NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Ida Zetterström isn’t just here to race—she’s here to make waves. The European drag racing standout has stormed into NHRA Top Fuel competition with one mission: to prove she belongs among the best in the world.

With a championship pedigree in FIA Top Fuel and a growing fanbase on both sides of the Atlantic, Zetterström’s transition to NHRA has been anything but quiet. During the Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Chicago, she made her NHRA.tv broadcast debut, working from the top end and in the booth.

The reaction from fans was instant and passionate. “People were reaching out saying they loved seeing me on the stream, but I was ‘on the wrong side of the mic,’” Zetterström said with a smile.

“They wanted me in the seat, not the booth.” Thanks to a combination of sponsor support and help from Joe Maynard and JCM Racing, Zetterström was able to return to competition for another race. The opportunity was more than just a one-off—it was a signal that her team is committed to building toward something bigger.

“Our partners and this whole JCM operation want nothing more than to have us out here full time,” she explained. “We’re all working really hard to make it happen.”

While 2026 has always been the target for a full-season campaign, Zetterström is focused on adding more races to her 2025 schedule. Running part-time presents challenges—limited data, reduced track time, and fewer opportunities to fine-tune the car—but the team is pushing to maximize every lap.

“We had a great car in Charlotte, and we want to keep that momentum going,” she said. “The more we race, the better we get. I feel like we’re so close to where we need to be.” Zetterström’s dual role as a driver and on-air talent adds a unique layer to her NHRA story. While fans have embraced her in both capacities, there’s no question where her focus lies.

“We’ve got a great team,” she said. “If we get the support to run more races, I know we can be really dangerous out here.” From strapping into a Top Fuel dragster to stepping behind the mic, Ida Zetterström is proving she’s a force in every lane of the sport—and she’s just getting started.

Fans can expect Zetterström’s to campaign her Top Fuel dragster at six more races, as well as joining the NHRA broadcast team for another six races on NHRA.tv in 2025.