JULIE NATAAS
DREAM CHASER
T
HE FIRST STEP TO JULIE NATA AS GETTING NO-
ticed in the United States drag racing scene was networking,
something she did immediately upon taking the leap from
Norway to America in 2015.
She talks matter-of-factly about it now, but putting herself
out there was no easy task. “I was afraid to just start talking with people
and I still am,” Nataas admits.
It’s a tremendous tale of facing fears head-on to live out your dreams
and Nataas is in the midst of that right now. She enters 2019 ready for her
first full season in Top Alcohol Dragster driving for Randy Meyer Racing.
Nataas has 15 races scheduled “so far” for this year after competing in 10
a year ago while she finished her college degree in marketing at Antioch
University in Santa Barbara, California.
A one-year trial run in America is now going on its fifth year and Nataas
has no plans of slowing down.
She’s working for Meyer as a
marketing assistant and has
grand plans to one day run in
Top Fuel or Funny Car.
But her immediate goal in
2019? Grab her first career Top
Alcohol Dragster victory after a
string of near-misses and run-
ner-up finishes, including at the
Las Vegas four-wide race and
the NHRA World Finals in 2017.
“I’ve been close like six times
now,” Nataas says. “I feel like this
must be the year. I definitely feel
like a better driver, more expe-
rience and I feel more comfort-
able in the car. I know that first
win is going to come.”
The daughter of European/
FIA and NHRA Top Fuel racer Thomas Nataas, Julie Nataas began her
own racing career in Jr. Dragster in 2005 when she was nine years old. By
2013, she was in Super Comp and a year later, Nataas won the European
Drag Racing Series Central Division and was second in the European
Drag Racing Series.
Nataas dabbled in other forms of racing, but she kept coming back to
drag racing and after graduating high school, she took the bold leap to
Santa Barbara.
“I moved to America with racing in my mind. It’s something I wanted
to do full-time,” Nataas says. “When I moved here, my plan was only to
stay for a year and then see what happens. But after a year, I didn’t want
to go back to Norway.”
Nataas admitted it was a difficult first six months as she uprooted her
life across the world. Going to races and trying to network was daunting,
but Nataas was motivated to make her dream a reality.
She credits fellow European friend Jonnie Lindberg, who currently stars
in NHRA Funny Car, for introducing her to Meyer, and Nataas jumped at
the opportunity, even as she was nervous racing without her father around.
But it’s turned into a perfect match, as Nataas has shown her talent while
Meyer has already had a tremendous impact in her career.
“They’ve really taken me under their wing and I feel part of the whole
family,” Nataas says. “I’ve been really happy racing with them. When I
started with them, for some reason I felt really comfortable. They’ve
treated me like family.”
With an ideal comfort level established, Nataas has been able to thrive
as a driver, posting career-bests of 5.11 at 280 mph, all while balancing
school and racing. Having graduated last September, Nataas’ focus is now
on driving and grabbing wins,
leaning on Meyer’s long history
of expertise and teaching.
Nataas has also meshed well
with Meyer’s daughters, Megan
and Rachel, who have enjoyed
successful careers in the TAD
ranks as well.
“If I have a question I can
go to any of them, and Randy
has taught me a lot of things
to improve my reaction times,”
Nataas offers. “I had good re-
action times in Europe, but it’s
a different car here. He’s really
helped me to focus in the car. It’s
been a perfect fit.”
Nataas, though, isn’t done
dreaming. Her ultimate dream
was once competing in NHRA
Top Fuel, but after watching Lindberg in Funny Car, Nataas said she
would be open to that class as well. She hopes to get her license in the
next couple of years, continuing to serve as an inspiration to her fans in
Europe. Nataas has encouraged more to take the chance she did, but not
many may be able to match her drive and determination.
With her marketing degree and social media skills, she’s shown savvy on
and off the track. Most importantly, though, she’s shown the penchant to
compete on the highest level and Nataas isn’t afraid of whatever challenge
lies in her path.
“This is what I’ve dreamed about and it’s so cool,” Nataas says. “My goal
has always been to compete and race for a championship in a Top Fuel
dragster, but I’m open to be in a Funny Car, too. I know it’s hard, but this
is my goal, my dream.” - JOSH HACHAT
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