INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 31, 2023) – Julie Nataas and her Randy Meyer Racing (RMR) Oslo Tapet & Gulvelegg (OTG) Top Alcohol Dragster team enter the biggest drag race of the season, the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, sitting third in the national points standings just one point behind second and 10 out of the lead.
Nataas, who is chasing a milestone career 30th victory, already locked up a regional championship with four victories at Gainesville Raceway in Florida, Texas Motorplex in Dallas, Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio and most recently, Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kansas. Nataas opened her season by sweeping the event at Gainesville Raceway, adding the national event Gatornationals victory to her regional win.
Nataas is familiar with success at Indianapolis Raceway Park, she is the defending event champion and No. 1 qualifier. En route to both her No. 1 spot and weekend win, Nataas celebrated winning the JEGS Allstars Top Alcohol Dragster crown on Saturday night. She got the victory in the specialty race in dramatic fashion shedding the body panels of her OTG dragster at the fishline. The RMR team had to drive a new body from their headquarters in Olathe, Kansas in order for Nataas to have the chance to earn her No. 1 spot and the U.S. Nationals Wally.
“I’m not sure if anything can top what we did here last year, but nothing beats the excitement, nerves, emotions and atmosphere that the U.S. Nationals brings. I’m excited to be back in Indy and I’m ready to defend last year’s win, hopefully in a less dramatic fashion and since JEGS Allstars has been moved to Dallas this year so we ‘only’ have the U.S. Nationals Wally to focus on. We need some more points to get the nationals points lead back and we’re hoping we can get it done this weekend,” Nataas said. “Last year’s wins were extra special because my dad was here. It was my dad’s first Wally and our first win together since I last won in Norway before I moved in 2015. He’s coming back this weekend so I’m ready to share another nerve wracking emotional and exciting weekend with my dad.”
Nataas begins the defense of her Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals championship title at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park with qualifying Friday at 12:10 and 3:30 p.m. and Saturday at noon. Eliminations begin Sunday with first round at 10:30 a.m. Semifinals will be competed Monday at 1:15 p.m. with the finals being run at 2:30 p.m.
