ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 14, 2023) – Julie Nataas, driving the Randy Meyer Racing (RMR) Oslo Tapet & Gulvelegg (OTG) Top Alcohol Dragster and representing the Central Region of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series (LORDS) won the JEGS Allstar title for the third consecutive year. Nataas accomplished her goal of winning the race in a less dramatic fashion, after losing the car’s body during last year’s JEGS final.
“To even qualify for the Jegs Allstars is a big deal so for us to win it three years in a row is pretty cool. I’m glad it was less dramatic than last year. We have a body and ready to go for the rest of the race this weekend,” Nataas remarked.
The JEGS Allstars program highlights top performers from each division and each class in the LORDS. After the 2022 JEGS Allstars victory, Nataas was locked into the 2023 field of eight racers in the TAD class. The event took place at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis for the past few seasons, but it was added to the extensive slate of events at the NHRA Texas FallNationals Stampede of Speed in 2023. The FallNationals is already a prestigious event and typically plays an important role in championship battles across all classes. Now is the time for teams to capitalize on every run and catch some momentum for the final National and Divisional events of the season.
Competition in the TAD class has been extremely tight during the regular NHRA season and the JEGS Allstars field of eight was no exception. During the first elimination round, Nataas ran 5.221 seconds at 278.17 mph to defeat Jackie Fricke’s 5.243 at 278.38. The first-round performance missed lane choice for the semifinals by 0.052 of a second, Nataas and the OTG team had some ground to make up to take on Shawn Cowie. They rose to the challenge and put together a 5.159 at 280.51 along with Nataas’ 0.037 reaction time to clench a holeshot victory over Cowie’s 5.155 at 278.86. The 5.159 was still not enough to earn lane choice in the final as Mike Coughlin ran 5.152. Ultimately, the OTG team proved to be the most consistent car in the field and posted a 5.185 at 279.90 for the win in the final against Coughlin’s 5.276 at 273.24.
Winning the 2023 JEGS Allstars could provide the momentum Nataas and the OTG team need to finish the season strong and claim the TAD National Championship. Currently, Nataas is the points leader in the National Championship standings and intends on extending that lead in Texas. No points were earned from the JEGS Allstars competition.
Nataas still has unfinished business at the FallNationals. She qualified fourth in the 18-car field and has already completed two rounds of regular eliminations.
Nataas recalled last year’s outing in Texas, “what a difference a year can make. Last year we didn’t even qualify to race here in Texas and today we have been running in the teens to get our third Jegs Allstars win.” First round was competed Saturday morning before the finals of JEGS. Nataas lined up against Joey Severance and ran 5.162 at 279.61 to his 5.207 at 264.35 to move on to the quarterfinals. She was scheduled to run RMR teammate Matt Sackman but he was unable to make the call due to a parts failure on the car, Nataas made the bye run and clicked it off early. She will face Cowie again in the semifinals on Sunday.
