Julie Nataas hasn’t raced a Nitro Funny Car since March, and apparently five months away from the NHRA tour is long enough for people to start wondering.
Retired? No. Pregnant? Nope. Done chasing a Funny Car career? Not even close.
“I’ve gotten just about every question possible over the last few months, so to clear things up: I’m not retired, I’m not pregnant, and I definitely haven’t given up,” Nataas said. “I’ve just been working behind the scenes to find the funding to go racing. I’m ready to get back to work.”
Work resumes on drag racing’s biggest stage.
Nataas will return to Del Worsham’s DC Motorsports Toyota GR Supra Funny Car for the Sept. 4-7 NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Hedingers Equipment will back the effort for Nataas’ first appearance since the NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville in March.
The time away hasn’t been by choice. The Norwegian driver has spent the months since Gainesville working on the business side of racing, trying to assemble the sponsorship necessary to turn occasional appearances into something more permanent.
“I’m really excited to finally be back in the race car,” Nataas said. “It’s been a long few months since Gainesville. I’ve been working hard on finding the right partners and putting together opportunities that make sense not only for one race, but hopefully for building something long term. I’m incredibly grateful to Hedingers Equipment for helping make it possible to get back out there at Indy.”
Hedingers isn’t a new name attached to Nataas’ career. Tim and Becky Hedinger supported her during her championship-winning Top Alcohol Dragster years with Randy Meyer Racing and have continued that relationship through her move into the Nitro ranks.
“Tim and Becky Hedinger at Hedingers Equipment have been part of my racing career for a long time, going back to my days with Randy Meyer Racing,” Nataas said. “Having people who have watched you grow as a driver and continue to believe in you as you take the next step means a lot. I’m proud to represent them on a Funny Car, especially at the U.S. Nationals.”
Richmond Gear, a season-long supporter of Worsham’s 2026 program, will also be represented at Indianapolis, along with Airmine and Elliott’s Custom Trailers.
For Nataas, Indy provides another chance to prove she hasn’t gone anywhere. The larger job remains finding enough backing to keep the Funny Car from sitting without her.
“I’m still working every day to find the right partners that will allow me to be at the track more,” Nataas said. “I want to race a Funny Car, and the goal is absolutely to put together a program that gets me behind the wheel more consistently.”
