Julie Nataas will drive Del Worsham’s Toyota GR Supra Nitro Funny Car at the NHRA U.S. Nationals, marking the 20th anniversary of one of the event’s most iconic performances.
In 2005, Worsham and his father, Chuck, produced a story that became part of Indy lore. Together they captured both the all-star shootout and the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals on the same weekend, a rare “double-up” that earned $225,000 in winnings and underscored the family’s ability to take on drag racing’s biggest names. Chuck Worsham called the tune-up, guiding his son to victory past Frank Pedregon in a dramatic Monday final that remains one of the highlights of his career.
That weekend made Worsham one of the sport’s most celebrated Funny Car drivers. Two decades later, he returns to Indianapolis not behind the wheel, but on the starting line as a team owner and tuner. His driver, Nataas, is no stranger to Indy success, and this Labor Day weekend she will carry the Worsham legacy forward in the most prestigious race of the season.
Nataas, the 2023 NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster world champion, has already built an impressive résumé in the sport’s developmental ranks. The 27-year-old from Oslo, Norway, has won two JEGS Allstars titles and captured the 2022 U.S. Nationals Top Alcohol Dragster crown. Now she will make her first start at Indy in Nitro Funny Car competition, one of drag racing’s most unforgiving categories.
“The U.S. Nationals means everything to a racer,” Nataas said. “I’ve had unforgettable moments here in Top Alcohol Dragster, but coming back in Del’s Funny Car with the backing of Airmine and Toyota, on the anniversary of his sweep, is incredibly meaningful. This event is full of history, and I can’t wait to add to that story again this year.”
The U.S. Nationals, often referred to as the “Big Go,” is NHRA’s longest-running and most prestigious event. The race draws the largest field of competitors each year, with nearly every top driver in the sport making the trip to Indianapolis. A victory here is considered a career-defining achievement, and for many, simply qualifying for the event is an accomplishment in itself.
Worsham’s 2005 sweep remains one of the race’s most memorable moments. Winning both the shootout and the main event in the same weekend is a feat that has been accomplished by only a handful of drivers. For the Worshams, the significance was heightened by the family connection, with Chuck calling the shots in one of the most emotional wins of their career together.
“That was a weekend I’ll never forget,” Worsham said earlier this year. “It was everything you dream about as a driver, to win Indy and do it with my dad. To look back and realize it’s been 20 years, it makes this year’s race really special.”
For fans, the storyline offers a rare convergence of past and future. On one side is the memory of Worsham’s double-up weekend, an achievement still talked about two decades later. On the other side is the emergence of Nataas, who has built her career step by step and now enters the sport’s biggest stage as a Funny Car driver.
The journey also reflects the changing nature of opportunities in drag racing. Nataas has steadily advanced through the ranks while balancing international commitments and a demanding travel schedule. Her partnership with Worsham represents not only her own dedication but also the willingness of established veterans to invest in the next generation.
With the U.S. Nationals set to begin Aug. 29, anticipation continues to build. For Worsham, it is a chance to reflect on one of the proudest weekends of his career. For Nataas, it is the opportunity to etch her name into the same history books that once elevated her new team owner.
“The Big Go is unlike anything else in drag racing,” Worsham said. “It’s the one race everyone remembers. To go back on this anniversary with Julie in the car, it’s special. We’re ready to go out there and make some memories.”
