Julie Nataas drove her OTG / NGK Spark Plugs / Right Trailers Top Alcohol Dragster to the final round quad at the 21st annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals this weekend for the Randy Meyer Racing Team. On her way to the finals, she defeated heavy hitters such as Kim Parker, Mitch Myers, Mike Austin, and James Stevens.
Julie qualified in the number 2 spot with a first round matchup against James Stevens, Kim Parker, and Mitch Myers. In the history-making first Top Alcohol Dragster four-wide national event, Julie had an impressive .035-second reaction time and with her quickest pass of the weekend, she drove all the way to the first round victory with a 5.225, 269.51 mph. James Stevens’ 5.303, 269.03 mph advanced to the second round quads with Nataas.
Heading into the second round, Julie staged up against Jackie Fricke and James Stevens; competitor Mike Austin was a no-show in this round of eliminations. Comparable to the first round, Julie had a sizable reaction advantage over all competitors in her quad and used a 5.242, 269.62 to cross the finish line first. Jackie Fricke’s 5.242, 275.73 mph followed close behind and advanced to the final round quad with her.
In the final quad at the Las Vegas, Nevada-based track, the Randy Meyer-tuned dragster remained consistent with a 5.263, 273.22 mph. At the top end, Nataas crossed the finish line third behind winner Shawn Cowie and runner-up Jackie Fricke.
“We debuted the new OTG, Right Trailers, NGK Spark Plugs wrap on my car this weekend, and I’m so happy with how it turned out and I was blown away by the feedback,” said Julie. “I couldn’t be happier with my first 4-wide experience. We had a consistent car all weekend long and I didn’t have any mishaps on the starting line. In fact, I don’t think anyone had for our first 4-wide race. I’m glad I had NGK Spark Plugs by my side this weekend powering us to another final round. I look forward to another 4-wide race in a few weeks with the Randy Meyer Racing Team at the NGK NTK 4-wide Nationals in Charlotte.”
The Randy Meyer Racing Team’s next event, originally planned for this weekend in St. Louis was just announced to be postponed to the Fall. The team will regroup at their headquarters in Kansas City, and will compete next at the NHRA Lucas Oil Southern Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia on April 30 – May 2.
