Rachel Meyer and Julie Nataas competed at the 2020 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series North Central Regional event in Indianapolis this past weekend and had a record-breaking weekend, including taking home the event win and runner-up.

 

The Randy Meyer Racing Team entered the Indy Summer Spectacle event with Rachel Meyer behind the wheel of the NGK Spark Plugs dragster, only the second time in 4 years that Rachel has driven the Top Alcohol Dragster normally driven by Megan Meyer. Rachel ran a quick 5.22 ET at 280 mph for the opening session of qualifying, the first time for Rachel to reach the 280 speed. Her teammate, Julie who was driving for VP Racing Fuels, had severe tire shake in the first session and had to click it off early. Julie went on to run a 5.34 ET during the second session to make the 8-car field.

 

Rachel solidified her lead in qualifying with a 5.17 ET at 285.5 mph during the second session, setting a new personal record for both time and speed, and she is now the fastest female and second fastest driver in the entire NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster class.

 

“It was awesome. It was a rush, I loved how excited it made me feel after every pass driving this car and I was even more excited after that pass. Going down the track I knew it was on a great pass.,” Rachel said.

 

Both girls did not improve in the third session, and headed into first round from the first and sixth positions. Rachel got the win over David Jordan running a 5.26 ET at 279 mph, the quickest and fastest pass of first round, and Julie also got the win over Shawn Cowie running a 5.38 ET before winning against Duane Shields in the semi-finals with an improved 5.29 ET.

 

 

Rachel took down Mike Bucher in the semi-finals with a 5.24 ET at 279 mph to face off against Julie in the final round. This was the first time that the girls have gone head-to-head in the finals. Julie had the starting line advantage over Rachel, but Rachel chased her down and had the lead by half track to win the race with a 5.27 ET at 283 mph over Julie’s 5.34 ET.

 

“It was such a great weekend out in Indy,” said Rachel. “For there to be 13 great cars at the track and we were able to get both our cars to the finals, you just couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. My only goal this weekend honestly was to finally break into the 280mph. I knew the car could do it and my crew (my uncle, my mom, and me) never had any issues between rounds. My biggest worry in eliminations was not going red. I knew the car was there I just didn’t want to mess up as a driver, so my lights weren’t the best this weekend but they weren’t bad. Both crews did an amazing job and It was cool to finally race against Julie. Hopefully we can keep the momentum at the U.S. Nationals since we will have all 3 cars at the track and not to mention will be racing the Jegs Allstars with all three. I can’t wait to be back out there with the family and friends doing what we love.”