Randy Meyer Racing’s Julie Nataas started her 2022 NHRA season with a quarterfinal finish this weekend at 62nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals after defeating Trevor Larkin in the first round.

 

Nataas started out qualifying with two tire-smoking efforts, but Randy Meyer dug deep for the final session and tuned her dragster to a 5.289-second pass at 277.20 mph.

 

Going into raceday in the No. 5 qualifying spot, Julie faced up against No. 12 qualifier Trevor Larkin. Julie crossed the finish line, going low the round, with a stout 5.214, 276.92 to defeat Larkin’s 5.539, 248.02. That run would give her lane choice over her second-round competitor Madison Payne. 

 

Second round, Julie unfortunately turned on the red light against Payne. Although she went red, Julie still laid down an exceptional 5.294, 241.41 to Payne’s 5.619, 221.38.

 

“I always love starting the season at my favorite track, but we didn’t have the weekend we wanted,” said Julie. “We struggled a little getting down the track in qualifying. Randy turned it around for our last qualifier and we were able to qualify in the top part of the field. Unfortunately, we had an early exit with a red light DQ. It was not the way I wanted to start the season. At least we know we have a really good car going into Belle Rose, LA this weekend.I have put the red light behind me and ready to put the OTG/Right Trailers/Lucas Oil dragster in the winners circle for the first time in 2022.”