6.36 Jack Beckman and Julie Nataas Talk St Louis, Experience, and a Top Fuel Debut

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast, host Brian Lohnes is joined by Funny Car veteran Jack Beckman and Julie Nataas, the 2023 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Top Alcohol Dragster Champion who will be making a Top Fuel debut at the NHRA Midwest Nationals this weekend. The two have very different stories but awesome insights to what motivates them and what they hope to achieve at Worldwide Technology Raceway. 

For Jack Beckman, earning points weekly for John Force is still a dream come true. His longstanding relationships with not only the Force family but people like Chris Cunningham who is one of his JFR crew chiefs is a source of pride and comfort. Jack talks about his role in the success of the Peak Blue DEF funny car in this Countdown, what it will take to move up in the points, and how he may treat any future opportunities.

Julie Nataas is making a hotly anticipated Top Fuel debut with the Scrappers team this weekend in a second car and she talks about the long road to get to this point. Touching on her career, licensing, the business grind of drag racing, and the motivation to do it all, she paints the picture of a determined racer who has fought the good fight for this moment to happen. She does not plan to waste it. 

A full throttle and fun episode to get pumped up for what should be a wild weekend at Worldwide Technology Raceway.