Drag Illustrated Issue 151, December 2019 | Page 98

30 UNDER 30 / 2019
VICTOR ALVAREZ
JULIE NATAAS
■ JULIE NATAAS IS SWEET, spirited and stunningly beautiful,
but don’t let that fool you – she’s become quite mean on the drag strip.
She closed out the 2019 season of NHRA’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series
with the NHRA North Central Region championship and a well-earned
top 10 position in the national standings after claiming her first four
NHRA wins all in one year, including the Top Alcohol Dragster trophy
at the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte.
Ultimately, Nataas would like to follow in her father’s footsteps and
race Top Fuel, but the young woman who patiently worked her way up
through Jr. Dragsters to Super Comp, Top Dragster and even a stint in
a door car knows that it will take time and effort to get there.
“The dream goal has always been and still is to be in a Top Fuel drag-
ster full time. I’m hoping to get my license within maybe the next year
or two, then. Maybe we’ll go from there,” Nataas says.
The Norway native – now residing in Santa Barbara, California, after
completing a marketing degree at Antioch University – is relatively new
to racing on American soil. Nataas was connected with the Randy Meyer
Racing team several years ago by friend and fellow European-born drag
racer Jonnie Lindberg and began racing with the team full time in 2019.
Drag racing has been a large part of her life since she was a kid, though.
Her dad, Thomas, raced Top Fuel in Europe throughout her childhood.
“My dad is my go-to person for everything,” she says. “He’s my best
friend and my dad at the same time. He took me and my brother to
[Pomona,] California for our first race when I was 11, and I remember
seeing all the Top Fuel dragster drivers and being like, ‘Oh my gosh, this
is so cool; I want to be like them.’”
The 23-year-old’s insatiable appetite for racing, though, wasn’t lim-
ited to the drag strip in the early days of her career. Nataas was 9 when
she launched into Jr. drag racing after pleading for a long while to be
allowed the privilege. Immediately, she felt connected with driving and
later would try her hand at go-karting and Formula Basic, racing all three
forms of motorsports at the same time until it came down to a decision.
“It came to a point where I had to choose which one to stick with,
and I chose drag racing,” she says. “I like the rush and thrill of it. It’s
what I’ve always done, it’s always been in the family and it’s what I
love.” – K E L LY WA DI
D E DI DI
■ OF ALL THE HATS Victor Alvarez has worn throughout his
time in drag racing, track owner may be the one that fits the best. The
ambitious New Yorker has always had a keen eye for the business side
of the sport, and now he’s helping take Bradenton Motorsports Park to
new levels. He took over as co-owner of the Florida track nearly two
years ago, buying out the other partner a year ago to become sole owner.
Alvarez has created his own events, brought all ages to the track and
sees a bright future for Bradenton – giving him a well-deserved spot on
the 30 Under 30 list for 2019.
“I’ve worn so many hats in this sport, from drag racer to shop owner to
promoter to now track owner, and I really try to understand every aspect
of the business,” Alvarez says. “I understand what the racer wants, what
the spectator wants and drag racing flows through my veins. I really just
want to make drag racing great.”
Drag racing has been Alvarez’s passion since his childhood, working in
his dad’s automotive shop and attending races at Long Island Dragway.
His family moved to Florida in high school and the first dragstrip he
went down was Bradenton.
Alvarez formed a close relationship with previous owner Alan Chervitz,
and after opening his own performance shop, Alvarez convinced Chervitz
to hold his own event, FL2K. The roll racing, streetcar race is a smashing
success at the track, and Alvarez also developed the “Cleetus and Cars”
event with YouTube star Garrett Mitchell. Both have become huge events,
bringing a different demographic to the dragstrip.
“We’re bringing in people who have never been to a dragstrip before,”
Alvarez says. “I’m very open-minded to all forms of racing, bringing in
a younger demographic, and I firmly believe it’s great to introduce new
people to the sport.”
It’s led to a diverse schedule at Bradenton, and Alvarez remains indebt-
ed to Chervitz for taking him under his wing years ago. With a lineup that
also boasts the Snowbird Nationals, the U.S. Street Nationals, NMRA
and NMCA events, and much more, Alvarez couldn’t be happier.
“Honestly, it’s still surreal,” Alvarez says. “It’s the coolest job in the
world. Every business has its stress, but I’ve had the same feeling about
the track since the first time I’ve been there. When I pull in to the track,
I’m just happy.” – J O S H H AC H DI
AT DI DI
DI DI DI DI
DI DI DI
DI DI DI DI
DI DI DI
98 | D r a g
I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com
Issue 151