Ida Zetterström, driver of the JCM Racing Top Fuel Dragster, will make her first competitive appearance at Firebird Motorsports Park during this weekend’s NHRA Arizona Nationals. Zetterström, a sophomore season racer on the NHRA Mission Foods Series circuit, is eager to turn experience gained during preseason testing into success on the Arizona strip.
“We’re eager to get back on the track and have the opportunity to get our season started off on a strong note,” said Zetterström. “Between weather affecting us in Gainesville, where we only had the two qualifying runs, and then running early on Sunday when a lot of teams struggled to get down the track, it was just a weird weekend overall, and we didn’t feel like we got the shot at it that we had wanted.”
Although Zetterström is new to competing at the Arizona Nationals, she previously logged track time at Firebird Motorsports Park during her initial test session with JCM Racing in early 2024.
“Although Phoenix is yet another one of the tracks I’ve never raced at, I’ve actually made passes down this track during my first-ever test session with JCM Racing on the Monday following the race last year,” she noted. “So at least I have had some runs there, even though it was with a completely different set-up.”
A multi-time European drag racing champion, Zetterström relocated to the U.S. in early 2024, making her American Top Fuel debut with JCM Racing at the Brainerd event and competing in the final eight races of the previous season. As she settles into her second year in Top Fuel, Zetterström and her team continue refining their approach and building confidence.
“We are still working on improving things in our program, which makes me as a driver feel better in the car, and I’m very excited about that,” said Zetterström. “I just need to let it take its time, and when we have everything come together, I think I’m going to feel more confident in the car than I ever have.”
Zetterström will also engage with fans during several scheduled events at Firebird Motorsports Park, including participating in the Match Game with Jason Logan at the Nitro Alley Stage on Friday at 11 a.m., followed by autograph sessions at the Dodge midway display on Friday at 1:15 p.m. and Saturday at 10:15 a.m.
With the Arizona Nationals marking her second of three consecutive planned events, Zetterström remains hopeful about securing additional race funding to complete a fuller season schedule.
“We’re still working really hard to fill in those races that are missing from our schedule and hope that we can have good news to share soon,” she added.
Event Schedule:
- Friday, 11 a.m.: Match Game with Jason Logan (Nitro Alley Stage)
- Friday, 1:15 p.m.: Dodge driver autograph session (Dodge midway display)
- Saturday, 10:15 a.m.: Dodge driver autograph session (Dodge midway display)
This story was originally published on March 20, 2025. 
