Nearly one year ago, Ida Zetterström made her Top Fuel debut in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota. Fast forward to today, the multi-time European champion has not only made a mark on the American drag racing scene but has also built a strong reputation as one of the most driven and dynamic personalities in the pits.
With a fierce dedication to maximizing her performance both on and off the track, the Finnish racer has racked up 16 NHRA appearances, earned a semifinal finish in her debut, and even took home National Dragster’s “Best New Talent”award via fan vote. As she heads back to the track where her U.S. Top Fuel journey began, we sat down with Zetterström to reflect on the highs, the hurdles, and her hopes for the road ahead.
What moment made you feel like you belonged in the NHRA?
“During my debut in Brainerd, I felt so welcomed by all the teams. A lot of drivers gave me words of encouragement. One moment that really stood out was when Jack Beckman came up to me and said, ‘You handle press interviews like you’ve been doing this for years. Way better than I did when I started.’ And I mean, he’s one of the best. Moments like that mean a lot to me.
I had that feeling again the next weekend at the U.S. Nationals. There were championship contenders who didn’t qualify – and we did. Then we won first round. That back-to-back showing made us feel like this is where we belong.”
What’s something you wish you knew going into your debut season?
“I hadn’t realized how much of a difference it makes when a car is specifically built for you. My car in Europe was built for Leah Pruett – we’re similar in size. But the one here was built for Tony Schumacher. So we’ve spent a lot of time adjusting my position, learning the parts, and making small changes to get the fit and feel just right. That takes time, especially when you’re not racing every weekend.
Your proudest achievement so far?
“Winning National Dragster’s ‘Best New Talent’ at PRI last year meant a lot. It was a fan vote, and to feel like fans see our potential – that’s huge. I was up against an incredible rookie class. We only raced 8 of 20 events, so winning something like that really validated what we’re building.”
How do you keep pushing when the odds are stacked?
“This is the hardest thing I’ve done in my life. But knowing how far we’ve already come keeps me going. I know we’re not far off. We’ve qualified at every event we’ve entered – against the best in the world, teams with more experience and bigger budgets. That says something.”
What’s your vision for the future?
“Hopefully, a year from now we’re talking about racing full-time with a fully funded, multi-year deal. That would give us the stability to build a long-term championship strategy instead of chasing race-to-race funding. I’d also love to look back at some big wins.”
Any dream collaborations?
“I’ve always loved animals and I’d love to work with a charity that supports animal welfare. Beyond that, I want to bring a non-endemic brand into the NHRA and help them activate in a way that makes a real impact. There’s such an untapped market here – if we can bring a fresh brand into the sport and build something meaningful together, that would be a dream.”
On working with JCM Racing and Joe Maynard:
“I’m so grateful that Joe saw something in me. He wasn’t even looking for a driver at the time – he built an operation around me. He’s trusted me with a big role, from day-to-day operations to sponsor negotiations. That kind of trust means everything. I’ve also really enjoyed working with the Jr. racers—we’re building something special.”
This story was originally published on August 7, 2025. 
