Sweden’s Ida Zetterström continues to impress in her rookie U.S. Top Fuel campaign, qualifying No. 7 and laying down consistent laps at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals before falling in a hard-fought first-round battle to reigning champ Antron Brown.
Driving the JCM Racing dragster, Zetterström opened qualifying with a clean 3.754-second run and later stepped it up to a 3.730 at 331.45 mph. Her Sunday pass — a 3.739 at 323.12 mph — was solid but just short of Brown’s 3.718 winning shot.
“This one stings,” said Zetterström. “We had a parts malfunction that slowed us down just enough to make the difference. But we made two great qualifying runs when a lot of others were struggling, and that shows our program is headed in the right direction.”
Making her 16th NHRA Top Fuel start and first-ever appearance at Sonoma, the multi-time European champion noted the value of back-to-back events as she continues to build rhythm in her part-time schedule.
“Seattle was a bit of a test, and we applied what we learned here. We’re getting better, and we know there’s more in the tank.”
Zetterström and the JCM team now turn their focus to the upcoming Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd before tackling her second career U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.
This story was originally published on July 27, 2025. 
