Reigning FIA European Top Fuel champion Ida Zetterström’s rookie campaign in NHRA Top Fuel started off on a strong note at the NHRA Brainerd Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, where Zetterström raced to a semifinal finish aboard her red, white, and blue JCM Racing/VP Racing Fuels/Edelbrock/COMP Cams/Dodge Top Fuel dragster.
 
As one half of the first pair in Top Fuel’s first qualifying session, Zetterström laid down a respectable 3.809-second pass at 326.87 mph to go to the No. 11 spot. She encountered traction issues early in her second qualifying attempt and clicked it off. Zetterström ran a 3.825 E.T. in the third session on Saturday, then stepped up to a 3.789 E.T. at 324.36 mph to wrap up qualifying. Despite the improved performance she ended up No. 14 on the final qualifying order, making her the 21st woman to qualify for an NHRA race in Top Fuel. 
 
Zetterström’s first race day in NHRA competition started with a first-round match against four-time world champion and No. 1 qualifier Steve Torrence. The rookie grabbed a major starting line advantage and charged to another weekend-best performance, a 3.773 E.T., to get the holeshot win over Torrence and his 3.75 E.T. The performance also tied Zetterström’s career-best E.T. set in FIA European Top Fuel competition.
 
“That was definitely a big matchup for us,” Zetterström said. “I can't lie and say I didn't have any nerves. I was definitely nervous, but I had a lot of trust in our team. I went in there trying to do my normal routine, and it paid off. We won on a holeshot. We still wanted to go a little quicker and faster. That run was important for me. It built confidence for us.”
 
The first-round win came with a bye run in the second round, all but guaranteeing Zetterström a trip to the semifinals. On the bye run, Zetterström cut a solid reaction time and launched hard, but lost traction and coasted across the finish line. In the semifinals, she accidentally left the starting line too early, activating the red light to end her Cinderella story. Knowing crew chief Jon Schaffer needed all the data he could get with the new car, Zetterström still made a full pass, a 3.84 E.T. at 323.81 mph.
 
“Obviously, the day didn't end the way we wanted it to,” Zetterström said. “I've never gone red before. For some reason, my foot went before my mind told me to. That was a surprise and felt kind of embarrassing, but we will look forward. We still made a solid pass to get data.”
 
Zetterström looked at the overall positives of the weekend, from the on-track success to the warm reception she received from the NHRA fans who packed Brainerd International Raceway and its infamous campground known as “The Zoo.” Throughout the weekend, Zetterström spent time with fans and passed out campaign pins and other giveaway items as part of her grassroots election-themed Rookie of the Year campaign.
 
“Coming in here, we only had one full pass in the car,” Zetterström said. “Obviously, making full passes three out of four times in qualifying was big for our team. We needed that data. That was super important. Seeing all the fans here at Brainerd and out in 'The Zoo' has been fantastic, seeing the support, and also just how incredible this place is with people really loving to go here.”
 
Zetterström’s rookie campaign with JCM Racing will continue Aug. 28-Sept. 2 at the 70th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. The marquee event is now Zetterström’s home race, as she moved to nearby Avon, Ind., earlier this year to pursue her American Top Fuel dream.