J.R. Todd experienced a tough month of March. Houston's triumph provided an opportunity to cheer.The trials began with the abrupt departure of tuner Jimmy Walsh and just last week the passing of close friend Eric Medlen. Today was the completion of his most crucial mission ever.

"You bet your ass it was mission accomplished," said Todd. "All week long I worried how long it would take me to win a race so I could dedicate it to Eric and John Force Racing. I want to win every race and every final round I am in. I know Eric was looking down on us. We needed it for sure."

J.R. Todd experienced a tough month of March. Houston's triumph provided an opportunity to cheer.The trials began with the abrupt departure of tuner Jimmy Walsh and just last week the passing of close friend Eric Medlen. Today was the completion of his most crucial mission ever.

"You bet your ass it was mission accomplished," said Todd. "All week long I worried how long it would take me to win a race so I could dedicate it to Eric and John Force Racing. I want to win every race and every final round I am in. I know Eric was looking down on us. We needed it for sure."

The victory marked Todd's fifth career victory in six final round appearances. It also marked his first under the tuning guidance of Jim Head and Johnny West.

"I had to treat it like any other final round," Todd said. "I've never wanted to win a race as bad as I did today. I wanted to prove that we could win after Jimmy went over to Bernsteins. I think a lot of people thought it was over for us. We have a great bunch of guys and a great team. That is what it takes."

Todd was prepared for the demands of racing thoroughly, but when it came to the emotional aspects - he was unprepared. He admitted there was no formal training to prepare him for the emotional demands of losing a fellow racer.

"You can never prepare yourself for something like that," Todd said. "Eric was one of my best friends at or away from the track. I was there on Monday when he crashed and with him through the whole ordeal. It hurts you to see your buddy like that. You never expect something like that to happen to someone close to you. We know the dangers within our sport and I think sometimes we may take it for granted. You always realize those things can happen.

"You have to just get all of those bad thoughts out of your head and get back to business in that race car."

Todd has admitted that he wouldn't mind jumping in a Funny Car someday. After all, that was what Medlen wanted.  

Todd first met Medlen when working as a crewman for Bob Gilbertson.

"He knew that I had driven in the past and always pushed for me to get in a Funny Car," Todd said. "I used to hang out with him over at Force's a lot after the races."

One day in Indianapolis, Medlen's wishes came true.

"A couple of years ago I got to make a pass in testing," Todd said. "Eric had run in front of me. I was doing the burnout and was backing up when I saw him coming up the return road. As I was staging, I looked over and he jumped up on the wall to watch me.

"He was stoked when I got this driving job with Dexter Tuttle. I am so grateful that we got to share the victory in Sonoma together."

Todd shared the Winner's Circle last year in Sonoma with Medlen.  He did so again in Houston.