J.R. Todd added another accomplishment to his racing resume Saturday night, albeit for bragging rights only.
 
Todd was the first NHRA driver to take the checkered flag in the Gary Scelzi & Friends All-Star Challenge at Plaza Park Raceway in Visalia, Calif.  The 25-lap main event on the fifth-mile clay oval featured Todd, Scelzi, Del Worsham, Morgan Lucas, Ron Capps and Cory McClenathan and was a fundraiser for the track.
 
The drivers competed in 600cc Mini-Sprints before what Todd said was a “good crowd.  We signed autographs for about two hours. J.R. Todd added another accomplishment to his racing resume Saturday night, albeit for bragging rights only.
 
Todd was the first NHRA driver to take the checkered flag in the Gary Scelzi & Friends All-Star Challenge at Plaza Park Raceway in Visalia, Calif.  The 25-lap main event on the fifth-mile clay oval featured Todd, Scelzi, Del Worsham, Morgan Lucas, Ron Capps and Cory McClenathan and was a fundraiser for the track.
 
The drivers competed in 600cc Mini-Sprints before what Todd said was a “good crowd.  We signed autographs for about two hours.
 
“We had a lot of fun,” added Todd, who began a planned restart on lap 11 from the pole position and held first place the rest of the way.  “We drew for positions for the restart and I get No. 1.  Once I was out in front, no one could catch me.
 
“I got a good workout . . . driving one of those cars takes its toll on your upper body.  I thought if I could keep up with Scelzi and Capps, I’d be doing good.”  He did and he was.
 
Scelzi, whose son Dominic competes regularly at the track, also planned a special donation to D.R.A.W., the Drag Racing Association of Women.