J.R. TODD ROARS TO NO. 1 FUNNY CAR QUALIFYING POSITION IN ATLANTA

Written by Tracy Renck, photo by Roger Richards    Sat, 2021-05-01 17:55

 

J.R. Todd began the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series year in the strongest possible way, taking the Wally at the season-opening Gatornationals March 14, at Gainesville, Fla., in his Kalitta Motorsports DHL Toyota Camry nitro Funny Car.

Todd will try to make it two wins in three races when he starts in the No. 1 qualifying spot for the Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway Sunday as the historic venue hosts its final event before closing for good.

“I’m really proud of all of these DHL Camry guys,” said Todd in a Toyota Racing press release. “Those were some tough conditions out there today and we came out in the first run and made a great pass. Hopefully, we can keep this going Sunday and take home the last Wally from the Southern Nationals.”

Todd clocked a 3.982-second pass at 325.69 mph in Saturday’s first qualifying session to grab the 13th No. 1 qualifying position of his career.

Todd, the 2018 NHRA nitro Funny Car world champion, will meet Alexis DeJoria in round one.

This is Todd’s 230th career NHRA national event start between Top Fuel and Funny Car. This is his 86th start in Funny Car in NHRA and his fourth No. 1 qualifier in the class.

At the last event in Las Vegas, Todd qualified No. 9 and lost in the second to Ron Capps and Bob Tasca III at the Four-Wide event. Tasca III, who won the event in Las Vegas, qualified No. 2 with a 3.999-second run at 320.81 mph.

Todd, who came into the event second in the points standings, 21 points behind Tasca III. Each driver earned three bonus points Saturday.

“The season is a marathon, not a sprint, but you definitely want to get off to a strong start,” Todd said in a Kalitta Motorsports press release. “We got to some finals last year but didn’t seal the deal, so winning the first race was a great way to start the 2021 season. We are No. 2 in the points right now but we want to stay at the top all season long. This is a tough class, and you have to bring your best to the starting line every run.”

Todd also took a moment to discuss the fact that this is the final race in Atlanta Dragway’s history. The dragstrip was built in 1976 and in 1980 it became sanctioned by the NHRA.

“You hate to see any event drop off the schedule but to have the chance to be the last Funny Car winner of a race that has been around for 40 years would be awesome,” Todd said in a Kalitta Motorsports release. “A lot of legendary Funny Car drivers have won this race. We made some history with our Gatornationals win and I would love to get another big win on the East Coast.”

 

 
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