Veteran nitro Funny Car driver J.R. Todd didn’t enter race day at the New England Nationals Sunday with any momentum – none at all.
On his final qualifying pass Saturday, his Kalitta Motorsports DHL Toyota Supra suffered an engine explosion around half-track, and his team worked until nearly midnight making repairs.
Still, Todd, the 2018 NHRA nitro Funny Car world champion, saw the glass half full.
“Hopefully, we can salvage that PBRC (Precision Built Race Cars) chassis for (Sunday) and unload another GR Supra and dig deep and come out of here with the trophy. That’s the plan,” Todd said after his run.
Todd was prophetic.
On Sunday, he walked away with a Wally.
Todd clocked a 3.888-second elapsed time at 332.43 mph in the finals to claim the victory over Spencer Hyde who slowed to 5.098 seconds at 161.88 mph.
“You want to talk about patience? I almost ran out of it on the starting line (in the final round). I flinched probably three or four times and did everything but red light,” Todd said. “Tree comes on, and I’m like, ‘Oh s—, I’m late!’ I never saw him (Spencer Hyde). Next thing you know, I’m over by the wall and (I said), ‘I aint lifting until that win light comes on.’ Sure enough, it came on. I’m glad we got that out of the way for (crew chief Dickie Venables’) sake.
“I’m not saying there was pressure on him, but people expect you to win when you hire a guy of his caliber. I never said anything before this weekend, but coming here, I knew he and (Matt) Hagan won a lot here so I was pretty excited. At the same time, we’re still in the learning stages with what we’re doing here.”
Hagan leads Epping’s nitro Funny Car win chart with four victories in 2017-19 and 2022.
Todd qualified No. 10 at 3.922 seconds, and proceeded to mow down Cruz Pedregon, Phil Burkart, Alexis DeJoria and Hyde for the race title. This was Todd’s first victory with Venables.
This was Todd’s 22nd career NHRA Wally and 13th in nitro Funny Car. He also has nine career Top Fuel Wallys on his shelf. This was his first career victory at New England Dragway.
Todd last won a national event in 2024 when took the title at the season-opening Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.
With the victory, Todd climbed to sixth in the points standings, and he trails fifth-place Ron Capps by just three points.
Todd also was quick to dedicate the race to late championship driver Scott Kalitta.
“This win is for Eddie (Scott Kalitta). We had the celebration (Eddie’s Lobsterfest) last night in Scott’s honor, and this one’s for him,” Todd said. “I have to thank Connie (team owner Connie Kalitta) for giving me the chance to drive Scott’s car. My guys are the best in the business. I say it all the time, but I truly believe I have the best crew out here. They dig deep and work their asses off. They deserve this.”
By reaching the semifinals, Todd earned a spot in his first Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge of the season next week at the Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn., set for June 6-8.
During Saturday’s qualifying sessions – June 7 – the drivers who reached the semifinals in New England will re-run the semis there, and shoot for earning additional purse and championship bonus points in the finals.
“With Eddie’s Lobsterfest, I was bummed that my guys didn’t get to take part in it because they were working away. Everybody ate all the lobster and steak, and there was some cold food for them when they got done,” Todd said. “They reminded me of that today. They were making jokes about catching on fire yesterday, ‘Hey, maybe we should do this every week.’ I don’t think so, but to win, whatever it takes. They keep it fun over there. Getting a trophy is the only way to pay them back.
“Last night, a few of us were up in the lounge telling stories about Scott – that’s the reason we do that Saturday night. It’s in his honor, his memory. It’s Scott’s car; it still has his name on it, and it’ll forever be his car. I’m just the lucky one that gets to drive it. Days like today make you think there’s a higher power making things happen for you.”
