J.R. Todd qualified fourth in Funny Car to lead Toyota into Sunday’s NHRA SpringNationals at Houston Raceway Park.
Todd ran in the top five of each of the four qualifying sessions during the weekend. The reigning world champion topped Saturday’s first session, was second in Friday night’s run with his weekend best of 3.903 at 326.08 mph, third in Saturday’s final session and fifth in Friday’s opening run. He earned a series-high six bonus points in qualifying during the weekend.
“Our DHL Toyota has been strong all weekend,” said Todd, the reigning Funny Car world champion. “We’re starting in a good position, but we need to stay focused tomorrow. After the rain today and the cooler weather expected on Sunday, conditions are going to change and nothing is ever easy in the Funny Cars.”
Todd, coming off a win at the most recent event in Las Vegas, will square off with Johnny Lindberg in the opening round on Sunday. He enters eliminations in third place in the Funny Car point standings.
His Kalitta Motorsports teammate Shawn Langdon registered his best pass of the weekend in Saturday’s final run with 3.948 at 315.19 mph. He will start from the 10th position and face Cruz Pedregon in round one. The two are currently battling for the tenth and final position in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
Top Fuel point leader Doug Kalitta, who is sporting primary sponsorship from Toyota this weekend, qualified eighth with a 3.727 at 323.04 mph. He races Terry McMillen on Sunday. He currently has a 3-0 mark against McMillen this season, with all three victories coming on holeshots.
Antron Brown earned two bonus points for being second-quick in Saturday’s opening session on the way to qualifying 11th and will match up with Mike Salinas. Richie Crampton placed 13th and will take on Clay Millican in eliminations.
Sunday’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series eliminations show set to be televised live on FOX beginning at 3:00 p.m. FS1’s NHRA in 60 will air Sunday from 6:00-7:00 p.m. (all times EDT).
| Toyota Drivers | NHRA SpringNationals Qualifying Results | Qual. (1st Rd. Opponent) |
| Top Fuel | Car | |
| Doug Kalitta | Toyota Top Fuel Dragster | 8th (McMillen) |
| Antron Brown | Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster | 11th (Salinas) |
| Richie Crampton | DHL Toyota Top Fuel Dragster | 13th (Millican) |
| Funny Car | Car | |
| J.R. Todd | DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car | 4th (Lindberg) |
| Shawn Langdon | Global Electronic Technology Toyota Camry FC | 10th (Pedregon) |
Toyota Session-by-Session Qualifying
| Funny Car | Q1 Time/Speed | Q2 Time/Speed | Q3 Time/Speed | Q4 Time/Speed |
| J.R. Todd | 3.963/316.30 | 3.903/326.08 (2) | 3.916/318.24 (3) | 3.914/321.19 (1) |
| Shawn Langdon | 4.002/319.14 | 3.979/314.68 | 3.981/318.47 | 3.948/315.19 |
| Top Fuel | ||||
| Antron Brown | 7.022/99.44 | 3.782/320.74 | 3.753/326.56 (2) | 3.780/317.27 |
| Doug Kalitta | 3.761/321.19 | 3.727/316.45 | 3.781/299.53 | 3.732/322.19 |
| Richie Crampton | 5.346/125.71 | 3.780/317.19 | 4.863/149.31 | 3.789/320.81 |
(#) – Bonus Points Earned
Bold= Driver’s quickest pass during qualifying
Toyota Racing PR
