The DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car team made significant progress last weekend racing to the semifinal round of the NHRA SpringNationals in Houston and driver J.R. Todd is confident he can build on that at the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway this weekend. The first win for the brand-new Toyota body style is still up for grabs and Todd would like to get a DHL double winning his first four-wide race in Charlotte and getting the first Supra Funny Car win.
“I would definitely like to get that first win with GR Supra Funny Car body,” said Todd. “To get it winning my first four-wide race in Charlotte would be pretty cool. We have won the four-wide in Las Vegas so I would like to get a win at both of Bruton and Marcus Smith’s race tracks.”
Last year Todd nearly grabbed the title finishing with a runner-up effort as the No. 4 qualifier. The unique format continues to be a challenge for all the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series competitors but Todd enjoys mixing the formats up.
“It keeps you on your toes,” said Todd. “I am glad we do it a couple times a year since I think a lot of fans enjoy it. There is a lot going on at the starting line and when four cars launch and stay hooked up it is an impressive sight for sure.”
The 2018 Funny Car world champion is looking for his first win at the track located 25 minutes north of Charlotte in the heart if NASCAR country. In addition to last year’s four-wide second place finish he has a runner-up finish at the fall Charlotte Nationals to his credit from 2018 in Funny Car and 2015 in Top Fuel.
“We have been close in Charlotte in the spring and the fall,” said Todd. “This is a great facility and the track is amazing. We get a ton of NASCAR guys at the track from other drivers to crew guys so that is cool to talk with them and show off a little.”
Todd has experience winning four-wide races considering he picked up back-to-back victories at zMax Dragway’s sister facility The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2018 and 2019. He remains the only Funny Car driver to have won two consecutive four-wide races.
“I got on a hot streak in Las Vegas for a couple years and that was great,” said Todd, 19-time national event winner. “It would be cool to say you won both four-wide nationals for sure. Our focus this weekend will be to just get the most out of qualifying since we get four runs and then just get down the track before at least two other guys.”
2021 NHRA Circle K Four-Wide Nationals Highlights: RUNNER-UP; Qual. No. 4; Beat Jim Campbell and Tim Wilkerson, Beat Mike McIntire and Terry Haddock; Lost to John Force
Last Event Recap (2022 SpringNationals): Qual 13; Beat Bob Tasca III, Jim Campbell; Lost to Matt Hagan
Career Stats: 260 events, 252 starts, 285 round wins, 19 wins, 40 finals, 14 No. 1 qualifiers; In Funny Car: 108 events, 108 starts, 10 wins, 20 finals, 137 round wins, 5 No. 1 qualifiers
2022 Results
Winternationals: Qual 8; Beat Bobby Bode; Lost to Ron Capps
Arizona Nationals: Qual 8; Lost to Alexis DeJoria
Gatornationals: Qual 11; Lost to Blake Alexander
Las Vegas1: Qual 9; Beat Tim Wilkerson and Jason Rupert; Lost to Ron Capps and Matt Hagan
Houston: Qual 13; Beat Bob Tasca III, Jim Campbell; Lost to Matt Hagan
Kalitta Motorsports PR
