The DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car and J.R. Todd will be heading into the Virginia Nationals looking to improve on their 2019 performance. The last time Todd and the DHL Toyota team hit the track at Virginia Motorsports Park they raced to a runner-up finish as the No. 4 qualifier. That day Todd had the Funny Car to beat, but in the final round his Toyota overpowered the track so severely the parachutes deployed and his race car never made it to the finish line.
“We definitely want to get one more win light this weekend in Virginia,” said Todd. “They have a lot to passionate fans there and the last time we raced there we almost got the win. This weekend will be tricky with the weather, but I know these DHL guys will be ready when the time comes.”
Todd and his new look DHL GR Supra Funny Car have been steadily making improved runs as the team get accustomed to the new body design. The entire organization including Todd was involved in the redesign which has the 2018 Funny Car world champion excited about the performance possibilities.
“We hadn’t had a new body design in a long time so this Supra design was a longtime coming,” said Todd. “I am a lot more comfortable in the race car and I can see a lot better. You are seeing the performance results starting to come around too. I would love to get that first Supra Funny Car win this weekend.”
The last three races have seen Todd race to two quarterfinals and a semifinal at the Houston SpringNationals. His efforts in Houston racing from the No. 13 spot to the final four gave the veteran driver confidence heading into the rest of the season. Two weeks ago at the final four-wide national event of the season Todd advanced to the second quad on the strength of his No. 6 qualifying effort.
“You look at what we did in Houston racing to the semifinals and that race gives me a lot of confidence,” said Todd. “We didn’t get it right in qualifying but on race day we went to the semis and had a car that could race with anyone. Now that we are back to traditional side-by-side racing we are going to be a team to contend with. (Crew chiefs) Todd (Smith) and Jon (Oberhofer) have been doing a great job and we just need a few things to go our way.”
A strong group of Funny Cars will be on the scene in Virginia looking to stand between Todd and his 11thwin in the Funny Car category. Qualifying will begin on Friday night with two sessions on Saturday. Final eliminations begin at noon ET on Sunday with the race broadcast starting at 6:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
2019 NHRA Virginia Nationals Highlights: RUNNER-UP; Qual. No. 4; Beat Bob Tasca III, Shawn Langdon, Jonnie Lindberg; Lost to Ron Capps
Last Event Recap 2022 Circle K Four-Wide Nationals: Qual 6; Beat Dale Creasy Jr, Chad Green; Lost to Ron Capps, Mike McIntire
Career Stats: 261 events, 253 starts, 286 round wins, 19 wins, 40 finals, 14 No. 1 qualifiers; In Funny Car: 109 events, 109 starts, 10 wins, 20 finals, 138 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
Charlotte1: Qual 6; Beat Dale Creasy Jr, Chad Green; Lost to Ron Capps, Mike McIntire
