The DHL Toyota GR Supra team and driver J.R. Todd were looking to chase down one more win light on race day on the heels of their runner-up finish in 2021. Last year in the fall Todd lost a close race to Toyota teammate Alexis DeJoria and this weekend the 2018 Funny Car world champion was looking to secure four win lights. Two tough days of qualifying on a tricky track had the DHL Toyota Funny Car team headed into race day as the No. 11 qualifier.
In the opening round Todd faced multi-time champion Cruz Pedregon in a tough first round match-up. In one of the closest races in the first round of Funny Car Todd dropped a close race with his quickest run of the weekend. Todd and his DHL Toyota team stepped up and posted a 4.168 second pass but it wasn’t enough for Pedregon’s slightly quicker 4.148 second run.
“We just got a little behind the eight ball in qualifying,” said Todd. “That first round run was solid and we just lost a close drag race. There were a lot of close races today and I am looking forward to getting to Norwalk. I know that first round pass is something we can build on.”
Two weeks ago Todd raced to the semifinals and his solid run in the first round gives the 10-time Funny Car national event winner confidence going into the summer races.
“We are just past the halfway point of the regular season and we are sixth in the points I think. The guys in front of us are within a few rounds. We can get on a roll in Norwalk and the Western Swing and we in a great spot.”
The Norwalk Nationals will get underway on Friday, June 24, with two qualifying sessions at Summit Motorsports Park.
Statistics:
Qualified: No. 11 (4.390 sec., 222.51 mph)
Bonus points: 0
Race Details:
First Round
Qual Driver RT ET MPH
11 J.R. Todd .062 4.168 283.25
6 Cruz Pedregon .049 4.148 302.89 (W)
Kalitta Motorsports PR
