The DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car team and J.R. Todd are fired up to be returning to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend for the NHRA Nevada Nationals. The track located 20 minutes north of the Las Vegas strip has been the site of some of Todd’s biggest wins and dominant performances. During his 2018 Funny Car championship season Todd won both the spring national event and the fall national event, the second win putting him the driver’s seat for his first Funny Car championship. The following spring Todd won the Funny Car title for the third consecutive time at the track. This season Todd would like nothing more than to turn on four win lights and capture his fourth win at The Strip.
“We had a great run here a few years ago and I would love to get another win streak started at The Strip,” said Todd. “These DHL Yella Fellas have been busting their tails all season and I know a win is right around the corner. This would be a great event to win and close out the season on a high note.”
In addition to his Funny Car success in Las Vegas, the versatile driver has three runner-up finishes in Top Fuel at the Nevada Nationals. Todd raced to the final round in 2016, 2014 and 2006. The success in both categories is something Todd is proud and appreciates.
“I started in Top Fuel and we had some success in Las Vegas but I love driving this DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car,” said Todd. “There is a lot going on when you hit the throttle in one of these Funny Cars. I love the challenge of driving this Toyota GR Supra Funny Car and this season has been a process getting more experience with the new body.”
Todd made his debut runs in the newly designed Supra at the Winternationals and throughout the season he has been instrumental making the new body perform at the highest level. He raced to the final round in Seattle at the Northwest Nationals during the Western Swing and has three additional semifinal finishes. Currently, Todd is sitting No. 8 in the Funny Car standings and with strong performances over the final two races he could easily move into the top five.
For the second race in a row Todd’s traditional yellow and red DHL Funny Car will be flying the pink livery promoting breast cancer research and raising awareness for men’s health in November. His primary sponsor DHL is also wrapping up a four race Feeding America promotion with Kalitta Motorsports. Todd along with Top Fuel teammates Doug Kalitta and Shawn Langdon are turning on win lights on Sunday to donate 20,000 meals to the national company focused on ending food insecurity in America thanks to donations from Kalitta Motorsports and DHL.
“I think we have donated about 180,000 meals over the first three races and I would love to turn on four win lights on Sunday and add another 80,000 meals to that total for Feeding America,” said Todd. “It is cool to have a sponsor like DHL who gives back to the community and I am glad Kalitta Motorsports and Kalitta Air are involved so actively.”
Todd and the DHL team will start working on getting win lights with four qualifying sessions, two each on Friday and Saturday. Final eliminations will begin on Sunday at 11 a.m. with FS1 broadcasting the race nationally.
2021 Nevada Nationals Highlights: Qual. No. 3; Lost to Paul Lee
Last Event Recap 2022 Texas Fall Nationals: Qual. 7; Lost to Paul Lee
Career Stats: 275 events, 267 starts, 299 round wins, 19 wins, 41 finals, 14 No. 1 qualifiers; In Funny Car: 123 events, 123 starts, 10 wins, 21 finals, 150 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 Qual. 7; Beat Jim Campbell; Lost to Robert Hight 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
Richmond: Qual. 5; Lost to John Force
Epping: Qual. 10; Beat Blake Alexander, Cruz Pedregon; Lost to Matt Hagan
Bristol: Qual. 11; Lost to Cruz Pedregon
Norwalk: Qual. 7; Beat Blake Alexander, John Force; Lost to Robert Hight
Denver: Qual. 6; Beat Cruz Pedregon; Lost to John Force
Sonoma: Qual. 10; Beat Tim Wilkerson; Lost to John Force
Seattle: Qual. 7; RUNNER-UP; Beat Blake Alexander, Bob Tasca III, bye; Lost to Robert Hight
Topeka: Qual. 8; Lost to Alexis DeJoria
Brainerd: Qual. 7; Beat Jim Campbell; Lost to Robert Hight
Indianapolis: Qual. 8; Beat Cruz Pedregon; Lost to Ron Capps
Reading: Qual. 6; Beat Chad Green; Lost to John Force
Charlotte2: Qual. 6; Lost to Alexis DeJoria
St. Louis: Qual. 10; Beat Alexis DeJoria; Lost to John Force
Dallas: Qual. 7; Lost to Paul Lee
Kalitta Motorsports PR
