Todd, Brown Lead Toyota In NHRA Maple Grove Qualifying

MOHNTON, PA – J.R. Todd qualified in seventh in Funny Car, while Antron Brown did the same in Top Fuel to lead Toyota into Sunday’s NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, the opening race of the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

Todd ran a 3.916 at 330.31 mph in his final run to jump up to seventh. He’s one spot ahead of fellow Camry driver Alexis DeJoria, who placed eighth with a 3.940. The two Toyota drivers will meet in the opening round of eliminations on Sunday.

Brown was the quickest Toyota Top Fuel driver, moving up to seventh after registering the fourth-quickest pass of the final qualifying session with a 3.731-second pass at 329.34 mph. He will face Leah Pruett on Sunday.

Doug Kalitta qualified ninth in Top Fuel and will square off against Justin Ashley, while Shawn Langdon will race Mike Salinas after earning the 11th seed.

Sunday’s NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series eliminations will be televised on FS1 beginning at 2 p.m. (ET).

Quotes:

J.R. Todd, DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car: “We needed that run last night. We just battled some fuel pump issues. Now we need to go out and win. That’s our goal for ever yone of these Countdown races. We need to get as many points as possible right out of the gate.”

Antron Brown, Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel dragster: “I’m super proud of my team. We’re getting better and better with every run and we like the progress we made in qualifying in getting quicker each lap. We’re looking forward to race day tomorrow, but hate that we have to race our teammate, Leah (Pruett).”