DHL Toyota and J.R. Todd Racing for Third U.S. Nationals Title
Indianapolis – Coming to the NHRA U.S. Nationals has been a Labor Day tradition for J.R. Todd for as long as he can remember. He has attended as a fan, 
as a crew person and as a driver in Top Fuel and Funny Car. The driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car is in elite company as a two-time back-to-back winner of this prestigious race. Todd took the title in 2017 and 2018 and last year almost raced to three finals in a row before bowing out in the semifinals.
“Winning Indy is a career event,” said Todd. “You look at the drivers that have won and they all talk about that win as being so special. I agree. When I won it in 2017 I don’t think it really sank in right away. Everyone who puts on a helmet and firesuit dreams of winning Indy. I want to get another U.S. Nationals win to raise my career to the next level.”
Only five other Funny Car drivers have won three U.S. Nationals titles and Todd would like to make it an even half dozen. The names are almost surely Hall of Famers and Todd would like to continue his career trajectory in that direction.
“You look at the drivers that have won three U.S. Nationals Funny Car titles,” said Todd. “John Force. Ed McCullloch. Snake (Don Prudhomme). Those guys are legends and then Robert Hight and Cruz Pedregon are on that list too. Also those guys have multiple world championships and I want to be on that level.”
The DHL Funny Car has been showing major improvements since the season restarted and that along with a positive test session prior to this weekend has Todd as optimistic as he has been all season. The past three races the team has qualified no worse than No. 5 and at the last race Todd was the car to beat on race day before he lost in the final.
“We didn’t get off to a good start at the first two races and we were hoping to turn things around in Gainesville but then everything went sideways,” said Todd. “We looked at the races in Indy as chance to get back on track and I think we have this DHL Camry in a great spot coming into the U.S. Nationals. A lot of people have been supporting us and giving us help so we want to pay them back with a win this weekend.”
In addition to the backing of DHL and Toyota Todd’s team has been buoyed by Mobil1 and NGK Spark Plugs as well as Wix Filters like the rest of Kalitta Motorsports. These associates and relationships are on Todd’s radar when he gets to the track since he knows they have stuck with the team through a very unusual season.
“This year has been a test for everyone and we just want to go out and show our sponsors we appreciate their support. The best way to do that is to win races and talk about how great their products are. I believe in every sponsor we have and that gives me a lot of confidence. My team led by Todd Smith and Jon Oberhofer give me an amazing Toyota Camry Funny Car and it is my job to do my best. This will be a busy and fun weekend for sure,” added Todd.
Last Event Recap (2020 NHRA Indy3 Nationals): RUNNER-UP, Qual. No. 5; Beat Mike McIntire, Cruz Pedregon, Paul Lee; Lost to Ron Capps
2019 US Nationals Recap: Indianapolis: Qual. No. 5; Beat Cruz Pedregon, Ray Martin; Lost to Jack Beckman
Quotable: J.R. Todd on racing for third U.S, Nationals title: “We are coming off a semifinal and runner-up finish in the past two races. I want to get four win lights on Sunday. We have a great race car and I have an amazing DHL Toyota team behind me.”
Career Stats: 229 events, 221 starts, 243 round wins, 18 wins, 34 finals, 12 No. 1 qualifiers; in Funny Car 77 events, 77 starts, 9 wins, 14 finals, 95 round wins, 3 No. 1 qualifiers
2020 Season:
Winternationals: Qual. No. 8; Lost to Time Wilkerson
Arizona Nationals: Qual. No. 9; Lost to Ron Capps
Indy1 NHRA Nationals: Qual. No. 4; Beat Alex Miladinovich, Alexis DeJoria; Lost to Tommy Johnson Jr.
Indy2 NHRA Nationals: Qual. No. 5; Beat Jim Campbell; Lost to Matt Hagan
Indy3 NHRA Nationals: RUNNER-UP, Qual. No. 5; Beat Mike McIntire, Cruz Pedregon, Paul Lee; Lost to Ron Capps
