J.R. Todd Leads DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car Team To Sonoma Nationals

Sonoma, CA – Only one other NHRA driver has enjoyed as much success at Sonoma Raceway as J.R. Todd when it comes to winning in Top Fuel and Funny Car at the Sonoma Nationals. Todd picked up two Top Fuel titles, winning in 2006 and 2016, and then added a Funny Car win in 2017 to join legendary driver Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, 1989 Funny Car winner and 1992 Top Fuel winner as the only two Nitro double-up winners. This year Todd and the DHL Toyota Camry team will be looking to add his second Funny Car win at the track and of the season with a win on Sunday in front of a packed set of grandstands.

“I am excited about the track being at 100 percent capacity,” said Todd. “I saw the news and that is what we need. A lot of the races we have been to so far this year they seem to be close to full capacity knowing that place can have full capacity I guarantee it will close to if not a sold-out crowd. That is awesome for NHRA and drag racing.”

The return to Northern California is also a welcome addition to Todd who missed racing at the track in 2020 when the race was cancelled due to the pandemic. With over two years between events the 2018 Funny Car world champion is eager to get back to one of his favorite race tracks.

“I have had a lot of success there,” said Todd. “Sonoma is one of my favorite tracks on tour for numerous reasons.  The staff does an amazing job. It is wine country and it is my friend Eric Medlen’s home race. I have lots of good memories there and any time I do well there that is who I think about.”

Two final round appearances this season have yielded a season opening win at the Gatornationals and runner-up finish at the Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals. In addition to those two strong races Todd and the DHL team have raced to an additional semifinal race. The team has only been ousted in the first round one time in eight races and their consistency has them sitting in the No. 4 spot in the Funny Car point standings just over three rounds out of second place.

2019 NHRA Sonoma Nationals Highlights (event not contested in 2020): Qual. No. 11; Lost to Matt Hagan

Last Event Recap (2021 NHRA Mile-High Nationals): Qual. No. 7; Lost to Bob Tasca III

Career Stats: 243 events, 235 starts, 262 round wins, 19 wins, 37 finals, 13 No. 1 qualifiers; in Funny Car: 91 events, 91 starts, 10 wins, 17 finals, 114 round wins, 4 No. 1 qualifiers

2021 Season:
Gatornationals: WINNER; Qual. No. 6; Beat Blake Alexander, Tim Wilkerson, Cruz Pedregon and Robert Hight
Las Vegas1: Qual. No. 9; Beat Cruz Pedregon and Jonnie Lindberg; Lost to Ron Capps and Bob Tasca III
Atlanta: Qual. No. 1; Beat Alexis DeJoria, bye; Lost to John Force
Charlotte1: RUNNER-UP; Qual. No.4; Beat Terry Haddock, Jim Campbell, Tim Wilkerson; Beat Mike McIntire, Terry Haddock; Lost to John Force, Beat Cruz Pedregon, Alexis DeJoria
Houston: Qual. No. 8; Beat John Force; Lost to Bob Tasca III
Epping: Qual. No. 9; Beat Cruz Pedregon, Lost to John Force
Norwalk: Qual. No. 9; Beat Mike McIntire, Lost to Ron Capps
Denver: Qual. No. 7; Lost to Bob Tasca III