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J.R. Todd Races to Semifinals at New England Dragway

Epping, NH – In a true testament to teamwork and hardnose racing J.R. Todd and the DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car team battled for three days to race to a semifinal finish at the New England Nationals today in Epping, New Hampshire. Throughout qualifying Todd and his DHL team battled a tricky track and rolled into race day as the No. 10 qualifier. Their best run of qualifying was a pedestrian 4.288 second pass which the team knew they could improve on in race day.

In the first round facing No. 5 qualifier Blake Alexander Todd knew he would need to be at the top of his game. Both Funny Cars left together and Todd kept it hooked well past half-track as his opponent lost traction early. It was not a picture-perfect run, but it was enough for the 2018 Funny Car champion to get a win light and advance to the second round. His winning time of 4.118 seconds did not give him lane choice, but it was his quickest run of the weekend.

In the quarterfinals racing veteran and former world champion Cruz Pedregon Todd’s 11,000 horsepower DHL Toyota Supra continued to step up. Todd was able to outrun the No. 4 qualifier with a 4.019 second pass at 318.24 mph and advance to the semifinals. Todd was in control of the race the entire length of the track with Todd keeping his race car glued to the centerline groove.


Unfortunately, even though Todd and his DHL Toyota team made another huge performance jump it was not enough to get around the No. 1 qualifier and advance to the final round of the New England Nationals. Todd was first off the starting line with a strong .054 reaction time advantage but as the finish line closed in Todd’s opponent was able to just get a nose out in front for the win.

“Bummed the win light didn’t come on, but from the way we started the weekend to now, that’s a win in itself,” said Todd, after the semifinal finish. “Probably one run short of where we needed to be, but proud of these guys on this DHL GR Supra team – proud of all of their hard work. They overcame a lot of struggles this weekend and we picked up some points today. I just want to win one of these bad.”

The final four finish held Todd solidly in the Funny Car Top Ten in the No. 6 spot after eight national events. The Thunder Valley Nationals in two weeks will be the next chance for Todd and the DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car to race to the winner’s circle.

Statistics:
Qualified: No. 10 (4.288 sec., 221.85 mph)
Bonus points: 0

Race Details:

First Round
Qual    Driver                                                  RT        ET        MPH
10        J.R. Todd                                             .062     4.118   282.72 (W)
5          Blake Alexander                                 .063     4.626   184.02

Second Round
Qual    Driver                                                  RT        ET        MPH
10        J.R. Todd                                             .068     4.019   318.24 (W)
4          Cruz Pedregon                                     .052     4.670   182.03

Semifinals
Qual    Driver                                                  RT        ET        MPH
10        J.R. Todd                                             .054     3.981   321.58
1          Matt Hagan                                        .062     3.963   325.69 (W)

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