J.R. Todd Turns Focus to Brainerd

Topeka, KS – Through two days of qualifying J.R. Todd and the DHL Toyota GR Supra battled hot temperatures and tricky track conditions. At the conclusion of Saturday’s two qualifying sessions Todd posted runs quick enough to land him just outside the top half of the qualified field sitting in the No. 8 spot out of fourteen Funny Cars at Heartland Motorsports Park. His quickest elapsed time of qualifying 3.986 seconds at 323.50 mph set him up with a first round match-up against Toyota teammate Alexis DeJoria.

On Sunday morning looking to advance to his second consecutive final round of the season and at Heartland Motorsports Park Todd, last year’s Topeka finalist, was eager to get the first round underway. The two Toyota GR Supras executed their burnouts and they rolled in to stage their 11,00 horsepower racecars. In advance of the tree flashing DeJoria leapt off the starting line -.049 early triggering a redlight disqualification. Todd made a smooth quick pass in his lane. Unfortunately, during the post-race technical inspection process, NHRA officials disqualified Todd’s run due to one of the headers being out of tolerance by a small margin.

Todd and the DHL Toyota GR Supra will be back on track in one week at the Brainerd Nationals. Todd will remain in sixth place in the Camping World Drag Racing Series point standings with two races remaining in the regular season.

Statistics:
Qualified: No. 8 (3.986 sec, 323.50 mph)
Bonus points: 0

Race Details:

First Round
Qual    Driver                                                  RT        ET        MPH
8          J.R. Todd                                            DQ
7        Alexis DeJoria                                       Foul   (W)