Shawn Langdon Seeks NHRA Hat Trick in Maryland; J.R. Todd Ready to Resume NHRA Consistency; Doug Kalitta Wants Inaugural Maryland Win
DHL GR Supra driver makes first-ever appearance at Maryland International Raceway
MECHANICSVILLE, MD — J.R. Todd heads to Maryland International Raceway this weekend tied for the top spot in NHRA Funny Car points, bringing renewed confidence and a consistent DHL GR Supra to the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals Presented by JEGS.
Todd is knotted with Ron Capps at the top of the Funny Car standings, with the pair holding a nine-point advantage over Matt Hagan heading into Race 7. With teammate Shawn Langdon leading Top Fuel, Team Kalitta holds the points lead in both professional categories.
The 2018 NHRA Funny Car Champion has been a model of consistency through the season’s first six races, posting a runner-up, three semifinal finishes, and two No. 1 qualifiers. He has qualified in the top six positions four times.
This weekend marks Todd’s first visit to MIR as an NHRA competitor, though he noted the facility has hosted nitro cars before and expects the local fanbase to be ready for the moment.
“It’s refreshing to have some success in this early part of the season. The team morale is completely different than it has been in years past just because I feel like we all know that we have a car that’s capable of going down the track every time we drag it to the starting line. The DHL GR Supra has been really consistently making good runs, and we definitely have a car that’s capable of running with the front runners — which is something we haven’t been able to do in years past. It’s not like we’re the odds favorite at every race, so we have to keep our heads down and just keep doing what we have been — trying to win races.”
“Valdosta had never had an NHRA nitro event, but I know Budds Creek (Maryland International Raceway) had some national events with nitro cars in the past, so they’ve been exposed to it. It’s still different scenery they don’t always have at Budds Creek — all the biggest names in drag racing are there for the fans to check out. It’s what a lot of fans have been watching on TV. Now, they have the opportunity to come out and watch it live and in person and they’re grateful for it. Hopefully, we can put on a good show for them.”
“It’s pretty cool to have fans coming over and saying, ‘thank you for being here.’ We definitely enjoy that, and you can tell from the ones that are regulars going to different races throughout the season that it’s their home event and they’re proud to call it their home turf and love having us there. We love it when they come out and support us as well.”
“Nothing’s guaranteed by any means, but knowing that you have a car that is capable of winning against anybody out there gives you more confidence as a driver. We haven’t had that in a while so it’s just a different feeling, a different mentality in the whole DHL pit area. You never count your chickens before they hatch — we haven’t won yet, but I feel like if we keep going to the later rounds, wins will come eventually.”
The NHRA Potomac Nationals Presented by JEGS is Race 7 of 20 on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule. Qualifying airs Friday and Saturday, May 29-30, from 7-8 p.m. ET on FS1. Finals coverage runs Sunday, May 31, from 3-6 p.m. ET on FOX.
J.R. Todd Career Stats: 343 events, 22 wins, 28 runners-up, 375 round wins, 16 No. 1 qualifiers.
Photo courtesy: Kalitta Motorsports
