Meet the Yella Fellas – DHL Funny Car Crew

Get to know the crew whose expertise, teamwork and dedication keep J.R. Todd’s Funny Car race-ready.

Dickie Venables

Dickie Venables

Crew Chief

Dickie Venables, a four-time NHRA Funny Car championship-winning crew chief, joined Kalitta Motorsports in 2025 to lead tuning operations for J.R. Todd’s DHL Toyota GR Supra. With championship victories alongside Tony Pedregon and Matt Hagan, Venables brings decades of experience in engine tuning, race strategy, and performance optimization to the team.

Todd Smith

Todd Smith

Crew Chief

A veteran NHRA tuner and former crew chief for the team, Smith returned in 2026 to work alongside Dickie Venables. He helps oversee engine tuning, mechanical setups, and race-day adjustments to maximize performance and consistency on the track.

Chris Forton

Chris Forton

Car Chief

Forton oversees race car preparation, maintenance, and mechanical operations, working alongside crew chiefs Dickie Venables and Todd Smith to ensure the car is ready for competition and performs consistently throughout each race weekend

Mike Morris

Mike Morris

Cylinder Heads

Mike inspects, maintains, and prepares the engine’s cylinder heads to support efficient combustion, reliable power delivery, and consistent performance throughout each race weekend.

Tanner Meyer

Tanner Meyer

Superchargers/ Electronics/ Fabrication

Meyer assists with race car preparation and mechanical upkeep, helping ensure the vehicle remains race-ready and performs consistently throughout the NHRA season.

Isaac Wynalda

Isaac Wynalda

Rods and Pistons

Wynalda inspects, assembles, and maintains the engine’s connecting rods and pistons, helping ensure reliable power delivery and consistent performance throughout each race weekend.

Isaiah Taylor

Isaiah Taylor

Short Blocks/Bottom End

His work includes supporting race car assembly, mechanical repairs, and chassis preparation to keep the vehicle ready for NHRA competition.

Matt Mays

Matt Mays

Clutch

By fine-tuning the clutch system to manage power delivery and traction, he helps the dragster achieve smooth launches, strong acceleration, and consistent performance on the track.

Caleb Betten

Caleb Betten

Clutch Assistant

Working alongside the clutch specialist, he assists with clutch adjustments, component inspections, and trackside servicing to help optimize power delivery, traction, and acceleration during NHRA competition.

Sam McNea

Sam McNea

Racks/Floater

Sam McNea oversees piston and connecting rod assemblies. As a floater, he steps in wherever additional assistance is needed, helping the team work efficiently during servicing and race-day operations.

Careers

Join the Team

Join the Kalitta Motorsports team and be part of a championship-driven organization built on passion, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence. Explore career opportunities and help us continue pushing the limits on and off the track.