Todd claims first provisional Funny Car No.1 qualifier

INDIANAPOLIS (August 31, 2018) – Defending U.S. Nationals champion J.R. Todd earned his first provisional Funny Car no.1 qualifier at Indianapolis Raceway Park earlier this evening.

Todd’s DHL/WIX Filters Toyota Camry blazed the track in 3.910 seconds at over 325mph to lead the pack of 18 Funny Cars after the first session of qualifying at the world’s biggest drag race. 

“For us, three second runs have been hard to come by till Brainerd. We saw the light at the end of the tunnel, and then came here last week and tested and ran really well,” said Todd. “The Friday night run is key. We want to put on a show for the fans, and with the weather it is very important. When I drove by the scoreboard and saw the 3.910, I was like holy crap. I am so proud of my DHL/WIX Filters Toyota YellaFellas. Looking at the run data, Todd and Jon O said we got all of it, so that feels really good.”

This would be Todd’s first no.1 qualifier of his Funny Car career and 10th overall. It would also be his first no.1 qualifier in Indianapolis. If it holds, Todd would become the 19th driver in NHRA history with no.1 qualifiers in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. 

Todd’s Funny Car teammate, Shawn Langdon also made a solid run and is 5th in his special edition Global Electronic Technology Toyota Camry. In Top Fuel, Doug Kalitta’s Mac Tools ride is 8th and Richie Crampton’s CRAFTSMAN machine is 12th. 

Qualifying resumes with two runs tomorrow at 2pm and 5pm eastern standard time and is completed with two runs at 12:45pm and 4:30pm on Sunday.