J.R. Todd Goes for Second Straight Win at Virginia
He's the feel-good Top Fuel story of the year, and J.R. Todd will be writing the next chapter at Virginia Motorsports Park in the inaugural Torco Racing Fuels Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park, Friday through Sunday.
Todd has come from unknown to unbelievable in an NHRA POWERade Series season that began with him missing four of the first seven races - and not qualifying at a fifth - to his stunning first victory at Denver (July 16). It continued with a win two weeks later at Sonoma, Calif., and returned Sunday when he won at Reading, Pa.
Three victories in 16 races and now a position in the top 10, it's something unthinkable three months ago for the driver of the SKULL Shine/Torco Racing Fuels dragster, owned by Dexter Tuttle and sponsored by SKULL Shine/Torco owner Evan Knoll.
"It's always good to go to the next race coming off a win," says Todd, a definite quick learner. "The way the car has been running in the last two races, I don't see why it shouldn't run like that in Virginia. As long as the track holds up, the air (atmospheric conditions) should be good. Hopefully we can pick up where we left off in Reading.
"We'd like to win one for Evan," Todd continued. "When he stepped up his involvement with us (13 races ago) we went from planning to race 10-to-12 times to making all the races. We'd like to keep on winning rounds so we can stay in the top 10, and maybe go a few positions higher, in the last three races the year.
"If we could have three SKULL Shine cars in the semifinals Sunday it would be a perfect weekend for Evan."
Todd, crew chief Jimmy Walsh and the crew had a nearly-perfect weekend at Reading. Todd qualified eighth, beat Cory McClenathan in the first round, Tony Schumacher in the quarterfinals, Dave Grubnic in the semis and Melanie Troxel for the big trophy and the check - while running a career-topping 4.494 seconds in the finale.
"It was good to finally get in the 4.40s. We've been trying to do that all season," Todd said. "It was the first time for me and Jimmy. Hopefully we have many more to come . . . starting in Richmond."
Todd has 879 points and is within 68 points of eighth place with races remaining.
"I definitely can't complain about the way things have gone this season," he said. "After missing four races and having the DNQ, to still be in the top 10 is great. And to have three wins under my belt in the battle for rookie of the year is definitely a dream season.
"To make up that much ground like we have just shows how good Jimmy Walsh and the rest of the guys on the crew are. They've worked their butts off and it has really paid off."
