J.R. Todd, DHL GR Supra Funny Car
2025 Route 66 NHRA Nationals Recap: Qualified No. 4; lost to Cruz Pedregon.
J.R. Todd Career Stats: 342 events, 22 wins, 28 runners-up, 374 round wins, 16 No. 1 qualifiers.
Current Points Position: 1
Pre-Race Notes:
Pre-Race Quotes:
“It’s great to lead the points; it’s been a while since I was able to say that, but it’s a long season. You want to stay up there in the top five going into the Countdown to the Championship (NHRA Playoffs), which is a long time from now, but hopefully we can keep this going, get some wins along the way and let it eat those last six races of the year. It’s early in the year to be talking about points, but I’m still keeping track of it.
“Nothing’s easy out here, especially in the Funny Car category. The hard work back at the shop and the changes we made in the off season got us here. It all starts with Connie and Chad (Team Owner Connie Kalitta and General Manager Chad Head) allowing us to get what we need to come out here and compete with the top dogs. We have two brand new PBRC race cars (Precision Built Race Cars), different parts and pieces, bringing Todd Smith back – all of that together is contributing to the success we’re having so far.
“Sitting in the lounge listening to Dickie and Todd (Crew Chiefs Dickie Venables and Todd Smith) saying what they’re trying to run, it’s pretty cool when they say it, and the car goes out there and does it. The only way I can repay those guys for their hard work and effort in the off season is to go from point A to point B and put up good numbers. We’ve been running big speeds in the last two races, and that shows we’re making good power. It’s just a matter of how we manage that power. Kudos to Dickie, Todd and the Yella Fellas.
“I want to win every time we show up at a racetrack. I feel like we could have a couple of wins at this point, but as long as we keep going to the later rounds, I’ll be happy. Maybe we save those wins in the bank for when we really need them later in the year, but we’re going out there to win every race possible.”
Todd Photo Courtesy: Kalitta Motorsports
For J.R. Todd’s 2026 race-by-race results, please click here.
TV Schedule (All times eastern):
The post Points Leader J.R. Todd Chasing First NHRA Joliet Win first appeared on Team Kalitta Motorsports.
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2025 Route 66 NHRA Nationals Recap: Qualified No. 4; lost to Cruz Pedregon.
J.R. Todd Career Stats: 342 events, 22 wins, 28 runners-up, 374 round wins, 16 No. 1 qualifiers.
Current Points Position: 1
Pre-Race Notes:
- J.R. Todd leads the NHRA Funny Car point standings for the first time this year. He advanced to the final round at the NHRA Southern Nationals and holds the lead over Ron Capps.
- With Shawn Langdon atop the Top Fuel standings, Team Kalitta leads the points in both Top Fuel and Funny Car.
- Todd has a runner up and three semifinal finishes along with two No. 1 qualifiers in the season’s first five races.
- Todd has a runner-up finish at Route 66 Raceway but seeks his first win there this weekend.
- Todd is the 2018 NHRA Funny Car Champion and has 22 race wins in his career.
Pre-Race Quotes:
“It’s great to lead the points; it’s been a while since I was able to say that, but it’s a long season. You want to stay up there in the top five going into the Countdown to the Championship (NHRA Playoffs), which is a long time from now, but hopefully we can keep this going, get some wins along the way and let it eat those last six races of the year. It’s early in the year to be talking about points, but I’m still keeping track of it.
“Nothing’s easy out here, especially in the Funny Car category. The hard work back at the shop and the changes we made in the off season got us here. It all starts with Connie and Chad (Team Owner Connie Kalitta and General Manager Chad Head) allowing us to get what we need to come out here and compete with the top dogs. We have two brand new PBRC race cars (Precision Built Race Cars), different parts and pieces, bringing Todd Smith back – all of that together is contributing to the success we’re having so far.
“Sitting in the lounge listening to Dickie and Todd (Crew Chiefs Dickie Venables and Todd Smith) saying what they’re trying to run, it’s pretty cool when they say it, and the car goes out there and does it. The only way I can repay those guys for their hard work and effort in the off season is to go from point A to point B and put up good numbers. We’ve been running big speeds in the last two races, and that shows we’re making good power. It’s just a matter of how we manage that power. Kudos to Dickie, Todd and the Yella Fellas.
“I want to win every time we show up at a racetrack. I feel like we could have a couple of wins at this point, but as long as we keep going to the later rounds, I’ll be happy. Maybe we save those wins in the bank for when we really need them later in the year, but we’re going out there to win every race possible.”
Todd Photo Courtesy: Kalitta Motorsports
For J.R. Todd’s 2026 race-by-race results, please click here.
TV Schedule (All times eastern):
- Qualifying Show 1: 7:30-9 p.m. Friday, May 15 on FS1
- Qualifying Show 2: 11:30-12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16 on FS1
- Finals: 35-8 p.m. Sunday, May 17 on FS1
The post Points Leader J.R. Todd Chasing First NHRA Joliet Win first appeared on Team Kalitta Motorsports.
Continue reading...
