Race Information:
Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
Brainerd International Raceway; Brainerd, Minn.
TV Schedule:
Qualifying Show No. 1: 8-9:30 p.m. eastern Friday, Aug. 18, 2023 on FS1.
Qualifying Show No. 2: 1-2 p.m. eastern Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023 on FS1.
Finals: 4-7 p.m. eastern Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023 on FOX.
J.R. TODD ENJOYS SECOND HALF OF SEASON, LOOKS TO KEEP ROLLING FORWARD
2022 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Recap: Qualified seventh; defeated Jim Campbell before losing to Robert Hight in the second round.
J.R. Todd Career Stats: 290 events, 319 round wins, 20 wins, 44 final rounds, 14 No. 1 qualifiers
2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Results To Date:
Gainesville: Qualified sixth; defeated Blake Alexander, Robert Hight, Chad Green; lost to Matt Hagan in final.
Phoenix: Qualified 15th and lost to Alexis DeJoria in the first round.
Pomona: Qualified fifth and lost to Alex Laughlin in the first round.
Las Vegas: Did not qualify.
Charlotte: Qualified No. 6 but lost to Robert Hight and Mike McIntire in the first round.
Chicago: Qualified No. 3; lost to Bob Tasca in the first round.
Epping: Qualified No. 8; defeated Cruz Pedregon and Matt Hagan before losing to John Force in the semifinals.
Bristol: Qualified No. 7; lost to John Force.
Norwalk: Qualified No. 7; defeated John Force and Ron Capps before losing to Matt Hagan in the semifinals.
Denver: Qualified No. 7; defeated Tim Wilkerson and John Force before losing to Alexis Dejoria in the semifinals.
Seattle: Qualified No. 5; defeated Alex Laughlin, Cruz Pedregon and Chad Green before losing to Tim Wilkerson by .0522 seconds in the final round.
Sonoma: Qualified No. 8; defeated Blake Alexander, Bob Tasca, Matt Hagan and Chad Green earning his first win of the season.
Topeka: Qualified No. 7; defeated Chad Green and Ron Capps before losing to Matt Hagan in the semifinals.
Current Point Standings: Todd enters Brainerd in eighth place in the NHRA Funny Car point standings. He trails seventh-place Tim Wilkerson by 12 points and leads ninth-place John Force by 78 points.
2022 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Recap: Qualified seventh; defeated Jim Campbell before losing to Robert Hight in the second round.
J.R. Todd Career Stats: 290 events, 319 round wins, 20 wins, 44 final rounds, 14 No. 1 qualifiers
2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Results To Date:
Gainesville: Qualified sixth; defeated Blake Alexander, Robert Hight, Chad Green; lost to Matt Hagan in final.
Phoenix: Qualified 15th and lost to Alexis DeJoria in the first round.
Pomona: Qualified fifth and lost to Alex Laughlin in the first round.
Las Vegas: Did not qualify.
Charlotte: Qualified No. 6 but lost to Robert Hight and Mike McIntire in the first round.
Chicago: Qualified No. 3; lost to Bob Tasca in the first round.
Epping: Qualified No. 8; defeated Cruz Pedregon and Matt Hagan before losing to John Force in the semifinals.
Bristol: Qualified No. 7; lost to John Force.
Norwalk: Qualified No. 7; defeated John Force and Ron Capps before losing to Matt Hagan in the semifinals.
Denver: Qualified No. 7; defeated Tim Wilkerson and John Force before losing to Alexis Dejoria in the semifinals.
Seattle: Qualified No. 5; defeated Alex Laughlin, Cruz Pedregon and Chad Green before losing to Tim Wilkerson by .0522 seconds in the final round.
Sonoma: Qualified No. 8; defeated Blake Alexander, Bob Tasca, Matt Hagan and Chad Green earning his first win of the season.
Topeka: Qualified No. 7; defeated Chad Green and Ron Capps before losing to Matt Hagan in the semifinals.
Current Point Standings: Todd enters Brainerd in eighth place in the NHRA Funny Car point standings. He trails seventh-place Tim Wilkerson by 12 points and leads ninth-place John Force by 78 points.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (Aug. 15, 2023) – J.R. Todd’s season has undergone quite an evolution. He and his DHL GR Supra team went from pre-season title contender through a rough patch, and now, Todd has advanced to at least the semifinals at five of the last six races including a win and a runner-up finish. With two races remaining in the regular season, Todd is closing in on title-contender status. The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing season continues this weekend with the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Aug. 18-20 in Brainerd, Minn.
Todd won the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals in California last month; it was his first win in some two years, and it followed multiple semifinal showings and a runner-up finish. Last week’s semifinal finish in Topeka, Kan., was another step forward in the team’s resurgence. In stifling heat followed by a six-hour race-day rain delay, the team forged ahead. Despite his recent upward mobility, Todd is eighth in the NHRA Funny Car point standings, but with tight point totals all around, he could definitely make significant strides in the regular season’s final two races.
“It was a hot one in Kansas, and my guys continued to rise to the occasion,” Todd said. “We lost a close one (to Matt Hagan) in the semis, but we get to do it all over again in a few days - time to fight it out! It’s getting harder and harder to win in this class. The car is definitely turning the corner and going to the later rounds consistently. Our points don’t really reflect what we’ve done over the last month, but that doesn’t take anything away from the progress we’ve made.”
That fight, and hopefully the progress, too, will continue this weekend in Brainerd where Todd has yet to hoist a winner’s trophy. For the fourth time in as many races, Todd will compete in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge in a rematch of last week’s Topeka, Kan., semifinals and finals. To those competitors go the spoils of Countdown bonus points.
“We’re in the Mission deal (Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge) again on Saturday so we can earn some bonus points for the Countdown, and that can make a big difference,” Todd added. “We’re trying to win another race before the Countdown starts, and we have a car that’s capable of doing that. It shows the consistency of our car and that our team is definitely coming around; it means we’re going to the semis more than not, and if we can get two points out of it this Saturday, that would give us a round win’s worth of Countdown points (through Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge), and that could make a big difference. Either way, you just want to get as many points as possible before the Countdown starts.
“When you’re in Phoenix and places like that early in the season, you’re definitely aware of bonus points, but you aren’t counting them. Now, you start to pay attention to your position and how many guys are in front of you, but at the end of the day, you just have to win rounds and races and let the points fall where they may. It doesn’t really change the way that I approach driving as far as trying to win rounds, but I like when the intensity ramps up as the Countdown approaches. I don’t ever want the season to fly by, but in my opinion, the second half of the season is the best part.”
DOUG KALITTA, MAC TOOLS DRAGSTER READY FOR ANOTHER SHOT AT NO. 50
2022 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Recap: Qualified 10th; lost to Tony Schumacher in the first round.
Career Stats: 579 events, 750 round wins, 49 wins, 109 final rounds, 52 No. 1 qualifiers
2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Results To Date:
Gatornationals: Qualified third; defeated Spencer Massey, Antron Brown; lost to Steve Torrence
Phoenix: Qualified No. 1; defeated Rob Passey, lost to Shawn Langdon.
Pomona: Qualified 11th and lost to Antron Brown in the first round.
Las Vegas: Qualified 10th; lost to Steve Torrence and Josh Hart in the first round.
Charlotte: Qualified No. 6, lost to Leah Pritchett and Pat Dakin in the first round.
Chicago: Qualified No. 3; defeated Kyle Wurtzel, lost to Clay Millican.
Epping: Qualified 12th; lost to Leah Pruett.
Bristol: Qualified No. 6; defeated Clay Millican and Steve Torrence before lost to Antron Brown.
Norwalk: Qualified No. 4; lost to Dan Mercier in the first round.
Denver: Qualified No. 2; defeated Terry Totten, Josh Hart and Steve Torrence before losing to Clay Millican in the final round.
Seattle: Qualified No. 2; defeated Ron Smith, had a second-round bye and defeated Clay Millican before losing to Steve Torrence when the Mac Tools Toyota dragster smoked the tires during the final-round run.
Sonoma: Qualified No. 8; lost to Justin Ashley in the first round.
Topeka: Qualified No. 3; lost to Austin Prock in the first round.
Current Point Standings: Kalitta enters Brainerd in seventh place in the NHRA Top Fuel point standings. He trails sixth-place Austin Prock by 56 points and leads eighth-place Mike Salinas by 22 points.
2022 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Recap: Qualified 10th; lost to Tony Schumacher in the first round.
Career Stats: 579 events, 750 round wins, 49 wins, 109 final rounds, 52 No. 1 qualifiers
2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Results To Date:
Gatornationals: Qualified third; defeated Spencer Massey, Antron Brown; lost to Steve Torrence
Phoenix: Qualified No. 1; defeated Rob Passey, lost to Shawn Langdon.
Pomona: Qualified 11th and lost to Antron Brown in the first round.
Las Vegas: Qualified 10th; lost to Steve Torrence and Josh Hart in the first round.
Charlotte: Qualified No. 6, lost to Leah Pritchett and Pat Dakin in the first round.
Chicago: Qualified No. 3; defeated Kyle Wurtzel, lost to Clay Millican.
Epping: Qualified 12th; lost to Leah Pruett.
Bristol: Qualified No. 6; defeated Clay Millican and Steve Torrence before lost to Antron Brown.
Norwalk: Qualified No. 4; lost to Dan Mercier in the first round.
Denver: Qualified No. 2; defeated Terry Totten, Josh Hart and Steve Torrence before losing to Clay Millican in the final round.
Seattle: Qualified No. 2; defeated Ron Smith, had a second-round bye and defeated Clay Millican before losing to Steve Torrence when the Mac Tools Toyota dragster smoked the tires during the final-round run.
Sonoma: Qualified No. 8; lost to Justin Ashley in the first round.
Topeka: Qualified No. 3; lost to Austin Prock in the first round.
Current Point Standings: Kalitta enters Brainerd in seventh place in the NHRA Top Fuel point standings. He trails sixth-place Austin Prock by 56 points and leads eighth-place Mike Salinas by 22 points.
Doug Kalitta has been through it before. He knows the highs and lows of a sport that arguably produces more thrills for competitors and spectators alike than just about any other, and he knows hard work will eventually pay off. He and his Mac Tools Toyota team are hoping it will happen this weekend, in front of some of the sport’s most rabid fans. The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing season continues this weekend with the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Aug. 18-20 in Brainerd, Minn.
Another thing Kalitta knows about is the Wally – the trophy given to each NHRA winner. He’s received 49 of them and wants another as soon as possible. With two wins in four final-round appearances at Brainerd International Raceway and a team capable of producing winning performance, it could happen this weekend. Kalitta enters the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals following two final round appearances in the last four races. The trick is posting more of the former less of the latter.
“We’ve definitely had our highs and lows this season,” Kalitta said. “We’ve had some really good races that made everyone at Mac Tools, Toyota, Revchem and all our partners proud, and we’ve had some that weren’t as good. I know Alan, Brian (co-crew chiefs Alan Johnson and Brian Husen) and all my guys are doing everything they can every day to keep us moving in the right direction, and I’m super proud of them. We just need to get back to winning rounds so the race wins can follow. This Mac Tools team is an awesome group of guys with a great work ethic. That 50th win is out there – we just have to go get it.”
LANGDON, KALITTA AIR CAREERS TEAM STILL IN THE BATTER’S BOX, WILL KEEP SWINGING
2022 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Recap: Qualified 11th; defeated Leah Pruett before losing to Justin Ashley in the second round.
Shawn Langdon Career Stats: 322 events, 342 round wins, 17 wins, 38 final rounds, 19 No. 1 qualifiers
2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Results To Date:
Gainesville: Qualified 11th and lost to Antron Brown by two 10 thousandths of a second.
Phoenix: Qualified No. 8; defeated Antron Brown, Doug Kalitta and Leah Pruett; lost to Justin Ashley
Pomona: Qualified No. 7; defeated Tony Schumacher, lost to Brittany Force.
Las Vegas: Qualified No. 6; defeated Krista Baldwin and Clay Millican before losing to Steve Torrence and Josh Hart in the semifinals.
Charlotte: Qualified 11th, lost to Leah Pritchett and Pat Dakin in the first round.
Chicago: Qualified No. 6; lost to Clay Millican in the first round.
Epping: Qualified No. 2; lost to Tony Schumacher in the first round.
Bristol: Qualified 14th; lost to Steve Torrence.
Norwalk: Qualified 14th; lost to Brittany Force.
Denver: Qualified No. 9; defeated Greg Carrillo and Rob Passey before losing to Clay Millican in the semifinals.
Seattle: Qualified No. 8; defeated Antron Brown and Mike Salinas before losing to Steve Torrence by .0609 seconds in the semifinals.
Sonoma: Qualified No. 5; defeated Leah Pruett before losing to Josh Hart in the second round.
Topeka: Qualified No. 9; lost to Brittany Force in the first round.
Point Standings: Langdon enters Brainerd in 11th place in the NHRA Top Fuel point standings. He trails 10th-place Clay Millican by 60 points and leads 12th-place Tony Schumacher by 100 points.
As the regular season begins to wind down towards the Countdown to the Championship NHRA Playoffs, Shawn Langdon and his Kalitta Air Careers team need to get moving in hopes of finishing the regular season on a high note – and earning his first-career race win at Brainerd International Raceway would be a great way to get that done. The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing season continues this weekend with the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Aug. 18-20 in Brainerd, Minn. 2022 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Recap: Qualified 11th; defeated Leah Pruett before losing to Justin Ashley in the second round.
Shawn Langdon Career Stats: 322 events, 342 round wins, 17 wins, 38 final rounds, 19 No. 1 qualifiers
2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Results To Date:
Gainesville: Qualified 11th and lost to Antron Brown by two 10 thousandths of a second.
Phoenix: Qualified No. 8; defeated Antron Brown, Doug Kalitta and Leah Pruett; lost to Justin Ashley
Pomona: Qualified No. 7; defeated Tony Schumacher, lost to Brittany Force.
Las Vegas: Qualified No. 6; defeated Krista Baldwin and Clay Millican before losing to Steve Torrence and Josh Hart in the semifinals.
Charlotte: Qualified 11th, lost to Leah Pritchett and Pat Dakin in the first round.
Chicago: Qualified No. 6; lost to Clay Millican in the first round.
Epping: Qualified No. 2; lost to Tony Schumacher in the first round.
Bristol: Qualified 14th; lost to Steve Torrence.
Norwalk: Qualified 14th; lost to Brittany Force.
Denver: Qualified No. 9; defeated Greg Carrillo and Rob Passey before losing to Clay Millican in the semifinals.
Seattle: Qualified No. 8; defeated Antron Brown and Mike Salinas before losing to Steve Torrence by .0609 seconds in the semifinals.
Sonoma: Qualified No. 5; defeated Leah Pruett before losing to Josh Hart in the second round.
Topeka: Qualified No. 9; lost to Brittany Force in the first round.
Point Standings: Langdon enters Brainerd in 11th place in the NHRA Top Fuel point standings. He trails 10th-place Clay Millican by 60 points and leads 12th-place Tony Schumacher by 100 points.
Despite flashes of brilliance, the 2023 NHRA season is not playing out as planned for Langdon and his Kalitta Air Careers Toyota team, but anyone who’s spent significant time in Motorsports fully understand that things can change rapidly. With just this week’s race in Minnesota and the U.S. Nationals on Labor Day weekend remaining before the Countdown begins, the Kalitta Air Careers team simply needs to win rounds.
“We’re still in the batter’s box, and we’ll keep swinging until as long as the pitches keep coming,” the 2013 Top Fuel champion said. “We’re excited to get to Brainerd because it’s our next opportunity to go some rounds and get our season headed back in the right direction. We made some progress on the Western swing, but we have to keep working to get better. We’d love to have a couple of good races here at the end of the regular season to make our jobs a little easier in the Countdown. I know our guys are working as hard as they can to get us where we need to be.
“We’re also looking forward to going to Brainerd because it’s Brainerd – everyone loves racing there. They have some of the best fans in the world, and let’s just say they make the most of their time at the race track – they’re some of the rowdiest fans on the tour, and we love ‘em!”
