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The SKULL Shine Top Fuel team of owner Dexter Tuttle and driver J.R. Todd should have a relaxed, rested look by the time the crew arrives at Maple Grove Raceway to prepare for the Toyo Tires Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, Sept. 15-17.
After eight consecutive weekends of NHRA (six races) and IHRA (two races) competition, the crew didn't work last weekend. That in itself is daunting for any team pursuing paying positions (one through 10) in NHRA POWERade Series competition, but the season-opening this crew's focus was on a 10-to-12 event schedule, period.
"I know the guys were looking forward to the time off," said Todd, the two-time event winner and solid NHRA rookie of the year candidate from Lawrenceburg, Ohio. He knows how they felt. He's not only the driver, but a fulltime crewman who understands the rejuvenating powers of successive days off.
"We only thought we'd be running that many races in about three months, not eight straight weeks," he added. "The wear and tear is not just on the guys; it's on the car and its parts and pieces. We found some problems in certain areas last week and we have them straightened out."
Although he's qualified for every race since SKULL Shine Car Care Products owner Evan Knoll began sponsoring the team, Todd's two wins (Denver, July 16 and Sonoma, Calif., July 30) came on the heels of solid performances that included two semifinal and two quarterfinal finishes.
At the time, the surprising team had climbed from 19th (its lowest when Knoll came to the rescue) to 12th and once was just a few rounds out of the top 10. But the effects of constant travel and weary parts resulted in three successive first-round losses. Where he was once 62 points out, Todd now finds himself 105 behind (at 20 points per round) No. 10 Cory McClenathan (710-815).
"I think we'll be alright for the last five races," added Todd. "All we need to do is get on a hot streak like we did before, getting to the semifinals and finals, and we can catch up. We'll be running hard for a solid position in points."
Crew chief Jimmy Walsh's tune-ups were consistent at Indianapolis two weeks ago when Todd posted qualifying runs of 4.598, 4.614, 4.597 and 4.585 seconds, the latter time putting him 16th in the quickest Top Fuel field in NHRA's 55 years. He lost to top qualifier and eventual race winner Tony Schumacher in the opening round with a 4.606.
"I've never raced at Reading but I know the track is usually pretty good and you can run quick times there," Todd said. "We've been running in the high 4.50s and we aren't that far away from what the other cars are running. We' ll get it together."
Qualifying runs are scheduled at 2 and 5 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday.
Eliminations commence at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Todd, SKULL Shine Team Ready for Run at Top 10
Rejuvenated SKULL Shine Top Team Prepared For Round Wins at Maple Grove Raceway
The SKULL Shine Top Fuel team of owner Dexter Tuttle and driver J.R. Todd should have a relaxed, rested look by the time the crew arrives at Maple Grove Raceway to prepare for the Toyo Tires Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, Sept. 15-17.
After eight consecutive weekends of NHRA (six races) and IHRA (two races) competition, the crew didn't work last weekend. That in itself is daunting for any team pursuing paying positions (one through 10) in NHRA POWERade Series competition, but the season-opening this crew's focus was on a 10-to-12 event schedule, period.
"I know the guys were looking forward to the time off," said Todd, the two-time event winner and solid NHRA rookie of the year candidate from Lawrenceburg, Ohio. He knows how they felt. He's not only the driver, but a fulltime crewman who understands the rejuvenating powers of successive days off.
"We only thought we'd be running that many races in about three months, not eight straight weeks," he added. "The wear and tear is not just on the guys; it's on the car and its parts and pieces. We found some problems in certain areas last week and we have them straightened out."
Although he's qualified for every race since SKULL Shine Car Care Products owner Evan Knoll began sponsoring the team, Todd's two wins (Denver, July 16 and Sonoma, Calif., July 30) came on the heels of solid performances that included two semifinal and two quarterfinal finishes.
At the time, the surprising team had climbed from 19th (its lowest when Knoll came to the rescue) to 12th and once was just a few rounds out of the top 10. But the effects of constant travel and weary parts resulted in three successive first-round losses. Where he was once 62 points out, Todd now finds himself 105 behind (at 20 points per round) No. 10 Cory McClenathan (710-815).
"I think we'll be alright for the last five races," added Todd. "All we need to do is get on a hot streak like we did before, getting to the semifinals and finals, and we can catch up. We'll be running hard for a solid position in points."
Crew chief Jimmy Walsh's tune-ups were consistent at Indianapolis two weeks ago when Todd posted qualifying runs of 4.598, 4.614, 4.597 and 4.585 seconds, the latter time putting him 16th in the quickest Top Fuel field in NHRA's 55 years. He lost to top qualifier and eventual race winner Tony Schumacher in the opening round with a 4.606.
"I've never raced at Reading but I know the track is usually pretty good and you can run quick times there," Todd said. "We've been running in the high 4.50s and we aren't that far away from what the other cars are running. We' ll get it together."
Qualifying runs are scheduled at 2 and 5 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday.
Eliminations commence at 11 a.m. Sunday.
