Top Fuel driver J.R. Todd and crew chief Kevin Poynter were friends long before they joined forces at Dexter Tuttle Motorsports. They met several years ago, when Todd was working on Bob Gilbertson’s Funny Car and Poynter was a crew member for Top Fuel driver David Baca.

“He got to drive every now and then on Mondays,” Todd said, referring to the fact that Poynter -- who is licensed in both the Top Fuel and Pro Stock classes -- was a test driver for Baca. “He was driving before I was.”

Top Fuel driver J.R. Todd and crew chief Kevin Poynter were friends long before they joined forces at Dexter Tuttle Motorsports. They met several years ago, when Todd was working on Bob Gilbertson’s Funny Car and Poynter was a crew member for Top Fuel driver David Baca.

“He got to drive every now and then on Mondays,” Todd said, referring to the fact that Poynter -- who is licensed in both the Top Fuel and Pro Stock classes -- was a test driver for Baca. “He was driving before I was.”

The two often talked about their career dream, thinking that they someday might have fun competing against each other. But Poynter then hooked on for five years with John Force Racing, working on Eric Medlen‘s team. Following Medlen‘s death in March, Poynter moved to Tuttle Motorports.

“It’s still in the back of his head that he’d like to get in there and drive. I don’t think he can fit in mine, so I think I have a little job security there,” Todd said.

“It’s ironic that we’re here together,” he said. Hopefully we can get us a win together and maybe get us a championship together and dedicate it to Eric.”