Defending CarQuest Auto Parts Winternationals champion, J.R. Todd is glad 2007 is finally behind him regardless of having a superlative season.  He claimed two victories out of three final round appearances and was among the elite of the first cut of the NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship.

Although, he began a banner year with the Top Fuel points lead in hand, with Pomona race wins over Melanie Troxel, Doug Kalitta, David Grubnic, and against great friend and competitor, Brandon Bernstein in the finals of the season-opening event.  However, it didn’t take long for many detours to change his point of direction.  Shortly after his season-opening win, crew chief, Jimmy Walsh departed the Dexter Tuttle racing group and then Johnny West was tapped to lead him into another final round and win in Houston.

He reached his third final at Topeka for the O’Reilly Summer Nationals with then, third crew chief Kevin Poynter, which carried him to an eighth-place finish in the POWERade Championship. Defending CarQuest Auto Parts Winternationals champion, J.R. Todd is glad 2007 is finally behind him regardless of having a superlative season.  He claimed two victories out of three final round appearances and was among the elite of the first cut of the NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship.

Although, he began a banner year with the Top Fuel points lead in hand, with Pomona race wins over Melanie Troxel, Doug Kalitta, David Grubnic, and against great friend and competitor, Brandon Bernstein in the finals of the season-opening event.  However, it didn’t take long for many detours to change his point of direction.  Shortly after his season-opening win, crew chief, Jimmy Walsh departed the Dexter Tuttle racing group and then Johnny West was tapped to lead him into another final round and win in Houston.

He reached his third final at Topeka for the O’Reilly Summer Nationals with then, third crew chief Kevin Poynter, which carried him to an eighth-place finish in the POWERade Championship.

Then at the end of 2007, he joined Morgan Lucas Racing and tackled with his new teammate, the toughest road race in the world – the Tecate Baja 1000.  Although it was short-lived event for the drag racing tandem, he knew that only good things were looking ahead.

“You bet,” said a jubilant Todd.  “I’m not saying I couldn’t wait for ’07 to end, it’s just that we had such an up and down season throughout the year with all the changes we had.  Once I found out I would joining up with Morgan Lucas Racing, it made the anticipation for ’08 all that much greater to get here.  Now we’re getting new cars at the shop with all the new parts and I’ve been going over there pretty much everyday.  I’ve been hanging out with the guys and working on different things with Morgan sponsorship-wise, getting fitted for the cars and I’m chomping at the bit to go test in Phoenix.”

Todd enters the 48th annual CarQuest Winternationals with sponsorship from Torco, Seelye-Wright, and Lucas Oil Products on board his Morgan Lucas Racing dragster and brings with him some interesting statistics.  The biggest are his five victories out of seven Top Fuel final round appearances along with seven hole-shot victories to his credit racking up a 50-35 win/loss record in his two seasons as an NHRA pro.

Now the 26-year old pilot has himself focused with veteran crew chief, John Stewart guiding the mechanical side of it and is contributing through his feedback that he claims as a crew member for former teams before taking over the 8,000 horsepower cockpit as a driver.

“I think the communication between Morgan and I can help each other out driving-wise tremendously,” said Todd.  “We’re two young guys and Morgan’s in search of his first win and he’s been driving longer in Top Fuel than I have, so he can help me out as well.  I’m really looking forward to that.  We both have really young teams and it kind of takes the pressure off of the driving when you have a young bunch that can go out and have fun together and joke around, but stay serious about their business at the same time.  With this Countdown format, it raises the stress level of the drivers and a young team can ground you pretty quick and at the same time still be able to kid around.  That’s why I’m excited”

That Torco/Seeyle Wright/Lucas Oil crew headed up by veteran crew chief, John Stewart is steering the young 25-year old on an ascending course.  In their recent tests in Phoenix, have proven to well worth the time and effort with Todd and teammate Lucas running consistent low 4.50 passes and on Monday evening, he rocketed to a time of 4.557 seconds at a booming speed of 331.53 mph.  Upon his return to his pits, you couldn’t wipe the smile off of his face.

“That was just one of many great runs we’ve had this weekend,” said a jubilant Todd.  “The car is so consistent and Morgan ran a 4.54 as his best, so far.  All the data we’re receiving is being shared on both cars, which means we’re building a great two-car operation and I feel we’re both are going to be considered contenders in 2008.

We’re going to head into Pomona feeling very positive and just can’t wait to defend my title.”