JR TODD FACES UNCERTAINTY
Thu, 2008-11-20 12:29
No sponsorship in place, Todd faces the sidelines next season …
The NHRA’s Top Fuel fraternity continues to whittle down to a less than positive 2009 with a sluggish economy and declining
sponsorship market.
J.R. Todd could very well be the next victim unless he’s granted an eleventh hour reprieve.
“As of Sunday in Pomona, I don’t have a sponsor for 2009,” Todd confirmed with CompetitionPlus.com. “I’m not out of a ride; I just don’t have a sponsor to race with. Right now I’d say things are pretty much up in the air for me.” No sponsorship in place, Todd faces the sidelines next season …
The NHRA’s Top Fuel fraternity continues to whittle down to a less than positive 2009 with a sluggish economy and decliningsponsorship market.
J.R. Todd could very well be the next victim unless he’s granted an eleventh hour reprieve.
“As of Sunday in Pomona, I don’t have a sponsor for 2009,” Todd confirmed with CompetitionPlus.com. “I’m not out of a ride; I just don’t have a sponsor to race with. Right now I’d say things are pretty much up in the air for me.”
The news comes at a tough time for the six-time national event winner and former NHRA Rookie of the Year who hails from Lawrenceburg, Ky.
Todd joined Morgan Lucas Racing prior to the 2008 season and brought along sponsorship from Evan Knoll. His ride became expendable when Knoll was forced to suspend all sponsorships.
Despite the loss of backing, MLR fielded the dragster at all 24 events.
Technically Todd says he’s still a part of the team but unless something comes along in a hurry, he won’t be racing Pomona come February.
In other words, the largely rumored Geico deal destined for Todd just isn’t happening.
“Not me for sure,” Todd confirmed.
Coming off a tough 2008 and facing this kind of future is one that burdens Todd.
“This is my third season out here and it seems every season ends and leaves me wondering about the next season,” Todd admitted. “I just want some stability and future in my career and to be somewhere where I know that I am going to be there long term. It would be nice to not have to worry about what the next season entails. I understand this is a tough time for most all teams out there with this economy. Hopefully we can find something that will enable us to scramble something together for 2009.”
Todd prefers to see the silver lining in a potentially dark cloud and because of that, he’s very much thankful for the opportunities that have been afforded him.
“It goes all the way back to Dexter Tuttle who took a chance on me in 2006,” Todd added. “We went out there and won three races and got rookie of the year.
“Forrest and Charlotte Lucas took another gamble on me and it didn’t work out well in the early part of the season, we lost our sponsor and they could have parked the team then and there. They could have sent a lot of crew members home without a job including me. They gave us a chance to race and we won a race. It wasn’t that bad of a season but it wasn’t the greatest one either. It could have been a lot worse.
“I’m appreciative of the opportunities I have been given, and no matter how disappointed I am at this moment, I cannot forget that.”
The NHRA’s Top Fuel fraternity continues to whittle down to a less than positive 2009 with a sluggish economy and declining
sponsorship market.J.R. Todd could very well be the next victim unless he’s granted an eleventh hour reprieve.
“As of Sunday in Pomona, I don’t have a sponsor for 2009,” Todd confirmed with CompetitionPlus.com. “I’m not out of a ride; I just don’t have a sponsor to race with. Right now I’d say things are pretty much up in the air for me.” No sponsorship in place, Todd faces the sidelines next season …
The NHRA’s Top Fuel fraternity continues to whittle down to a less than positive 2009 with a sluggish economy and declining
sponsorship market.J.R. Todd could very well be the next victim unless he’s granted an eleventh hour reprieve.
“As of Sunday in Pomona, I don’t have a sponsor for 2009,” Todd confirmed with CompetitionPlus.com. “I’m not out of a ride; I just don’t have a sponsor to race with. Right now I’d say things are pretty much up in the air for me.”
The news comes at a tough time for the six-time national event winner and former NHRA Rookie of the Year who hails from Lawrenceburg, Ky.
Todd joined Morgan Lucas Racing prior to the 2008 season and brought along sponsorship from Evan Knoll. His ride became expendable when Knoll was forced to suspend all sponsorships.
Despite the loss of backing, MLR fielded the dragster at all 24 events.
Technically Todd says he’s still a part of the team but unless something comes along in a hurry, he won’t be racing Pomona come February.
In other words, the largely rumored Geico deal destined for Todd just isn’t happening.
“Not me for sure,” Todd confirmed.
Coming off a tough 2008 and facing this kind of future is one that burdens Todd.
“This is my third season out here and it seems every season ends and leaves me wondering about the next season,” Todd admitted. “I just want some stability and future in my career and to be somewhere where I know that I am going to be there long term. It would be nice to not have to worry about what the next season entails. I understand this is a tough time for most all teams out there with this economy. Hopefully we can find something that will enable us to scramble something together for 2009.”
Todd prefers to see the silver lining in a potentially dark cloud and because of that, he’s very much thankful for the opportunities that have been afforded him.
“It goes all the way back to Dexter Tuttle who took a chance on me in 2006,” Todd added. “We went out there and won three races and got rookie of the year.
“Forrest and Charlotte Lucas took another gamble on me and it didn’t work out well in the early part of the season, we lost our sponsor and they could have parked the team then and there. They could have sent a lot of crew members home without a job including me. They gave us a chance to race and we won a race. It wasn’t that bad of a season but it wasn’t the greatest one either. It could have been a lot worse.
“I’m appreciative of the opportunities I have been given, and no matter how disappointed I am at this moment, I cannot forget that.”
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