Super skilled driver J.R. Todd delivered something very special for iconic Kalitta Motorsports during the 34th running of NHRA’s Dodge Nationals in Pennsylvania…..

J.R. Todd and his DHL/WIX Filters team decided that the accolades wouldn’t stop with back-to-back Indianapolis victories, as they won their second consecutive event of the season and secured the 100th career victory for Kalitta Motorsports in the process.

Unlike in Indianapolis, Todd did not dominate throughout qualifying, as he entered eliminations eighth in the qualifying order after four consistent passes: two passes in the low four-second range and two runs around 3.9.

In the first round of eliminations, Todd lined up against Bob Tasca. The DHL team, led by Jon Oberhofer and Todd Smith, tuned Todd to a 3.982-second pass, which was the fourth-best pass of the entire round to give him the victory against Tasca’s red light.

JR Todd’s FC win at Reading was the 100th score for iconic Kalitta Motorsports!

In the second round, Todd lined up with No. 16 qualifier Mike Smith who had upset the top qualifier in the class, Courtney Force, in round one. Although Smith was quicker on the tree, Todd’s 3.996 run turned out to be too much as the DHL team took the round win and head to the semifinals.

In the semis, Todd matched up with Ron Capps, and this time was able to beat his opponent off the line. The DHL/WIX Filters team powered down the track to a run of 3.975 seconds, which was best of the round and earned the victory against Capps.

(Another Kalitta Motorsports – post-race mosh pit!)

That brought Todd back to his second consecutive final and the fourth of the season, as he was slated to face-off against Tim Wilkerson, and Todd was again the stronger of the pair as he brought home his second straight event win and fourth of the season. Todd was first off the tree and held the lead for the entirety of the race. Todd improved to 6-0 in final rounds in his Funny Car career as he took over the points lead with five races remaining on the 2018 schedule.

Posted by Joseph Anderson 

Event Essentials:   NHRA Dodge Nationals (Sept. 17-19th, 2018) 

Tim Wilkerson had a very strong event in PA – qualifying #2 (3.912 secs) and going to the final round in the LRS Mustang.

Courtney Force qualified #1 for the 11th time this season before a shocking loss in round one.

Driving the “New Englander” Dodge Stratus — Mike Smith qualified on the bump and then upset pole sitter Courtney Force in round #1 – in the event’s biggest upset.

Ron Capps had another steady event – advancing the Napa Dodge to the semi final round.

At Maple Grove — Robert Hight and his sponsor AAA Auto Club ran this special edition car with an important message to all drivers!

Photos by Bruce Biegler – Dave DeAngelis – Steve Embling 

To view additional FC class photos from the NHRA Dodge Nationals – visit our co-production gallery site:  HERE