For the first time in team history, Kalitta Motorsports doubled-up in the nitro categories while winning at Gainesville Raceway’s Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals as teammates Shawn Langdon and J.R. Todd picked up wins in Top Fuel and Funny Car, respectively.

The victories kicked off the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season at the 55th edition Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.

JR Todd’s part within the “nitro sweep” winning Funny Car was his second career Gatornationals event victory.

In the final a run of 3.889 at 329.10 in his DHL Toyota GR Supra knocked off No. 1 qualifier Austin Prock. Todd struggled to make a clean run through the first three rounds but found himself in the final round after getting past Blake Alexander, Ron Capps and Bob Tasca III.

Todd, though, and the team delivered in the championship round, making their best run of the weekend with the Wally and the Golden Gators trophy on the line. It gave Todd his 21st career victory and special moment being part of the Kalitta Motorsports double-up.

“It’s probably the most bizarre day I’ve had in drag racing and the final round was the first clean run we’ve had all weekend,” Todd said. “We’ve been trying to double up for a while and for whatever reason, we couldn’t get it done. The stars just aligned here in Gainesville and it’s pretty awesome.

“I’m proud of my guys for digging deep and not giving up. You can’t take anyone lightly in this class and it’s so tough from top to bottom, but this sets a good tone and gives us momentum. All the greats have done well at this race and you want to put your name on that list (in Gainesville). It’s always great to win here.”

Prock, making his NHRA Funny Car debut, rolled to his ninth career final round by defeating John Smith, John Force and Chad Green.

FC Class Racing Summary

WIN: JR Todd – 3.889 secs 329.10 mph (Career win #21)
R/UP: Austin Prock – 5.360 secs 145.03 mph
Low ET: Austin Prock – 3.820 secs
Top MPH: Bob Tasca III – 338.09 mph
Bump: 4.312 secs
Entries – 16 cars

Posted with files by NHRA Communications & Bruce Biegler
Photos by Dave DeAngelis & Courtesy NHRA

To view more Funny Car images from Gainesville – link to our LMLC Media event photo gallery: HERE