Courtesy of the NHRA

LAS VEGAS – In his first year competing in Funny Car, J.R. Todd has managed to carve out a handful of big moments, winning a pair of races, including the prestigious race in Indy, and qualifying for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship. There have been bumps as well, including first-round losses at each of the past three playoff races.

J.R. Todd. NHRA photo

Determined to put those behind him heading into the final two events, Todd is hunting for one final highlight in his 10,000-horsepower DHL Toyota Camry to cap off his 2017 season. Getting one at this weekend’s NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, replicating his first Funny Car win at the Toyota-sponsored race in Sonoma, would make for an added bonus.

“We always want to perform well in front of our sponsors,” said Todd, who is ninth in points. “Toyota is a great supporter of Kalitta Motorsports and all of our cars have run well at the Vegas race so we’re hoping to check off another win in front of the higher ups from Toyota. Our DHL/WIX Filters team is a winning team and we want to finish strong with a top five finish in points.”

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Shane Gray (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will be televised on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), including live final eliminations coverage starting at 4:00 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, Oct. 29. It is the 23rd of 24 races during the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season and the fifth of sixth playoff events, leaving Todd little time to make that final jump into the top five.

J.R. Todd. NHRA photo

The string of first-round exits dropped him from fifth to ninth, but the good news is Todd is still within striking distance of that spot, sitting only 70 points behind fifth-place Matt Hagan. Todd, who had nine career Top Fuel wins before making the move to Funny Car this year, won’t be tracking down points leader Ron Capps, but he still has plenty to race for in Vegas. That includes showing more consistency and possibly closing out the season with a third victory.

“We show up to every race to win,” said Todd, who has 11 career victories. “Finishing strong at the end of the year, it gets everybody a little more pumped up for 2018. I’d love to win in Vegas this weekend. I’ve done well in the past but have never won there.”

His Kalitta Motorsports teammates have done well at the facility, with Doug Kalitta, in the hunt for his first Top Fuel world championship, and retiring Funny Car teammate Alexis DeJoria combining for three wins at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway since 2014.

Todd would like to add his name to that list, extending the team’s success at Toyota-sponsored events, but doing so won’t be easy. Reigning world champ Capps has posted eight victories this season, holding a slim 24-point lead against hard-charging Robert Hight, representing a pair of tough standouts Todd has faced off with all season. The class is loaded with talent and the 330-plus mph Funny Cars present a major challenge, but Todd has enjoyed the journey thus far.

“I knew switching to Funny Car this year would be a challenge,” Todd said. “We are constantly working on things to help me drive better. In order to beat great drivers like Matt Hagan and Ron Capps, you need to find every little advantage you can inside in the car.”

Defending Top Fuel event winner Torrence has his sights on his first world championship. The eight-time 2017 winner leads Brittany Force and Doug Kalitta by 57 and 76 points, respectively.

Greg Anderson is after a fifth world title in Pro Stock, and will likely have to hold off a KB Racing teammate to do it. Bo Butner is 15 points back, while reigning champ Jason Line is 30 points out.

Pro Stock Motorcycle points behind leader Eddie Krawiec will try to inch closer to a fourth world title in Vegas, and currently leads LE Tonglet by 107 points.

The NHRA Toyota Nationals will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series as well as the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. After Nitro qualifying, watch the spectacular Muy Caliente Racing jet dragsters sponsored by Lucas Oil, along with the eye lighting Black Pearl Jet Funny Car from Douthit Motorsports. Known for their exciting pre-run flame shows and after burner pops, jet cars are thrust driven vehicles propelled by jet engines.

As always, fans can interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers. Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 1:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 1:15 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 800-644-4444 or 702-644-4444. Tickets also are available online at www.lvms.com. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. To honor the Salute to First Responders, military and first responders can save 20 percent on general admission tickets at the gate. For more info, visit www.nhra.com.

WHAT: 17th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals, the 23rd of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the fifth of six playoff races in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas. Track is located approximately 15 miles north of Las Vegas off I-15.

COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 2,100 feet above sea level; Track direction is south to north.

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 26-29

SCHEDULE: THURSDAY, Oct. 26 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

FRIDAY, Oct. 27 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, Oct. 28 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 3:00 p.m. Round 1 of eliminations at 5:30 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

SUNDAY, Oct. 29 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10:15 a.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m.

TELEVISION: 
Friday, Oct. 27, FOX Sports 1 (FS1) will televise one hour of live qualifying coverage at 6:00 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 29, FS1 will air one hour of qualifying coverage at 3:00 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 29, FS1 will televise three hours of live finals coverage starting at 4:00 p.m. (ET).

2016 EVENT WINNERS: 
Steve Torrence, Top Fuel; John Force, Funny Car; Shane Gray, Pro Stock; Jerry Savoie, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

MOST VICTORIES: 
Andrew Hines, PSM, 5; Greg Anderson, PS, 7; John Force, FC, 8 Tony Schumacher, TF

TRACK RECORDS: 
Top Fuel – 3.689 sec. by Steve Torrence, Oct ‘16 and 332.67 mph by Shawn Langdon, Oct. ’15.
Funny Car – 3.867 sec. by Courtney Force, April ’17 and 331.94 mph by John Force Oct. ‘16
Pro Stock – 6.559 sec. and 210.28 mph by Erica Enders, Oct. ’15.
Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.852 sec. by Jerry Savoie, Oct. ’15; 196.56 mph by Eddie Krawiec, Oct. ’11

NATIONAL RECORDS: 
Top Fuel – 3.631 sec. by Clay Millican, Sept. ‘17, Brainerd; 333.66 mph by Brittany Force, May ‘17, Topeka, Kan.
Funny Car – 3.793 sec. by Robert Hight, Aug. ’17, Brainerd; 339.87 mph by Robert Hight, July ’17, Sonoma, Calif. 
Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.;  215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.
PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.

TICKETS: For tickets call (800) 644-4444, or visit www.LVMS.com.