Courtesy of the NHRA

SONOMA, Calif. – On what has become an important weekend for J.R. Todd, the Funny Car standout is hoping to enjoy success at the 31st annual Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals, which takes place July 27-29 at Sonoma Raceway, for a third straight year.

J.R. Todd. NHRA photo

Todd won the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event two years ago in Top Fuel, following it up with his first career Funny Car win in 2017 on a weekend that featured one of the most thrilling runs of the season. Driving the 10,000-horsepower DHL Toyota Camry at the event makes the weekend that much more important for the Kalitta Motorsports driver, which means Todd hopes to keep up his impressive pace at the scenic facility in the heart of Northern California’s wine country.

“Last year was a special day and one I won’t forget,” said Todd, who is currently sixth in Funny Car points. “There were so many things tied into that weekend, getting my first Funny Car win at a Toyota-sponsored event and that kind of kick-started our performance the rest of the year. It’s another unique track we go to and the facility is always top-shelf. It’s a place where I won early in my career (Top Fuel in 2006) and it would be great to do it again.”

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Todd (Funny Car), Tanner Gray (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will be televised on FOX, including live final eliminations coverage starting at 4:00 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, July 29. It serves as the second stop on the NHRA’s famed three-race Western Swing and is the 15th of 24 events in 2018.

J.R. Todd. NHRA photo

Only three events follow it before the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship begins and a strong start to 2018 gave Todd aspirations of winning his first career world championship. He won back-to-back events early in the year and had four semifinal appearances in a recent five-race stretch before a first-round loss last weekend in Epping. But based on what he has seen this year, Todd believes that to be an aberration and is confident his team, led by crew chief Jon Oberhofer and co-crew chief Todd Smith, will get back on track during the Western Swing.

“Up until Epping I feel like we had been performing at a high level,” said Todd, who has 13 career wins. “We’re hoping to bounce back in Denver and then go into Sonoma and continue to pick up the performance, and then kind of carry that into the beginning of the Countdown. I would love to be in the top five and get closer to second, have some momentum and get hot like this team has done before. We’ve been able to go out there, be consistent and pick away at it. That’s what Todd and Jon O have done, and they haven’t had to make drastic changes.”

Todd is just 47 points out of third, with everyone chasing points leader Courtney Force, who has four wins this season, and Matt Hagan, who has posted back-to-back victories. But Todd has enjoyed good fortune in Sonoma, included a memorable semifinal race last year against Jack Beckman. After early tire shake, Todd recovered and went roaring past Beckman at the finish line, providing one of the ultimate highlights of the 2017 season. It’s a run that still has people talking, and Todd expects to hear plenty about it from fans when he returns to Sonoma.

“There’s still people talking about it like it happened last week,” Todd said. “It’s one of those runs that stick out in people’s mind. Things just lined up and it was one of those things that made for great TV. Sonoma is one of those tracks when conditions are right, you can have some great runs.”

Top Fuel’s Steve Torrence will look to repeat as winner and build on the points lead he has in 2018 against the likes of Tony Schumacher, Antron Brown and defending world champ Brittany Force.

Tanner Gray has three wins in Pro Stock, but is chasing points leader Erica Enders. Others to watch include Vincent Nobile, Chris McGaha and Jeg Coughlin, who all have two wins in 2018.

Pro Stock Motorcycle’s LE Tonglet had a banner weekend in Sonoma a year ago, posting his second straight win and also winning the NHRA Mickey Thompson Tire Pro Bike Battle. He’ll look to repeat both against points leader Eddie Krawiec, Andrew Hines and Matt Smith. The NHRA Mickey Thompson Tire Pro Bike Battle pits eight of the top riders in a must-see race-within-a-race.

The event features thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series as well. After Nitro qualifying, fans can watch the spectacular El Arabe Racing jet car driven by Juan Cantu. Jet cars are thrust driven propelled by jet engines with pre-run flame shows.

Those in attendance will also have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with some of the biggest names in drag racing during the NHRA Legends Tour. This includes meet-and-greets, autograph sessions, and a variety of other activities. Legends scheduled to attend the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals include Ed “Ace” McCulloch, Jim Dunn, Jeb Allen and more.

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 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 4:15 and 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 27 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, July 28 at 1:10 and 4:20 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 29.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 800-870-RACE (7223). Tickets also are available online at www.sonomaraceway.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 information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.  

TOYOTA NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS

WHAT: 31st annual Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals, the 15th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. The NHRA Lucas Oil Series also will be featured at this event.

WHERE: Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, Calif. The track is located at the intersection of Highways 37 and 121

COURSE:   Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 15 feet above sea level; Track direction is north to south.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, July 27-29

SCHEDULE: 
FRIDAY, July 27- LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4:15 p.m. and 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, July 28- LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations 
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:10 and 4:20 p.m.
NHRA PRO BIKE BATTLE AT SONOMA RACEWAY at 1, 4:15 and 5:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, July 29 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. 
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION: 
Saturday, July 28, FS1 will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 8 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, July 29, FOX will televise three hours of live finals coverage at 4 p.m. (ET).

2017 EVENT WINNERS:   
Steve Torrence, Top Fuel; J.R. Todd, Funny Car; Tanner Gray, Pro Stock, LE Tonglet, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

MOST VICTORIES: 
John Force, 8, FC; Doug Kalitta, 5, TF; Greg Anderson, 5, PS; Antron Brown, 4, TF; Ron Capps, 4, FC; Darrell Alderman, 3, PS; Warren Johnson, 3, PS; Eddie Krawiec, 3, PSM; Jason Line, 3, PS; Jim Yates, 3, PS.

TRACK RECORDS:  
Top Fuel – 3.669 sec. by Leah Pritchett, July ‘17; 331.61 mph by Brittany Force, July ’17.
Funny Car – 3.807 sec. and 339.87 mph by Robert Hight, July ‘17.
Pro Stock – 6.499 sec. by Chris McGaha, July ’15; 213.00 mph by Shane Gray, July ‘15.
PS Motorcycle – 6.730 sec. by Angelle Sampey, July ’16; 199.88 mph by Matt Smith July ’17.
 
NATIONAL RECORDS: 
Top Fuel – 3.628 sec. by Clay Millican, Feb. ’18, Pomona, Calif.; 336.57 mph by Tony Schumacher, Feb. ‘18, Phoenix
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.
Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct ‘12, Reading, PA.; 201.01 mph by Hector Arana Jr., March ‘18, Gainesville, Fla.
  
TICKETS: For tickets call (800) 870-RACE (7223). Tickets may also be purchased online at http://www.sonomaraceway.com.