Huge Funny Car Field awaits Points Leader J.R. Todd at Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals

The 21-car Funny Car field is largest for the NHRA Winternationals since 2014

POMONA, CA – March 18, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – After winning the NHRA Gatornationals to open the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, J.R. Todd heads to this weekend’s 64th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals with plenty of momentum.

But it certainly won’t get any easier for the former Funny Car world champion at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. Todd is one of 21 Funny Car entries for this weekend’s annual early-season race in Pomona, which makes it the largest Funny Car field for the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals since 2014.

It’s a huge and massively talented Funny Car category, but Todd is feeling the best of everyone heading into Pomona in his 11,000-horsepower DHL Toyota GR Supra. A season-opening win in Gainesville gives the team plenty of confidence and Todd knows his team will be ready for the challenge in Pomona. But Todd also knows there will be talented drivers at every turn this weekend at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.

“(The win) sets a good tone going into Pomona,” Todd said. “It’s not like these guys (on this team) lack confidence. When we were not running well, they still knew they had an opportunity to run well and win against these guys. I know I have to be on kill every time because when the car is on, I think it’s a tough combination. I try to hold up my end and I know they’re always working to give me a great car. As long as we can keep going to the semifinals, I think we can set up ourselves a run for the championship. But top-to-bottom, it’s tough in Funny Car and you can’t take anybody lightly. It’s a matter of survival on raceday.”

Last year, Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) took home top honors in their respective categories at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals. To repeat their titles, they’ll need to get past some of the biggest names in the sport at a race that will again be broadcasted on FS1, including eliminations coverage on Sunday, March 24 at 7 p.m. ET.

Todd is also part of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge on Saturday in Pomona. The specialty race provides a bonus purse and bonus championship points in bringing competitive racing to the Saturday schedule, and Todd will take on Bob Tasca III, with Austin Prock meeting Chad Green. The winners will face off to close out qualifying, setting the stage for a monumental Sunday of…