Wanting to make a name for himself in the center of NASCAR country, Lucas Oil Fuel Treatment driver, J.R. Todd knows, you get only one opportunity to a make a fan-favorable first impression. By the time the weekend is over at the brand new Carolina Dragway @Concord, this 26-year old dragster driver believes his plans could include leaving a lasting impact.
The new Bruton Smith-designed all-concrete dragstrip premiering this weekend at the NHRA Carolina Nationals is an economic boost to the Metrolina area, but all J.R. Todd has are his eyes set on is a chance of adding his name to the trophy of this history-making moment of being the first Top Fuel winner chronicled in the NHRA record books.
“I’m really looking forward to heading to Charlotte, it’s one of my favorite places,” said Todd. “Now we have a track to race on and I’m sure we’ll be spending more time down there. I heard it’s a beautiful facility and that with a one-of-a-kind four-lane track; it should be quite a sight. It’s so smooth I heard you could shoot a game of pool on it. Seriously though, I feel this will be the example for all tracks to follow. They don’t call it the ‘Bellagio of Drag Strips’ for nothing!”
The five-time Top Fuel winner from Lawrenceburg, Indiana, has his thoughts on getting ‘The Wally’ and that’s what motivating Todd is simply pure racing pride and a will to win.
“We may not be in the Countdown, but we’re still in the race and want to win,” Todd said. “We want to qualify in the top half and make the right adjustments negotiating the new surface. It should prove to be exciting and a close-call Carolina finish.”
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