NORWALK, Ohio — J.R. Todd knows there is still time for his 10,000-horsepower SealMaster dragster to reach its stride during the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
But with the year hitting the halfway point at this weekend’s 10th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, Todd is ready to take the next step for the first time in 2016.
Todd has been solid but he is hoping for spectacular and his first win of the season in Norwalk, just six races before the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship begins.
“One thing the SealMaster Toyota team is lacking right now is consistency,” said Todd, who is currently seventh in Top Fuel points following a first-round loss Sunday in Bristol, Tenn. “We need to qualify better and set ourselves up better for Sunday. Consistently going down the track will take care of that.
“I believe going to the final round in Atlanta was a big step for us and showed that our relatively new team was, and is, plenty capable of winning. The run we made first round in Englishtown showed that we are going in the right direction with the power level and that has me excited.”
Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Karen Stoffer (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event. For the first time, the race will be televised nationally on FOX Sports 1. The race is the 12th of 24 during the 2016 season and finishes off a stretch of four consecutive race weekends.
For Todd and his Kalitta Motorsports team, it’s an opportunity to build momentum for the rest of the season. He qualified third and advanced to the final round in Atlanta, then picked up a round win in Englishtown, N.J. But Todd, who has eight career wins, knows the potential is there for more and would like to see the team continue to improve, even though conditions during the Countdown to the Championship will likely be different than what he will see this weekend in Norwalk.
“Countdown races and conditions are usually different than what we see right now, although a lot of teams can still throw down in the heat,” said Todd, who has gone as quick as 3.736-seconds this season. “Heading into the Countdown I would like for us to be top five in points and give ourselves a better shot at running for the Mello Yello championship.”
Todd would also like to become the seventh different winner in Top Fuel this season, a list that already includes teammate and points leader Doug Kalitta, who won three straight races earlier this year. That has motivated Todd, as has the success of Kalitta Motorsports Funny Car drivers Del Worsham, the reigning world champion, and Alexis DeJoria, who won earlier this season in Las Vegas.
“Seeing how well our other three cars perform and the camaraderie we have between all the teams makes me feel very honored and proud to be apart of the Kalitta family,” Todd said. “It also drives you to perform at your best because that’s what we all expect and want here.”
There’s also extra motivation for Todd this weekend because his sponsor’s headquarters are located close to Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park. Standing in his way, though, will be a host of Top Fuel standouts, including reigning world champion Antron Brown, two-time 2016 winner Brittany Force, Steve Torrence, who claimed his second victory of the year in Englishtown, 2007 event winner and eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, Richie Crampton, Shawn Langdon, who won last weekend in Bristol, Terry McMillen and Clay Millican.
It’s also a home race for the Michigan-based Kalitta Motorsports team, adding another storyline into the mix. It all adds up to a great opportunity for Todd to take a giant step in his season at a track that is one of his favorites.
“For our SealMaster team, Norwalk is a big event because it’s right in our sponsor’s backyard,” Todd said. “It also is pretty much a home event for Kalitta Motorsports, as it is the closest event to our shop, so a lot of the team members’ families come out and support us. As for me, I’ve been racing at Norwalk since I was a kid (racing) junior dragsters, so I’ve known the Bader family for a while now.”
In Funny Car, Beckman sprinted past Courtney Force in Norwalk last year to earn his third victory of the season and second ever at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park. Force is back on track this season, earning a victory in Houston, but competition is tough and includes Matt Hagan, who won back-to-back events recently in Atlanta and Topeka, 16-time world champion John Force, two-time 2016 event winner Tim Wilkerson, Robert Hight, Ron Capps, who has taken over the points lead, Bristol winner Tommy Johnson Jr., defending world champ Del Worsham and Las Vegas winner Alexis DeJoria.
In Pro Stock, Greg Anderson will have a good shot to win his second consecutive Norwalk title as he has already tallied five victories this season. Anderson’s teammate, Jason Line, is also off to a stellar start with the points lead and six victories, including one last weekend in Bristol. Others to watch in the all new era of Pro Stock, which features race cars with fuel-injected engines, shorter wheelie bars, flat hoods and a 10,500 RPM rev-limiter, include two-time Norwalk winner Vincent Nobile, back-to-back and reigning world champ Erica Enders, Bo Butner, 2012 champ Allen Johnson, Chris McGaha and five-time world champ and Ohio native Jeg Coughlin.
Pro Stock Motorcycle will hit the track at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park for its fifth appearance of the 2016 season. Last year, Stoffer raced past Angelle Sampey in the final round to claim her second victory of the season. Three-time world champion and 2011 Norwalk winner Eddie Krawiec currently has a grip on the Pro Stock Motorcycle points lead with two wins and three finals appearances. Others in the two-wheeled category hoping to race to the winner’s circle include reigning world champion Andrew Hines, Sampey, who recently won in Englishtown for her first victory since 2007, Hector Arana, two-time champ and two-time event winner Matt Smith, Jerry Savoie, veteran rider Steve Johnson, Chip Ellis, Michael Ray Jr. and rookie Melissa Surber.
The NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series returns to Norwalk for its sixth of 10 races during the 2016 season. The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
As always, fans will have the opportunity to 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 how the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 5 and 7:45 p.m. on Friday, June 24 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 25, at 12:30 and 3:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 26.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park at (419) 668-5555. Tickets also are available online at www.summitmotorsportspark.com. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.
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SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS FACT SHEET
WHAT: 10th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, the 12th 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 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. Competition in the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Series and the NHRA Lucas Oil Series also will be featured at this event.
WHERE: Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, Norwalk, Ohio. The track is located at 1300 State Route 18, half way between Cleveland and Toledo; just an hour and a half north of Columbus. The Ohio Turnpike is less than 10 minutes away.
COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 853 feet above sea level; Track direction is north to south.
WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, June 23-26
SCHEDULE:
Thursday, June 23- LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
FRIDAY, June 24- LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 4:15 and 7 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 5 and 7:45p.m.
SATURDAY, June 15- LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 2:15 p.m. Round 1 of eliminations at 5 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:30 and 3:15 p.m.
SUNDAY, June 16 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Friday, June 24, FOX Sports 1 (FS1) will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 8 p.m. (ET).
Saturday, June 25, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 7 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, June 26, FS1 will televise two-and-a-half hours of live finals coverage at 11 a.m. (ET).
Monday, June 27, FS1 will televise three hours of finals coverage at midnight (ET).
2015 EVENT WINNERS: Doug Kalitta, Top Fuel; Jack Beckman, Funny Car; Greg Anderson, Pro Stock, Karen Stoffer, Pro Stock Motorcycle.
MOST VICTORIES: Andrew Hines, 4, PSM; Greg Anderson, 3, PS; Jack Beckman, 2, FC; Larry Dixon, 2, TF; Mike Neff, 2, FC; Vincent Nobile, 2, PS; Matt Smith, 2, PSM.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.731 sec. by Doug Kalitta, July ’15; 332.51 mph by Larry Dixon, July ’15.
Funny Car – 4.000 sec. and 322.96 mph by Matt Hagan, July ’15.
Pro Stock – 6.523 sec. and 212.63 mph by Erica Enders, July ’14.
PS Motorcycle – 6.844 sec. by Eddie Krawiec, July ’14; 196.93 mph by Hector Arana, July ’14.
NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.676 sec. by Brittany Force, May ’16, Topeka, Kan.; 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. ’15, Brainerd, Minn.
Funny Car – 3.862 sec. and 335.57 mph by Matt Hagan, May ’16, Topeka, Kan.
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 (419) 668-5555 or purchase online at www.summitmotorsportspark.com.
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GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the 11th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –
Top Fuel
1. Doug Kalitta, 926; 2. Antron Brown, 873; 3. Steve Torrence, 846; 4. Brittany Force, 754; 5. Tony Schumacher, 675; 6. Shawn Langdon, 595; 7. J.R. Todd, 562; 8. Clay Millican, 540; 9. Richie Crampton, 535; 10. Leah Pritchett, 412.
Funny Car
1. Ron Capps, 841; 2. Jack Beckman, 786; 3. Courtney Force, 741; 4. Matt Hagan, 710; 5. Del Worsham, 701; 6. Tim Wilkerson, 691; 7. Tommy Johnson Jr., 675; 8. Robert Hight, 643; 9. John Force, 615; 10. Alexis DeJoria, 588.
Pro Stock
1. Jason Line, 1,263; 2. Greg Anderson, 1,170; 3. Bo Butner, 758; 4. Allen Johnson, 668; 5. Drew Skillman, 625; 6. Vincent Nobile, 535; 7. Chris McGaha, 524; 8. Jeg Coughlin, 496; 9. Shane Gray, 458; 10. Alex Laughlin, 445.
Pro Stock Motorcycle
1. Eddie Krawiec, 436; 2. Jerry Savoie, 310; 3. Angelle Sampey, 297; 4. Andrew Hines, 290; 5. Chip Ellis, 269; 6. Hector Arana, 239; 7. LE Tonglet, 196; 8. Karen Stoffer, 150; 9. Scotty Pollacheck, 149; 10. Steve Johnson, 147.
