J.R. TODD STARTS NO. 6

Torco/Lucas Oil Top Fuel pilot earned a spot in the competitive Top Fuel ladder after running a time of 4.543 seconds, 329.99-mph that will allow him start the Checker Schuck’s Kragen Nationals at Firebird Sports Park from the No. 6 position to race “Hot Rod” Fuller in the opening round of Sunday’s eliminations. This will mark the fourth time Todd has qualified in the No. 6 starting spot in his young career.

In head-to-head clashes, Fuller has the edge over Todd in their four previous meetings of one win to his three. The last time the pair met in National event competition was in the first round of the 2007 Toyo Tires Nationals in Reading, Pa.

“He has one of the tougher cars, but you know, we’re pretty tough ourselves,” stated a self-assured Todd. “We missed the setup on our first run today but everyone was behind with getting only two runs today. We bounced back with our second run with a 4.54 and that’s our first full pass on our new pipe, so we’re happy with that. Now we’re looking forward to Sunday in making four rounds and meeting our teammate, Morgan Lucas in the finals.”

ESPN2 will re-air the qualifying rounds beginning at 11 a.m. (EST) followed by NHRA RaceDay presented by Lucas Oil at 12:30 p.m. Final round coverage of the 24th annual Checker Schuck’s Kragen Nationals start at 7 p.m.