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J.R. Todd Scores First 300 Mile Per Hour Run In First Round Loss
September 12, 2000
Harley Communications
Roger Richards photos
 Epping,
NH - Teenaged Top Fuel phenomenon J.R. Todd can add yet another
accomplishment to his steadily growing resume. The 18-year old, rookie
driver from Lawrenceburg, Ind., may have lost in his first round loss
opposite of Jim Bailey, but that was overshadowed by his 300.53 mile per
hour. Now it's no big secret that Top Fuel dragsters have been running 300
for a while now, but never has a junior dragster graduate ever surpassed
the mark. Todd officially becomes the first.
While Todd's growing contingent of fans may have given a few high fives on
his latest accomplishment, he wasn't do impressed.
"I lost," explained Todd, who stepped up to the fuel ranks in
June after obtaining his license in his first three laps in a Top Fueler.
"It's hard to look at things in an optimistic sense when you lose in
the first round. I guess I can just throw this into my learning
curve."
Todd qualified sixth in the program on the strength of a 4.90 lap during
the first qualifying session on Friday. He failed to improve on either
qualifying lap on Saturday.
 The
United Expressline/Bruce Litton Trailer Sales-sponsored driver met Jim
Bailey in the first round for the third time this season in eliminations.
Todd did his job as a driver by nailing Bailey at the tree with a .012,
but at the finish line, the Snap-on Tools-sponsored driver scored the win
with a 4.860/291.70.
Todd explains that maybe he's just a little bit impatient.
"I don't think that I'm any different that any other racer out there
in that I want to win," explained Todd. "I know that there's
supposed to be a learning curve, but I guess I'm a little impatient."
Todd will have the opportunity to score his first national event victory
in two weeks when the IHRA Summit Drag Racing tour heads south to
Rockingham, NC., for the CARQUEST Autumn Nationals.
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