Team Ace Racing has always believed that spirit, drive and sportsmanship make for a winning team. This was no more evident than with the success of J.R. Todd and the DHL/WIX Filters team capturing the 2018 NHRA Funny Car Championship. Yes Todd clinched the championship, but it was the way he did it that was impressive. The teams post season dominance appearing in six final round appearances over the past seven events, the last four in a row.
And to make it even more relevant, Todd became the first African-American Funny Car world champion in NHRA history.
Despite struggling through the first two qualifying passes, the team got the car dialled in with a 3.987 ET at 327.82 mph to move into the number four qualifying spot on the final run of the day.
Sunday’s eliminations saw Todd face Bob Tasca and where he pushed the DHL/WIX Camry to the win with a 3.952 ET at 321.50 mph. Then the team met Ron Capps in round two and it proved to be one of the closest side-by-side runs for the day with Todd once again moving into final round, posting a 3.889 ET at 328.14 mph to Capps 3.932 ET at 316.97 mph.
In the final round Todd emerged victorious over Tommy Johnson Jr. running a 3.872 ET at 329.10 mph to Johnson’s 3.889 ET at 327.50 mph to capture the win and the championship.
To be part of Kalitta Motorsports and the winning spirt of Richie Crampton’s Craftsman sponsored Top Fuel dragster and the championship of J.R. Todd and the DHL/WIX Filters team made for a very special and memorable year for Team Ace Racing.
“Congratulations to everyone at Kalitta Motorsports for a championship season. Team Ace Racing is looking forward to the being part of this winning team in 2019” said Harold Parfett.