J.R. Todd and DHL Team Chase Fresh Hope in Chicago

J.R. Todd and the DHL GR Supra team head to Chicago this weekend looking to keep their momentum going in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Five races into the 2025 season, Todd sits eighth in the Funny Car standings and has seen flashes of progress.

After earning a No. 4 qualifying spot in Las Vegas and scoring round wins in both Las Vegas and Charlotte, the team believes they are edging closer to a breakthrough.

Since the start of the year, the DHL Funny Car has been showing improvements in consistency. Crew chief Dickie Venables and assistant Jon Oberhofer are using every pass to collect data to fine-tune the car’s performance. For more on the technical aspects of drag racing tuning, the NHRA’s official rulebook provides detailed insights.

Todd noted that each run helps them learn, and while the improvements are gradual, he is encouraged by the team’s dedication. He mentioned the benefit of returning to standard two-wide racing, which gives them two chances in each qualifying lane, helping them make better adjustments.

The last event in Charlotte saw the team run into problems during qualifying, but they recovered with strong performances on race day. Todd believes that a streak of solid runs and round wins are key to building confidence and driving further success.

He said win lights on Sundays bring hope and energy to everyone on the team, especially when those wins are hard-fought. With guys at the top making victory look easy, he reminds his crew that racing is always a challenge, but their recent gains have boosted spirits.

This weekend’s Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois takes place May 16 through 18. The event returns to traditional racing formats after recent four-wide races. For more details on the venue, check out the Route 66 Raceway’s official page.

Fans can catch qualifying on FS1 on Friday night, with another show on Sunday morning, and finals scheduled Sunday afternoon, also on FS1.

Looking back at last year’s Chicago race, Todd qualified twelfth but lost to Alexis Dejoria in round one. The team is pushing for a stronger result this time, aiming for more consistency and a shot at deeper runs in the bracket. For historical race data, the NHRA’s event archive is a valuable resource.

Each pass on the track is viewed as a step closer to reaching their potential, and Todd is optimistic the real breakthrough is just ahead.

With the focus on steady improvement each week, Todd and the DHL crew remain determined. They acknowledge the season is long but believe the path they are on will lead to more “glimmers of hope” and bigger victories.

As Chicago approaches, all eyes are on how far this group can climb up the standings in 2025. For more updates on competitors like Chris King and their Funny Car efforts, fans can follow the latest news regularly.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.