JR Todd
- Date of Birth: December 16, 1981
- Hometown: Lawrenceburg, Indiana
- Other Sponsors: Lucas Oil Octane Booster Dragster
Bio
Jr Todds father, Mario, was a professional motorcycle racer and a rescue diver when the unlimited hydroplanes came to the Ohio River. Todd followed his father’s motorcycle career, fantasizing that someday, maybe, he’d be the one racing and winning. Mario Todd was a successful racer, but had his share of injuries and wasn’t enthusiastic about J.R. following in his footsteps with motorcycles, nor did he want his son to mess around with hydroplanes. “We wanted him to get into something that had more than two wheels and no water was involved,” Mario Todd said. “When he was 10, we saw the NHRA was offering a junior drag racing program and signed him up. He pretty much did the rest from there.”From age 10 through 16, Todd raced in Jr. Dragsters. At 16, Todd got his Super Comp license and raced that class for about three years. During his Super Comp days, the “superstar in the making†headed to Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School and took Hawley’s Top Alcohol Dragster course.
Todd worked as a crewmember for Bob Gilbertson’s Funny Car team from 2003-05 while searching for an opportunity to drive. In May, he teamed with sponsors Skull Shine and Torso Racing Fuels to compete on the NHRA PowerAde tour. In 2006:Jr Todd Earned first career victory at Denver;Takeing Tony Schumacher out. With win at Denver, became first African-American to win an NHRA Top Fuel race; Also earned victories at Sonoma and Reading and posted a runner-up finish at Las Vegas 2; Despite running a limited schedule (19 races), earned his first POWERade Top 10 points finish (8th); Won $20,000 Auto Club Road to the Future award, which recognized him as NHRA’s top performing rookie driver.
Q&A
- What Are Risks? Risks are doing something dangerous that most others will not try, such as a hoosier eating sushi.
- You Feel Pain? When ever I lose on a hole shot! That is probably the worst way to lose in drag racing.
- Travel Can Be? Boring, tiring, exciting, and more.... I have lived out of a suit case pretty much all of my life so I am used to it.
- Oakley is Different? They are different because they have the most edgy gear out there, nothing else compares!!!
- I Prefer? Boxers over briefs and NFL over MLB.
- Once I? Jumped off a huge cliff into a freezing cold rock quarry at Indian University. It was probably one of the craziest/dumbest things I've ever done and would never do it again. A movie was filmed where I jumped about the Little 500 which takes place at IU.
- The Last Time? I have a doube double from "In N Out Burger" was way too long ago! One of these days there will be an "In N Out Burger" in Indy with all of these California transplants here.
- The Crowds? At a drage race can be overwhelming at times. Sometimes people do not realize that we are at work but I still love em'.
- My Parents? are the best. They sometimes try to be as young as me but can't always hang! They are very supportive of what I do and have sacrificed a lot for me. You will always catch them wearing Oakley!
- Favorite Bands? Rise Against, Linkin Park, Korn.
- Books? I just read "The Haydens; Nicky, Tommy, and Roger from OWB to MotoGP." Those dudes would show up in my home town when they were younger and kick ass on the dirt track, including my dads!!!
- TV Shows? Rob & Big
- Drink? Mtn. Dew gets me jacked up on race day and Bud Light Lime at the end of the day.
- Items you can't live without? Oakley's on top of my head, my minute machine, I-phone, and I-Pod.
- Any Last Words? I'm usually pretty quiet, so I'm not a man of many words.
OIL RIG
OAKLEY MINUTE MACHINE Titanium Bracelet Edition