[h=2]NHRA: Todd to replace Worsham in Funny Car[/h] Monday, 05 December 2016


NHRA

Kalitta Motorsports has announced that its current Top Fuel driver, J.R. Todd, will move into the seat of its DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car vacated by Del Worsham, who left to rejoin his family-owned Funny Car team. In turn, Troy Coughlin Jr. will move from the planned part-time sixth team to a full-time seat aboard the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster.
Todd is making his return to the Funny Car class, but for the first time as a driver. He worked on Bob Gilberston's Funny Car during the 2003-2005 NHRA seasons with current Kalitta employees Nicky Boninfante and Tommy DeLago.
"Connie told Jim [Oberhofer] the DHL Toyota is a special car and that I was the right guy for the job, which was a huge compliment to me," said Todd (pictured), who will make his Funny Car debut at the Circle K Winternationals in February. "I am going to miss Del as a teammate as he has always been one of my heroes. I want to also say a huge thanks to SealMaster and their awesome franchisees. They are great people and it was an honor to represent them."
Todd turns to the Funny Car class after a career season aboard the SealMaster Toyota Top Fuel dragster. In 152 Top Fuel events, Todd has earned nine victories, 19 final-round appearances, nine No.1 qualifiers and 149 round wins.
He was the 2006 AAA Road to the Future rookie winner and has placed in the top five in the point standings two times, including a fourth-place effort this year.
"Ever since I worked with Nicky and Tommy D on a Funny Car, driving one has been in the back of my mind and most people have known that. The DHL Toyota has quite the legacy and it is a huge honor to be picked to drive it."
DHL will continue as the primary sponsor on Todd's Toyota Camry Funny Car for the entire season.