J.R. Todd     NHRA POWERade Drag Racing        Skull Shine Top Fuel Dragster     Age 24

Race car drivers under 25 are often called young guns but the way they approach speed they are more like young rockets. The young rockets in NHRA learn the rules and the reality about taking speed to the highest level. Fast and quick has meaning in drag racing and reaction times are essential as well as productive. Youthful mind speed is a plus, but it still takes experience to be competitive.

In NHRA drag racing the goal is to go fast and straight against a single competitor on the track. Win or go home. No exceptions.

It's tough road to the top but those who start young and develop fast get the chances to advance. The competition is fierce. The sportsman structure in NHRA provides a training ground for young drivers. Most will learn there, but few will advance to pro ranks.

J.R. Todd started young and advanced to Top Fuel Dragster. His words tell much about what it takes inside to get top results outside on the hard fast track.

Time: Late Season 2006
Place: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nev.
Event: ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals

Dwight asked J.R. Todd:

You've had recent success. Why do you think you are a winner?
"It's just a combination of things coming together. At the beginning of the year we came out fairly well and the more laps you get on the car it's more practice for the guys. They're not making mistakes. Jimmy is getting a better handle on the tune-up each race. I'm getting more comfortable in the car driving it. It's just the combination of things. It all comes back on Jimmy. If we're not making mistakes and he can really mess with the tune-up and get a better handle on it. The middle half of the year it came together and it's really coming on now."

Do you believe successful drivers handle stress and pressure better than the average person?
"I don't know. I think if I were in Brandon's shoes or Kalitta's shoes or Schumacher's shoes right now I might be a little stressed out at this race. The last part of the year and knowing I'm running for the championship. Every round counts for those guys. Me, I'm the spoiler out here just trying to knock them off and get some round wins under my belt and maybe another victory. I'm not as not stressed out here, but if I were in their situation it might be a different story on how to handle it."

Do you think there is a difference between leading in the points as compared to chasing the points?
"Yeah. If I was this late in the year and I was leading in the points I'd probably be a little more comfortable than chasing the guy. It's so hard to out here to get a lot of wins because the competition is so tough. You can't take any car out here lightly. You'd have to have a pretty good lead going into this part of the year. Right now Kalitta is looking pretty good, but anything can happen on Sunday. That's the beauty of drag racing. Whether you're No.1 or No. 16 you can win out here."

NASCAR is emphasizing a diversity program. NHRA has an extensive diverse past with Shirley Muldowney, Angelle Sampey, Antron Brown and others. Do you have a comment on that?
"I think NHRA has pretty much been the leader in that category for at least if not longer going back to Prudhomme and Shirley. There has been a bunch of minorities along the way in drag racing. NASCAR is starting to realize that they are not up with that. They know they have a problem and they now have a push on to do something about it. Where, NHRA hasn't really had to struggle with that. There is definitely a lack of them out here and there needs to be more of us. Drag racing in general has always been a leader in not discriminating. I think it's more open to anybody who wants to get involved whereas if you want to get involved in NASCAR it's a lot tougher. Out here it doesn't matter what color or gender you are."

What advice would you give a young person wanting to be a professional driver?
"Set a goal for yourself and stick with it. When I got started in the junior league it was my goal to some day race Top Fuel. Of course it was a long shot when I was 10 years-old, but you never know what can happen if you surround yourself with good people. You've got to be at the right place at the right sometimes, but you don't have to set your goal to race Top Fuel. It can be Supercomp or bracket racing. Whatever you want to do, just stick with it and never give up."

Additional Comments:
"The wave we're riding right now if we can carry that momentum into next season, and have a lot of fun out there."