Defending CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals champion J.R. Todd is glad to move past 2007 even after a superlative season. He claimed two victories out of three final round appearances and was among the elite of the first cut of the Countdown to the Championship, but the year just didn't go as planned.

Although he began the season with the Top Fuel points lead after beating Melanie Troxel, Doug Kalitta, David Grubnic, and good friend Brandon Bernstein in the finals of the season-opening event, it didn’t take long for many detours to change his point of direction.

Shortly after his season-opening win, crew chief Jimmy Walsh departed the Dexter Tuttle racing group. Johnny West was then tapped to lead the team and together they won Houston. But soon thereafter West left and was replaced by Kevin Poynter, who led him to the final in Topeka and eventually an eighth-place finish in the POWERade championship points.

Along the way, sponsorship concerns set in and the former Rookie of the Year was feeling anything but comfortable.

Then at the end of 2007, Todd's luck shifted dramatically when he was invited to join Morgan Lucas Racing. It was a watershed moment for the popular, young pro.

"I’m not saying I couldn’t wait for ’07 to end, it’s just that we had such an up and down season throughout the year with all the changes," Todd said. "Once I found out I would joining up with Morgan, it made the anticipation for ’08 all that much greater to get here. Now we’re getting new cars at the shop with all the new parts and I’ve been going over there pretty much every day. I’ve been hanging out with the guys and working on different things with Morgan sponsorship-wise. Now I’m chomping at the bit to get started."

Todd enters this year with sponsorship from Torco, Seelye-Wright, and Lucas Oil Products on board and brings with him some interesting statistics. The biggest are his five victories out of seven Top Fuel final round appearances along with seven hole-shot victories to his credit. He's also racked up a 50-35 win/loss record in his two seasons as an NHRA pro.

Now the 26-year old pilot has veteran crew chief John Stewart guiding the mechanical side of things as he contributes valuable feedback that he claims only a former crew member can offer.

"Morgan and I can help each other out tremendously as far as talking about the things a driver needs to do," Todd said. "We’re two young guys and even though he’s in search of his first win, he’s been driving longer than I have so he has a lot to offer.

"We both have really young teams and it kind of takes the pressure off of the driving when you have a young bunch that can go out and have fun together and joke around, but stay serious about their business at the same time.

"The Countdown format raises the stress level of the drivers and a young team can ground you pretty quick. That’s why I’m excited."

That Torco/Seeyle Wright/Lucas Oil crew appears to be on the right course. In recent tests in Phoenix, Todd was consistently posted 4.5-second passes, including a 4.557 at a booming speed of 331.53 mph.
"That was just one of many great runs we had over the weekend," Todd said. "The car was so consistent and Morgan ran a 4.54 as his best. All the data we’re receiving is being shared on both cars, which means we’re building a great two-car operation. I feel we’re both are going to be considered contenders in 2008. We’re going to head into Pomona feeling very positive and I can’t wait to defend my title."