NHRA pros at Seattle

Todd Takes First Win of Season; McGaha Makes It Two in a Row

Results compiled by Kay Burk Photos by Ron Lewis

Tommy Johnson Jr. picked up the win in Funny Car Sunday, Aug. 9, at the NHRA Northwest Nationals, denying teammate Jack Beckman’s bid to sweep the NHRA Western Swing. J.R. Todd (Top Fuel) and Chris McGaha (Pro Stock) also took home victories at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event near Seattle, the final of three events in the NHRA Western Swing.

TOP FUEL

J.R. Todd, driver of the Red Line Oil Top Fuel dragster, picked up his first win of the season. Todd was solid in qualifying for the second consecutive weekend. His Red Line Oil team earned the sixth starting position with a 3.770 elapsed time. His matchup in round one would be the featured ESPN Marquee Matchup as he took on the 11th place driver Clay Millican in a race that could have been very damaging for Todd’s hopes of making the Countdown. However, Todd came prepared. He laid down the best reaction time of the round, and he needed it. A close race on the top end went Todd’s way and he moved on.