POMONA, Calif., Nov. 1, 2007 -- J.R. Todd returned to Pomona Thursday and revived some the success he had at the Winternationals 22 races ago.  He put the SKULL Shine Top Fuel dragster in the No. 1 berth in the opening day of the Auto Club Finals with a quarter-mile lap of 4.521 seconds at 328.22 mph that equaled his career best speed.

 

Todd dominated the season-opener, running back-to-back 4.47s in the quarter and semifinals and a 4.48 in the title round.  "Maybe we got some of our Pomona magic back," he said.  "That definitely was a good way to start the weekend. At least we don't have to worry about not qualifying.  I don't think that will hold, but we are going to try and run quicker Friday."

 

Todd has three more runs -- one Friday and two Saturday -- before the season finale Sunday.