ABOUT
(Hometown: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA)
Todd Paton was born into a racing family, as both his parents were involved in drag racing. After moving to the East Coast, Todd transitioned from playing with Hot Wheels to helping with his family’s race cars.
In 1991, Todd started driving the family’s Alcohol Funny Car, achieving notable successes, including a win at the NHRA National Open in 1991 and the IHRA Alcohol Funny Car World Championship in 1993 and 1995. He also beat several world champions, such as Pat Austin and Randy Anderson, winning the U.S. Nationals in 1996.
After stints with different teams, Todd and his family established their own team, continuing their involvement in NHRA’s Top Fuel category. In 2019, he founded Performance Data Systems, a California-based company providing racing data acquisition systems and software. Despite the passing of his father Barry, Todd remains actively involved in Paton Racing. The team recently engaged in exhibition matches, showcasing exciting 300 mph runs, solidifying the Paton family’s legacy in drag racing.