Doug Kalitta is once again putting together a solid season of consistency and performance behind the wheel of the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster. Heading into the New England NHRA Nationals this weekend Kalitta sits No. 2 in the Mello Yello point standings and while there is a considerable gap between the No. 1 and No. 2 drivers the veteran Top Fuel racer knows when the Countdown starts he could be within two rounds of the top spot.
“I am not worried about a points gap right now,” said Kalitta. “In fact, I am not really looking at the points. We are just working on getting as many round wins as possible and the rest will sort itself out. The start of the Countdown is a great equalizer but you still have to perform those last six races. We are looking at performing well in Epping and then the Western Swing.”
The Mac Tools dragster was adorned with new Kalitta Motorsports marketing partner Applied Imaging for one race two weeks ago in Norwalk. Kalitta is looking forward to getting back into his familiar Mac Tools dragster this weekend.
“We had a great weekend with Applied Imaging in Norwalk and it was great to bring a new sponsor into NHRA drag racing,” said Kalitta. “I think they got a lot out of the weekend and we are hoping to do more with them down the road. I am looking forward to getting back into this Mac Tools dragster and hopefully parking it in the winner’s circle in Epping.”
In 2014 Kalitta advanced to his lone final round at New England Dragway. During that race Kalitta started as the No. 2 qualifier and raced his way past Terry McMillen, Khalid alBalooshi and Richie Crampton before being stopped in the final by Tony Schumacher. Kalitta appeared in nine final rounds that season, a career best, picking up two wins.
“We dropped a close race in the final a few years ago in Epping and we had a great race car that day,” said Kalitta. “I know we can run those numbers and show that kind of consistency again. We tested in Norwalk and I am excited to get back to the track. We had a weekend off which was nice but now we are back to business.”
Two semifinal finishes in the last four races have the Winternationals winner eager to go the distance. Kalitta will be eyeing the first win for Kalitta Motorsports at New England Dragway when eliminations get underway on Friday.
2018 New England NHRA Nationals Highlights: Qualified No. 9; Beat Terry McMillen; Lost to Leah Pritchett
Last Event Recap (2019 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals): Qual. No. 13; Beat Clay Millican; Lost to Steve Torrence
Quotable: Kalitta on racing in Epping: “We got to the final here early on after the track joined the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. We have gone some rounds but I would love to pick up a win at a new track for sure.”
Career Stats: 501 events, 494 starts, 669 round wins, 45 wins, 97 finals, 50 No. 1 qualifiers
2019 Season:
Winternationals: Qual. No. 7, WINNER; Beat Scott Palmer, Billy Torrence, Terry McMillen and Steve Torrence
Arizona Nationals: Qual. No. 5; Beat Jim Maroney; Lost to Jordan Vandergriff
Gatornationals: Qual. No. 11; Beat Terry McMillen, Steve Torrence; Lost to Clay Millican
Las Vegas1: Qual. No. 7; Beat Terry McMillen and Steve Chrisman; Beat Steve Torrent and Richie Crampton; Lost to Mike Salinas and Brittany Force
Houston: Qual. No. 8; Beat Terry McMillen; Lost to Brittany Force
Charlotte1: Qual. No. 4; Beat Richie Crampton and Lex Joon; Lost to Clay Millican and Leah Pritchett
Atlanta: Qual. No. 3; Lost to Shawn Reed
Richmond: Qual. No. 5; Lost to Scott Palmer
Chicago: Qual. No. 5; Beat Shawn Reed, Pat Dakin; Lost to Mike Salinas
Topeka: Qual. No. 5; Beat Leah Pritchett; Lost to Antron Brown
Bristol: Qual. No. 1; Beat Cameron Ferre, Terry McMillen; Lost to Mike Salinas
Norwalk: Qual. No. 13; Beat Clay Millican; Lost to Steve Torrence
Noteworthy: Looking for first win at New England Dragway.
Kalitta Motorsports PR
