Doug Kalitta and the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster have enjoyed success at the Mile High NHRA Nationals for over two decades. The veteran Top Fuel driver raced to his first final round at the storied race track, carved into the side of a mountain in 1999, his second year behind the wheel of a Top Fuel dragster. Since that race Kalitta has appeared in five more final rounds picking up a win in a 2010 and posting a runner-up finish at last year’s race.
“We had a pretty good race car last year,” said Kalitta. “The performance numbers are different at that elevation but we had one of the quickest race cars every round of eliminations. We stepped it up in the final round but just missed getting that one last win light.”
Kalitta’s history at Bandimere Speedway gives him a lot of confidence both personal and professional. He is one of three Kalitta named drivers to hoist a Wally at the Mile High Nationals. Team Kalitta namesake Connie won twice at Bandimere (1984 and 1985) and Doug’s cousin, Scott is a three-time Top Fuel winner (1994, 95 and 2004).
“Yeah, the Kalittas have had a lot of success in Denver,” said Kalitta. “It is cool to have a race track with so much history for our family and our team. The Bandimeres are great people and great track operators. This is a great place to race for the fans and the teams. They have continued to make improvements and develop this place into one of the top stops on the tour.”
Doug’s last win this season was recorded at the season opening Winternationals. Since that time the consistent championship contender has been near the top of the Mello Yello Top Fuel point standings. He has recorded four more semi-final finishes and has qualified in the top half of the field in nine of the last ten NHRA national events.
“Really we have been making good consistent runs in qualifying and going rounds on race day,” said Kalitta. “The class is ultra-competitive. Once you get past the first round you are looking at eight race cars that could and should win the race. We are seeing championship caliber race cars getting taken out in the first round as well. I love racing with that kind of competition. You have to raise your game as a driver every round.”
2018 Mile High NHRA Nationals Highlights: Qual. No. 10; RUNNER-UP; Beat Tony Schumacher, Jim Maroney, Blake Alexander; Lost to Leah Pritchett
Last Event Recap (2019 New England NHRA Nationals): Qual. No. 3; Lost to Terry McMillen
Quotable: Kalitta on starting the Western Swing: “We have been to a lot of final rounds at Bandimere Speedway. We got a win in 2010 and I want to park this Mac Tool Top Fuel dragster in the winner’s circle again. Only one driver can leave Bandimere with a chance at sweeping the Western Swing and I want that Top Fuel driver to be me.”
Career Stats: 502 events, 495 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
Epping: Qual. No. 3; Lost to Terry McMillen
Kalitta Motorsports PR
