For Top Fuel point leader Doug Kalitta this weekend’s race could not get here fast enough. Since the start of the 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season Kalitta has had the best race car, the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster, in any of the categories across the series. He has raced to three final rounds including a season opening win at the Winternationals. Two weeks ago he stumbled dropping a quarterfinal race to Justin Ashley snapping his final round streak at four races total extending all the way back to the Auto Club Finals in November of 2019.
“My crew chief Rob Flynn and the boys have this Mac Tools dragster running awesome,” said Kalitta. “We went blue last week with new sponsor Osborn and we didn’t get as far into the race as we would have liked. Those guys were great to have at the track and I know we connected them with some of our other partners. You love having new sponsors come to the races and we got a lot of quality time with them.”
For Kalitta this season is one more in a long list of successful endeavors. Earlier this year he picked up his 700th round win and he is two wins away from 50 career Top Fuel victories. As the point leader the veteran driver knows he has a bulls-eye on his back every time he comes to the starting line.
“I love the competition. I have to thank Connie for giving me this opportunity but there is nothing better than getting a win light or running low E.T.,” said Kalitta. “I have been with Mac Tools a long time as well as many other sponsors like Toyota and Mobil1. We have a great team and I am looking forward to getting back to Indy and going more rounds this weekend. We’ll be back in the red Mac Tools dragster with some new TRD, Revchem Composite and Mobil1 logos on this race car.”
Since the season opening win in California Kalitta has held the Top Fuel point lead. Heading into the NHRA Nationals in Indianapolis this weekend he holds a 95 point lead over second place. The dominance and consistency of the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster has provided Kalitta the confidence to stay at the top of his game.
“We had a second round loss two weeks ago and those are tough. We know every race we have a car that can win or at least get to the finals. We are getting good runs in qualifying and then making them count on Sunday. I have said it before Rob Flynn is doing a great job. This race car performs as well or better than any car I have raced. We finished last year strong and picked right up this year,” added Kalitta.
Last Event Recap (2020 NHRA Indy2 Nationals): Qual. No. 6; Beat Doug Foley; Lost to Justin Ashley
Quotable: Doug Kalitta on getting back to Indy: “This will be our third race in a row in Indy and we have the U.S. Nationals on Labor Day weekend. I am glad NHRA is doing everything they can to keep us racing. This is a great track with a lot of history. I am glad to see more fans at the races and we just want everyone to have a good time and be safe.”
Career Stats: 517 events, 510 starts, 701 round wins, 48 wins, 104 finals, 50 No. 1 qualifiers
2020 Season:
Winternationals: Qual. No. 5; WINNER; Beat Brandon Welch, Justin Ashley, Brittany Force and Austin Prock
Arizona Nationals: Qual. No. 8; RUNNER-UP; Beat Shawn Reed, Brittany Force and Antron Brown; Lost to Steve Torrence
Indy1 NHRA Nationals: Qual. No. 2; RUNNER-UP; Beat Lex Joon, Leah Pruett and Antron Brown; Lost to Billy Torrence
Indy2 NHRA Nationals: Qual. No. 6; Beat Doug Foley; Lost to Justin Ashley
Kalitta Motorsports PR
