As the 2021 NHRA season comes to a close Doug Kalitta and the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster will be looking to end on a high note with a victory at the Auto Club Finals this weekend. Kalitta will be on the hunt for his 50th Top Fuel career victory and his third win at the historic NHRA season finale. The veteran driver has consistently reached the final rounds at the Auto Club Finals including a win the last time the event was contested in Pomona in 2019. Over the past decade Kalitta has raced to the final round at the historic national event four times.
“I love racing at Pomona that is for sure,” said Kalitta. “We were here in July but starting and ending the season at this track is always special. We have had some great races to close out the season. Two years ago, that was a great win, and we would definitely like to end this season on a high note.”
This season Kalitta will extend his streak of Top Ten finishes to 24 consecutive seasons. During his 20thseason with primary sponsor Mac Tools Kalitta raced to two final rounds in Las Vegas and Houston. The perennial championship contender battled some of the toughest competition throughout the season.
“We had some really good races this season and just needed a few things to go our way,” said Kalitta. “I have to thank everyone from Mac Tools, Toyota, Mobil 1 and all our partners for their support. This is a huge team effort, and we have one more race to really show what we can do.”
Kalitta dominance at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona extends beyond the fall classic. He has won the historic Winternationals the past three years coming into 2021 and was in the final round the two seasons leading up to those victories. The five consecutive finals are an event record for one of the most significant races on the NHRA schedule. Three drivers have six wins at the Pomona racetrack and in addition to Kalitta that list includes only Don Garlits and Tony Schumacher.
“This place is special for sure,” said Kalitta. “We have been fortunate to win the first race of the season here a number of times and we have also ended our season here with a win. Getting that last win of the season gives you some momentum going into the off-season for sure. We are going to be giving it our all this weekend and we’ll see what happens.”
2019 NHRA Auto Club Finals Highlights (event not contested in 2020): WINNER; Qual. No. 6, Beat Terry McMillen, Justin Ashley, Leah Pruett and Richie Crampton
Last Event Recap (2021 Las Vegas Nationals): Qual. No. 13; Lost to Mike Salinas
Career Stats: 543 events, 536 starts, 723 round wins, 49 wins, 107 finals, 50 No. 1 qualifiers
2021 Season:
Gatornationals: Qual. No. 4; Beat Arthur Allen; Lost to Justin Ashley
Las Vegas1: RUNNER-UP; Qual. No. 3; Beat Troy Buff and Rob Passey, Beat Shawn Langdon and Leah Pruett; Lost to Steve Torrence
Atlanta: Qual. No. 9; Lost to Antron Brown
Charlotte1: Qual. No. 12; Beat Josh Hart, Billy Torrence, Kyle Wurtzel; Lost to Brittany Force, Josh Hart
Houston: RUNNER-UP; Qual. No. 9; Beat Brittany Force, Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon; Lost to Steve Torrence
Epping: Qual. No. 5; Beat Shawn Langdon, Lost to Mike Salinas
Norwalk: Qual. No. 11; Lost to Antron Brown
Denver: Qual. No. 4; Lost to Leah Pruett
Sonoma: Qual. No. 8; Beat Mike Salinas; Lost to Steve Torrence
Pomona1: Qual. No. 6; Lost to Clay Millican
Topeka: Qual. No. 9; Lost to Clay Millican
Brainerd: Qual. No. 9; Lost to Clay Millican
Indianapolis: Qual. No. 3; Beat Krista Baldwin; Lost to Billy Torrence
Reading: Qual. No. 9; Lost to Justin Ashley
Charlotte2: Qual. No. 12; Lost to Steve Torrence
St. Louis: Qual. No. 9; Lost to Tripp Tatum
Dallas: Qual. No. 10; Beat Antron Brown; Lost to Steve Torrence
Bristol: Qual. No. 11; Lost to Billy Torrence
Las Vegas2: Qual. No. 13; Lost to Mike Salinas
Kalitta Motorsports PR
