The Mac Tools Top Fuel team and driver Doug Kalitta are looking to build on the positive momentum they have been gathering over the past two events. The off-season addition of world champion crew chiefs Alan Johnson and Brian Husen has taken hold and the team has raced to back-to-back quarterfinal finishes with a breakthrough event around the corner. The Thunder Valley Nationals could be just the event for the 49-time Top Fuel national event winner to notch win No. 50.
“We have had a lot of success in Bristol for sure,” said Kalitta. “I love that track and it is a Bruton Smith track so you know it will be nice. There is a lot of history in Bristol and the fans really turn out.”
Kalitta has raced to six final rounds at Thunder Valley Dragway collecting Top Fuel wins in 2001, 2005 and 2006. His runner-up finishes have been tallied in 2009, 2012 and most recently 2014 when he lost to now teammate Shawn Langdon. Kalitta is the second winningest Top Fuel driver in the history of the Thunder Valley Nationals
“It is great to go to a track where you have won some races, but we really want to get another win this weekend,” said Kalitta. “Everyone over here on this Mac Tools team has been busting their tails all season and we would love to see four win lights on Sunday.”
Throughout the season Kalitta has had one of the most dominant race cars in qualifying never starting a race lower than sixth on the ladder. He ran to his 51st career No. 1 qualifier at the Arizona Nationals. In three of the last four races he has been either the No. 3 or No. 4 qualifier. Two weeks ago Kalitta and the Mac Tools team jumped to No. 4 on the last qualifying run and raced to the quarterfinals where they were ousted by teammate Shawn Langdon.
“Our race car has been great in qualifying for sure and last week we had to race Shawn early which is tough,” said Kalitta. “The good news on those deals is you know someone from Kalitta Motorsports is going to the next round. This weekend I think we’ll be in good shape and I am looking forward to an exciting weekend.”
Three years ago in Bristol Kalitta started the race from the No. 1 qualifier spot and the veteran driver from Michigan raced to the semifinals. Qualifying for the Thunder Valley Nationals will begin Friday night with one session followed by two more qualifying runs on Saturday. Final eliminations will begin at noon. The Fox network will nationally broadcast the race beginning at 3 p.m. ET.
2021 NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Highlights: Qual. No. 13, Lost to Mike Salinas
Last Event Recap 2022 New England Nationals: Qual 4; Beat Cameron Ferre; Lost to Shawn Langdon
Career Stats: 552 events, 545 starts, 728 round wins, 49 wins, 107 finals, 51 No. 1 qualifiers
2022 Results
Winternationals: Qual. 5; Lost to Tony Schumacher
Arizona Nationals: Qual. 1; Lost to Rob Passey
Gatornationals: Qual 5; Beat Alex Laughlin; Lost to Mike Salinas
Las Vegas1: Qual 6; Lost to Leah Pruett and Shawn Langdon
Houston: Qual 3; Lost to Billy Torrence
Charlotte1: Qual 4; Beat Alex Laughlin, Doug Foley; Lost to Mike Salinas, Cameron Ferre
Richmond: Qual 6; Beat Leah Pruett; Lost to Austin Prock
Epping: Qual 4; Beat Cameron Ferre; Lost to Shawn Langdon
Kalitta Motorsports PR
