The familiar red and white Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster and driver Doug Kalitta took on the Texas NHRA Fall Nationals looking to add a third Top Fuel Fall Nationals title to their extensive record of success. The 49-time Top Fuel winner entered the fourth Countdown playoff race as the No. 7 qualifier on the strength of his 3.712 second pass at 327.75 mph. The veteran driver collected a qualifying bonus point for making the third quickest pass of the final qualifying session. It was enough to give the team a great combination going into race day.
Conditions changed dramatically overnight as track temperatures went from the mid-90s to the low-70s on race day. Kalitta faced a tough first round opponent in Toyota teammate Justin Ashley who was also the points leader. When the tree flashed both dragsters took off and accelerated down track as breakneck speeds. The Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster was just a few ticks off its best qualifying effort, but Ashley was in the neighboring lane making his quickest and fastest pass of the weekend for the win.
“We just had a tough first round, but we have a race car that can win rounds,” said Kalitta. “We have two races and this Mac Tools team is hungry for a win. We will be back at it in Las Vegas.”
Statistics:
Qualified: No. 7 (3.712 sec, 327.75 mph)
Bonus points: +1 (3rd quickest of Q4)
Race Details:
First Round
Qual Driver RT ET MPH
7 Doug Kalitta .059 3.714 326.13
10 Justin Ashley .044 3.699 331.08 (W)
Kalitta Motorsports PR
