Doug Kalitta and the Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel dragster will head to the desert for the NHRA Nevada Nationals chasing career win No. 50 and a strong finish to the 2022 NHRA season. Since the historic U. S. Nationals in Indianapolis Kalitta has raced to three semifinals and a quarterfinal finish to continue to keep his Top Ten position in the points and highlight the progress the Alan Johnson and Brian Husen tuned 11,000-horsepower dragster have made since taking over at the beginning of the 2022 season. With two races left on the racing calendar Kalitta is heading to familiar territory and a track where he has enjoyed sustained success.
The veteran driver has race to two NHRA Nevada Nationals winner’s circles at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway most recently in 2015 and 2004. Additionally, Kalitta has raced to the 2007 Nevada Nationals final round and four final rounds at the spring national event (2021, 2014, 2005 and 2003).
“We love racing at Las Vegas,” said Kalitta. “There are just some tracks where you go rounds and The Strip is one of those places for me. We will be looking for four win lights on Sunday to make a big donation to Feeding America and also get that 50th Top Fuel win.”
Since the Charlotte Countdown race Kalitta along with teammates Shawn Langdon and J.R. Todd have been racing in support of Feeding America and every win light on race day means Kalitta Motorsports donates 10,000 meals with long-time sponsor DHL matching the donation for a total of 20,000 meals for every round win. So far, the three Kalitta drivers have donated 180,000 meals to Feeding America. This weekend will be the final race of a four-race stretch for the program and Kalitta Air has also joined the initiative with additional donations.
In addition to the final round and race win dominance in Top Fuel at The Strip Kalitta and his Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster has secured two No. 1 qualifiers (2005 and 2003). Kalitta has started from the top half of the field 17 times this season with a No. 1 qualifier, his career 51st, at the Arizona Nationals earlier this season. On seven of those occasions Kalitta has started from No. 4 or higher including the Midwest Nationals two races ago when he raced to the semifinal round.
“We have a really quick hot rod and we are starting to see it come around on race day,” said Kalitta. “I am excited about this race in Las Vegas and finishing the season on a high note. We have been winning rounds on Sunday and you get into a good groove. I have a lot of confidence in Alan and Brian and this whole Mac Tools team. I know we are moving in the right direction.”
The first of two Friday qualifying sessions will get underway for Kalitta and the rest of the Top Fuel field at 1:30 p.m. with two more sessions on Saturday before final eliminations for the 16-quickest land rockets begins at 11 a.m. local time.
2021 Nevada Nationals Highlights: Qual. No. 13; Lost Mike Salinas
Last Event Recap 2022 Texas Fall Nationals: Qual. 7; Lost to Justin Ashley
Career Stats: 564 events, 557 starts, 739 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
Bristol: Qual 12; Lost to Brittany Force
Norwalk: Qual. No. 6; Beat Antron Brown; Lost to Mike Salinas
Denver: Qual. No. 8; Lost to Josh Hart
Sonoma: Qual. 2; Beat Ron August, Josh Hart; Lost to Mike Salinas
Seattle: Qual. 4; Beat Alex Laughlin; Lost to Leah Pruett
Topeka: Qual. 5; Lost to Tony Schumacher
Brainerd: Qual. 10; Lost to Tony Schumacher
Indianapolis: Qual. 12; Beat Clay Millican, Mike Salinas; Lost to Brittany Force
Reading: Qual. 7; Beat Leah Pruett; Lost to Justin Ashley
Charlotte2: Qual. 5; Beat Shawn Langdon, Mike Salinas; Lost to Justin Ashley
St. Louis: Qual. 4; Beat Doug Foley, Brittany Force; Lost to Steve Torrence
Dallas: Qual. 7; Lost to Justin Ashley
Kalitta Motorsports PR
