Pre-Race Report
Event 01: Circle K Winternationals
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona
Pomona, Calif.
Feb. 10-12, 2017

Kalitta makes plans for second straight Pomona win
Pomona Highlights: Two wins (Fall 2016, Spring 2009); Six finals (Spring 2016, Spring 2014, Fall 2013, Spring 2010, Spring 2004, Fall 1999); Six no.1 qualifiers (Spring 2014, Fall 2006, Fall 2004, Spring 2004, Spring 2003, Spring 2001)

2016 Winternationals Event Recap: Qualified second; Finalist (Defeated Scott Palmer in the first round, Antron Brown in the quarter-finals, J.R. Todd in the semi-finals, lost to Steve Torrence in the finals.)

2016 Auto Club Finals Event Recap: Qualified second; Race Winner (Defeated Shawn Reed in the first round, Tony Schumacher in the quarter-finals, Shawn Langdon in the semi-finals and J.R. Todd in the final)

Quotable: “We had a great test with this Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel machine and Pomona was great to us last season! The Mac Tools team is really focused on making each race count and we cannot wait to get back to racing this weekend at historic Auto Club Raceway, especially after winning here last fall.”

Career Stats: 434 starts, 589 round wins (10th all-time), 42 wins (Fifth all-time in Top Fuel), 87 finals, 47 no.1 qualifiers (13th all-time)

2016 Season Stats: Four wins (Houston, Atlanta, Topeka, Pomona-II); Four no.1 qualifiers (Phoenix, Atlanta, Norwalk, Charlotte-II); Two finals (Pomona-I, Charlotte-II); 44 round wins; second in the final standings

Noteworthy: could become the ninth driver to hit 600 round wins this season; also will reach 1,000 career rounds competed early this year; uncle Connie Kalitta scored first NHRA win at the Winternationals in 1967