Category Archives: Kalitta Racing

Kalitta Motorsports–Bandimere Speedway

Post-Race Report
Event 14: NHRA Mile High Nationals
Bandimere Speedway
Morrison, Colo.
July 21-23

Kalitta falls in close second round race
Race Recap: Doug Kalitta and the Mac Tools team were focused on starting the annual Western Swing strong.

After a starter issue in the first qualifying session, the Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel dragster was on point through the remainder of qualifying. Kalitta was on the provisional pole after his 3.767 second pass. However, for the second time in the last four events, it was taken from him in the final qualifying session. Still, the Mac Tools team was pleased with the second starting spot and their three clean qualifying passes.

First up for Kalitta was the debuting Greg Carrillo. Kalitta and Carrillo were off of the line together but the Mac Tools machine was ahead by the 60 foot line and never looked back as he took the opening round win.

In the quarterfinals, Kalitta drew defending champion Antron Brown. The Mac Tools dragster had lane choice, and Kalitta was able to get the jump on Brown at the starting line. Kalitta’s holeshot advantage had the Mac Tools Toyota ahead at the 330 foot line but Brown was able to drive around Kalitta soon after and win by mere inches.

Statistics:
Qualified: No. 2 (3.767 sec., 323.97 mph)

E1: Kalitta defeated Carrillo – 3.827 sec., 320.20 mph to 4.344 sec., 281.01 mph

E2: Kalitta defeated by Brown – 3.814 sec., 324.75 mph to 3.796 sec., 315.34 mph

Quotable: “Just lost a close race to another great competitor. Nothing to hang our heads about. We will get this Mac Tools Toyota reloaded and ready for Sonoma.”

Point Standings: Fifth; trails Tony Schumacher by 101 points for fourth; leads Brittany Force by two points for six

Kalitta Motorsports–Norwalk Post Race

Post-Race Report
Event 12: NHRA Norwalk Nationals
Summit Motorsports Park
Norwalk, Ohio
June 23-25

Kalitta makes the Norwalk final
Race Recap: After suffering a tough first round loss to his teammate in Bristol, Doug Kalitta was looking for redemption at his home track.

The redemption started early. Kalitta earned five of the possible six bonus points in resetting his own track elapsed time record with a 3.709 second pass on Friday evening. This time, Kalitta’s run would hold through Saturday’s qualifying efforts and Kalitta would have his first no.1 qualifier of the season and 48th of his career. It was his third straight and fourth in the last five seasons at Norwalk. Continue reading Kalitta Motorsports–Norwalk Post Race

Langdon claims two more round wins in quest for top ten

Post-Race Report
Event 11: NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
Bristol Dragway
Bristol, Tenn.
June 16-18

Langdon claims two more round wins in quest for top ten
Race Recap: The Global Electronic Technology team with driver Shawn Langdon came into Bristol looking to cut down the gap even more on the chase for the top ten in the standings. Statistically, Bristol was one of Langdon’s best tracks as he had claimed victory at Thunder Valley two of the past three seasons. Continue reading Langdon claims two more round wins in quest for top ten

Kalitta Motorsports–Englishtown

Post-Race Report
Event 10: NHRA Summernationals
Old Bridge Raceway Township Park
Englishtown, NJ
June 9-11

Kalitta advances to Englishtown semi-final
Race Recap: After suffering just their second opening round loss of the season in Epping, Doug Kalitta and the Mac Tools team got more results this weekend at the annual Summernationals in Englishtown, New Jersey.

Kalitta made one good qualifying pass, but the Mac Tools team made it count with a bonus-point earning 3.733 second pass that gave them the third starting spot. Kalitta’s 329.75 mph pass set the top speed for the second straight event after the Mac Tools’ team record-setting run in Epping. Continue reading Kalitta Motorsports–Englishtown

Kalitta Motorsports–New England Dragway Advance

Pre-Race Report
Event 09: NHRA New England Nationals
New England Dragway
Epping, NH
June 2-4

Kalitta desires first Epping win
Epping Highlights: Track MPH Record Holder (329.26 MPH – 2016); One Final (2014); One no. 1 qualifier (2013)

Last Event Recap (Topeka): Qualified seventh; Quarter-final finish (Defeated Scott Palmer in the first round, lost to Leah Pritchett in the quarter-finals)

2016 New England Nationals Recap: Qualified sixth; Semi-finalist (Defeated Terry McMillen in the first round and Todd Paton in the quarter-finals, lost to Steve Torrence in the semi-finals) Continue reading Kalitta Motorsports–New England Dragway Advance

Kalitta Racing–Heartland Park Topeka

Post-Race Report
Event 08: Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals
Heartland Park Topeka
Topeka, Kan.
May 19-21

Kalitta hits milestone in first round win
Race Recap: The Mac Tools team arrived in Heartland Park Topeka looking for a repeat in last year’s winning fortune.

Qualifying was uncharacteristically rough for the Mac Tools team and Doug Kalitta. They made one clean pass in the three available attempts after Friday evening’s session was cancelled due to weather. However, the one run was a good one as it earned Kalitta the seventh starting spot. Continue reading Kalitta Racing–Heartland Park Topeka

Kalitta Earns Milestone Round Win

Post-Race Report
Event 07: NHRA Southern Nationals
Atlanta Dragway
Commerce, Ga.
May 5-7

Kalitta earns milestone round win
Race Recap: Doug Kalitta came back to the site of one of his most exciting wins, last season’s near tie with his teammate J.R. Todd, which was the closest finish in NHRA history. The Mac Tools team were looking for a repeat.

Kalitta and the Mac Tools team were solid again in qualifying earning another top five start with their 3.764 second effort in the afternoon qualifying session on Saturday. That gave him the fifth starting spot and a first round pairing with Chris Karamesines. Continue reading Kalitta Earns Milestone Round Win

Pre-Race Report Event 06: NHRA 4-Wide Nationals

Pre-Race Report
Event 06: NHRA 4-Wide Nationals
zMax Dragway
Charlotte
April 28-30

Kalitta looks to claim first Charlotte Wally
Charlotte Highlights: Three finals (Fall 2016, Fall 2010, Spring 2010); One no. 1 qualifier (Fall 2016)

Last Event Recap (Houston): Qualified third; Quarter-final finish (Defeated Terry McMillen in the first round, lost to Leah Pritchett in the quarter-finals)

2016 4-Wides Recap: Qualified fourth; Third in final quad (Defeated Smax Smith and Scott Palmer in the first quad and Steve Torrence and Tony Schumacher in the second quad, lost to Brittany Force in the final quad.) Continue reading Pre-Race Report Event 06: NHRA 4-Wide Nationals

Post-Race Report Event 05: NHRA SpringNationals Royal Purple Raceway Houston April 21-23

DeJoria continues run of opening round success
Race Recap: After picking up her first round win of the season in Las Vegas, DeJoria was looking for more in Texas, her adopted home state.

DeJoria started out qualifying strong with a solid pass that earned her two bonus points. The Tequila Patrón team closed with an even better run that earned her the ninth starting spot.

DeJoria and her foe, Tim Wilkerson, were the last nitro pair to see the track. The Tequila Patrón Camry was straight and true down the track giving DeJoria her second straight opening round win after Wilkerson encountered immediate issues. In the quarter-finals, DeJoria was able to get the jump on her opponent, Courtney Force, but was unable to make a clean pass yielding the round win to Force. Continue reading Post-Race Report Event 05: NHRA SpringNationals Royal Purple Raceway Houston April 21-23

Defending Houston event champion Kalitta has potential for major career milestone

Defending Houston event champion Kalitta has potential for major career milestone
Houston Highlights: Defending event champion; Only driver in Top Fuel history with back-to-back wins at Houston; Three wins (2016, 2015, 2003); Three no.1 qualifiers (2013, 2003, 2002)

Last Event Recap (Las Vegas): Qualified third; Semi-finalist (Defeated Steve Chrisman in the first round and Clay Millican in the quarter-finals, lost to Tony Schumacher in the semi-finals) Continue reading Defending Houston event champion Kalitta has potential for major career milestone

Kalitta Motorsports–Las Vegas

Post-Race Report
Event 04: NHRA Las Vegas Nationals
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas
March 31 – April 2

Kalitta earns second consecutive semi-final result
Race Recap: After earning a semi-final finish at the Gatornationals, Kalitta and the Mac Tools team turned to Las Vegas where he had seen much success. However, the talented driver was still searching for his first spring Vegas win to add to his two Toyota Nationals triumphs.

Kalitta failed to make a clean pass on Friday, but the Mac Tools team more than made up for it on Saturday. They earned five of the possible six bonus points with two solid passes. The best, a 3.758, moved him all the way to third overall. Continue reading Kalitta Motorsports–Las Vegas

Kalitta Racing Gainesville Pre-Race

Pre-Race Report
Event 03: Gatornationals
Gainesville Raceway
Gainesville, Fla.
March 17-19, 2017

Kalitta desires fourth Gator triumph
Gainesville Highlights: Three wins (2014, 2005, 2000); Two no.1 qualifiers (2013, 2003)

Last Event Recap (Phoenix): Qualified fifth; First round defeat (Lost to Shawn Reed in the first round)

2016 Gatornationals Recap: Qualified eighth; First round defeat (Lost to Dave Connolly in the first round) Continue reading Kalitta Racing Gainesville Pre-Race

Kalitta–Arizona Nationals Advance

Pre-Race Report
Event 02: Arizona Nationals
Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park
Chandler, Ariz.
Feb. 24-26, 2017

Track record holder, Kalitta, looks to build on strong 2017 start
Phoenix Highlights: One win (2001); Three finals (2015, 2010, 2004); Four no.1 qualifiers (2016, 2014, 2013, 2003); Track Elapsed Time Record Holder (3.716 sec.)

Last Event Recap (Pomona): Qualified second; Finalist (Defeated Steve Faria in the first round, Terry McMillen in the quarter-finals and Antron Brown in the semi-finals, lost to Leah Pritchett in the finals.) Continue reading Kalitta–Arizona Nationals Advance

Kalitta makes plans for second straight Pomona win

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.)
Continue reading Kalitta makes plans for second straight Pomona win