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Doug Kalitta, Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster  58th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals Auto Club Raceway at Pomona

Doug Kalitta tells us about his win at the Winternationals.

Tell us about your win today:  “To get the first win of the season and get that monkey off your back is huge. It was kind of a lucky day. Our Mac Tools Toyota dragster coasted across the finish line twice, but we were still getting the win light. It was one of those crazy days and we went through a lot of parts, but we got it done.  We don’t care how we win, as soon as the win light comes on, we’re moving on to the next round.  It was a great victory for us.”

What was the key in winning with the long delays and short turnarounds?  “I can’t give enough credit to the entire team. Not only my guys, but the Kalitta Air guys all pitched in and we needed them. It was a thrash to make to at least three of the four rounds. It was just a great team effort. We have the team and the people to get it done.”

What does it mean to win here at the Winternationals?  “We love coming here to Pomona. It just has so much and growing up around Connie, this was a big deal. It’s just a great place to run.”

What’s next?  “My guys have a lot of work to do to prepare for Phoenix.  We blew up a lot of stuff today. They’ll be working right up until Phoenix to get everything fresh again. But we’ll be ready. We’ll go there and see if we can qualify upfront and try to get another win.”

Notes:

The win is the second Winternationals title for Kalitta after previously defeating Antron Brown in 2009.  It came in his third consecutive Winternationals final.  He also has reached the finals in four of the last five Pomona races.

Today’s win is the 44th for Doug Kalitta in Top Fuel competition – good for fifth all-time.

First Round: Defeated Richie Crampton, 4.121-4234
Second Round: Defeated Scott Palmer, 3.760-3.832
Semi-finals: Defeated Clay Millican, 3.866-4.860
Finals: Defeated Tony Schumacher, 3.779-4.715

Next NHRA race: Feb. 23-25, Arizona Nationals Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, Phoenix, Arizona

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