DEFENDING CHAMPION KALITTA SECOND IN POINTS, SEEKS FIRST WIN AT INAUGURAL POTOMAC NATIONALS
Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster driver looks to repeat new-track magic from Valdosta
MECHANICSVILLE, MD — Two-time and defending NHRA Top Fuel Champion Doug Kalitta rolls into the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals Presented by JEGS sitting second in points and hungry for another win at a track he’s never raced before.
Kalitta, who pilots the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster for the family-owned Kalitta Motorsports operation, is just behind teammate Shawn Langdon in the standings as Team Kalitta goes one-two in Top Fuel. With J.R. Todd tied for the Funny Car points lead, Kalitta Motorsports holds the top position in both professional categories through six races.
The team’s dragsters have combined for four wins in the season’s first six events. Kalitta’s contribution includes a win, two runner-up finishes, and two semifinals. His 60 career Top Fuel wins place him fourth all-time in the category and 12th across all NHRA professional classes. His 68 No. 1 qualifiers tie him with Kenny Bernstein for seventh all-time.
This weekend will be Kalitta’s first race at Maryland International Raceway, but new tracks haven’t slowed him this season. At Valdosta — also a first-time NHRA national event — he earned the No. 1 qualifier spot and advanced to the final round.
“The way our teams are running right now is just a hell of an opportunity. Obviously, Connie (Team Owner Connie Kalitta) gives us everything we need. Having Alan Johnson and Mac Savage (Crew Chiefs Alan Johnson and Mac Savage) — they’re doing a hell of a job. You can kind of tell, with Alan’s excitement, this competition is tough and particularly with Brian (Langdon Crew Chief Brian Husen) over there on Shawn’s car.”
“Early in the year, he told me Brian and Shawn are going to be running a lot better this year so we’re gonna have to be on our game to beat those guys and everyone else. We’re all out here trying to run as fast as we can to set those records, but to be the fastest guy — that’s cool. We have the team to do it, so we’ll keep digging. We’re super excited about J.R.’s team, too. He’s going rounds, and we’re real happy about the consistency there. We’re all trying to make Connie proud.”
“I don’t know how many races and championships those guys (Alan and Brian) won together, but Alan’s trained him up well. Brian’s excited, too, that he has this opportunity to compete against Alan, and you have Shawn over there who’s a great driver. Alan will be excited to stay ahead of those guys — some days, you take what you can get. Alan can make just about as much power as anyone so I’m in a good situation with him for sure. Our two cars are in the same area at the shop so it’s kind of bragging rights for the guys — everybody’s obviously trying to win these things, so we just want to keep turning on the win lights.”
“It’s another new place like we had in South Georgia — that one ended up pretty good for us. I just want to have a good look around at how we get the car to the staging lanes, the starting line area and shutdown area — just look things over. Our Mac Tools team is hungry — it would be really cool to win this first race. We’re looking forward to it.”
The NHRA Potomac Nationals Presented by JEGS is Race 7 of 20 on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule. Qualifying airs Friday and Saturday, May 29-30, from 7-8 p.m. ET on FS1. Finals coverage runs Sunday, May 31, from 3-6 p.m. ET on FOX.
Doug Kalitta Career Stats: 632 events, 60 wins, 69 runners-up, 853 round wins, 68 No. 1 qualifiers.
Photo courtesy: Kalitta Motorsports
