Doug Kalitta Geared Up For Another U.S. Nationals Top Fuel Title
Indianapolis, IN – Another win at this weekend’s NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis would catapult Doug Kalitta and the Mac Tools team 
right into the middle of the Top Fuel championship discussion. The 2019 U.S. Nationals winner and three-time finalist has had a tough regular season but the resilient championship contender who is sitting eighth in the Top Fuel point standings knows all a driver needs is a chance to run for the championship.
“We have been close to the championship before and we are going into Indy and the U.S. Nationals with a great attitude. We are looking at points and a half at that race so we know we can make a move up the standings,” said Kalitta. “We have won this race before and been to a couple more finals. I feel good about our chances.”
For the first time since 2019 when Kalitta captured the U.S. Nationals title the event will be contested over four days with eliminations on Monday. Teams will have five qualifying rounds with each session offering the four quickest competitors bonus points for their efforts. Four points will go to quickest run, three points for second quickest, and so on for the top four. The additional possible 20 points just in qualifying runs could be a game changer for Kalitta and the Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel dragster.
“We have a No. 1 qualifier from the Arizona Nationals earlier this season and we have been starting races near the top of the field almost every weekend,” said Kalitta, who is looking for his 50th career Top Fuel win. “Grabbing some of those qualifying bonus points would go a long way this weekend. I have been No. 1 qualifier at this race twice, but it has been a while. We have a race car that can make quick runs and win rounds on Sunday for sure.”
At the beginning of the season Kalitta was joined by world championship crew chiefs Alan Johnson and Brian Husen. The tandem of world-class tuners have made steady progress all season and with one race left in the regular season before the six-race Countdown playoffs begin they know they have time to make a significant move. Kalitta has only qualified outside the top eight two times all season and many of the races has the 51-time No. 1 qualifier starting fourth or higher. Last year in Indy Kalitta started No. 3 and raced to the quarterfinals.
“We want to come off the trailer on Friday and take advantage of that first run. We will get four more shots at the track over Saturday and Sunday,” said Kalitta. “This race is a marathon, but it is our biggest race of the season. I am looking forward to going rounds with his Mac Tools and Revchem Composites race car for sure.”
2021 NHRA U.S. Nationals Highlights: Qual. No. 3, Beat Krista Baldwin; Lost to Billy Torrence
Last Event Recap 2022 Brainerd Nationals: Qual. 10; Lost to Tony Schumacher
Career Stats: 559 events, 552 starts, 732 round wins, 49 wins, 107 finals, 51 No. 1 qualifiers
2022 Results
Winternationals: Qual. 5; Lost to Tony Schumachersix top four
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
