Doug Kalitta, Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster In 2nd After Vegas #2

LAS VEGAS – Qualifying: Doug Kalitta was the No. 4 qualifier at the NHRA Nevada Nationals. It was his 14th top-four qualifying effort of the season including each of the last eight races. His best qualifying attempt came in the final qualifying session Saturday afternoon when he posted a 3.696-second effort at 334.90 mph.

Eliminations: Kalitta defeated T.J. Zizzo before losing to Josh Hart in the second round when the DHL dragster’s engine malfunctioned at the finish line. Hart left the starting line before Kalitta and won the round by one thousandth of a second.

Unofficial Point Standings: Kalitta leaves Las Vegas in second place in the NHRA Top Fuel point standings. He trails first-place Steve Torrence by 15 points and leads third-place Leah Pruett by 19 points.

Kalitta on Las Vegas: “Josh had a better light (reaction time) than I had; it’s unfortunate and obviously bad timing. We’ll lick our wounds for a couple of weeks and get back at it. That’s all we can do. We knew it was going down to Pomona – that’s for sure.”