Gatornationals Major Win Up Next for Doug Kalitta, Mac Tools  

Gainesville, FL – Three-time Gatornationals winner Doug Kalitta will head to Gainesville Raceway chasing history and looking to protect his Mello Yello Top Fuel points lead. Kalitta and his Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster team has been on a mission to secure the Top Fuel world championship for over two decades and once again they are off to a fast start racing to a win at the Winternationals and a runner-up finish at the Arizona Nationals two weeks ago.

“We are excited with the start to the season but we also know that this is only two races,” said Kalitta. “You want to get some momentum but I know we need to not only start strong but also finish strong. I have a great team and I really like our chances for this season and also heading into the Gatornationals.”

Kalitta’s three wins at the historic Gatornationals were recorded most recently in 2014, 2005 and 2000. He also has two No. 1 qualifiers to his credit in 2013 and 2003. A Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel dragster has won the previous two Gatornationals and Kalitta would like to keep that streak alive in 2020.

“The DHL Top Fuel dragster that Connie (Kalitta) tunes has won the last two Gators so we would love to see an all Kalitta Motorsports final round,” said Kalitta. “There is so much history here for our team and I just get pumped up racing here. We have had a lot of success and I want to keep that positive momentum going.”

In addition to the Gatornationals win streak Kalitta is looking to keep a “Major” win streak going for himself. Last year Kalitta won the prestigious U.S. Nationals for the first time and he closed out the season with a win at the Auto Club Finals. This season started with another win at Auto Club Raceway during the Winternationals and now this weekend a win in Gainesville could give him titles at all four NHRA “Major” national events in a row. This is a feat that has only been accomplished by one other Top Fuel driver. Tony Schumacher won all four “Majors” in 2004 and also held all four titles between the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

“You want to win the big races of the season,” said Kalitta. “We got our first Indy win last year and that was a big boost. I think it does put a little bit of pressure on the other teams but we also put a lot of pressure on ourselves. Getting wins at the Gatornationals or Pomona or Indy definitely make for great memories.”

Beyond the event wins Kalitta is also chasing another major career milestone as he closes in on 700 career round wins in Top Fuel. Entering the Gatornationals he has 697 round wins and a win in the semifinals would be his historic 700th. Only Tony Schumacher has more round wins in Top Fuel and no other driver besides Schumacher has eclipsed 700 round wins in the category.

“I have had a great career and I am looking forward to a lot more round wins. The key to our success I think has been the stability of our team and our sponsors like Mac Tools. So many of those wins have come in the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster and I am very proud to represent them as well as Toyota, SealMaster, DHL and new sponsors like Mobil 1, NGK Spark Plugs, Fifth Third Bank, Osborn and Ozium,” added Kalitta.

2019 NHRA Gatornationals Highlights:  Qual. No. 11, Beat Terry McMillen and Steve Torrence; Lost to Clay Millican

Last Event Recap (2020 NHRA Arizona Nationals): Qual. No. 8; RUNNER-UP; Beat Shawn Reed, Brittany Force and Antron Brown; Lost to Steve Torrence

Career Stats: 515 events, 508 starts, 697 round wins, 48 wins, 103 finals, 50 No. 1 qualifiers