BRAINERD, Minn. (Sept. 27, 2025) – – Doug Kalitta earned the No. 1 qualifier for tomorrow’s NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at Worldwide Technology Raceway near St. Louis. The race broadcast is scheduled for 3-6 p.m. eastern time tomorrow on FS1.
Kalitta earned his eighth No. 1 qualifier in 17 races this season and the 66th of his career. The Mac Tools Toyota team made its best run of qualifying in Friday night’s second attempt. Kalitta reached the finish line in 3.675 seconds at 334.82 mph to claim the provisional No. 1 qualifier and held on to it through the two Saturday-afternoon sessions.
“I was sitting back there (last night) thinking ‘I really hope my car goes down the track because everybody is really running well,’” Kalitta said. “It felt good so real fortunate to be able to pull off a good run and go No. 1. This track is in great shape; it’s a challenge for the crew chiefs being a little greasier but in great shape overall.
“Conditions tomorrow will probably be pretty similar to what we had today, and we had a good run on that last one (this afternoon) so we should be looking good. In the end, it’s cool to be the low qualifier; it’s a lot of pride for the guys coming out of Saturday with the quickest time, and it puts us in a good position on the ladder for sure. We definitely like going low, and we hope to make something out of it tomorrow.”
Kalitta will race Will Smith in Sunday’s first round. Langdon is the No. 13 qualifier and will race No. 4 qualifier Shawn Reed in the first round. In Funny Car, J.R. Todd qualified No. 10 and will race No. 7 qualifier Criz Pedregon in Sunday’s first round.
Photo Courtesy: Kalitta Motorsports
The post DOUG KALITTA CLAIMS EIGHTH NO. 1 QUALIFIER IN THE SHADOW OF THE ST. LOUIS ARCH first appeared on Team Kalitta Motorsports.
Continue reading...
Kalitta earned his eighth No. 1 qualifier in 17 races this season and the 66th of his career. The Mac Tools Toyota team made its best run of qualifying in Friday night’s second attempt. Kalitta reached the finish line in 3.675 seconds at 334.82 mph to claim the provisional No. 1 qualifier and held on to it through the two Saturday-afternoon sessions.
“I was sitting back there (last night) thinking ‘I really hope my car goes down the track because everybody is really running well,’” Kalitta said. “It felt good so real fortunate to be able to pull off a good run and go No. 1. This track is in great shape; it’s a challenge for the crew chiefs being a little greasier but in great shape overall.
“Conditions tomorrow will probably be pretty similar to what we had today, and we had a good run on that last one (this afternoon) so we should be looking good. In the end, it’s cool to be the low qualifier; it’s a lot of pride for the guys coming out of Saturday with the quickest time, and it puts us in a good position on the ladder for sure. We definitely like going low, and we hope to make something out of it tomorrow.”
Kalitta will race Will Smith in Sunday’s first round. Langdon is the No. 13 qualifier and will race No. 4 qualifier Shawn Reed in the first round. In Funny Car, J.R. Todd qualified No. 10 and will race No. 7 qualifier Criz Pedregon in Sunday’s first round.
Photo Courtesy: Kalitta Motorsports
The post DOUG KALITTA CLAIMS EIGHTH NO. 1 QUALIFIER IN THE SHADOW OF THE ST. LOUIS ARCH first appeared on Team Kalitta Motorsports.
Continue reading...
