MARTIN, Mich. (Sept. 19, 2026) – – Doug Kalitta is the No. 1 qualifier for tomorrow’s inaugural Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by Mopar at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Mich. Sunday’s race broadcast is scheduled for 2-5 p.m. on FS1.
Kalitta made his best qualifying attempt during Saturday’s rain-delayed third qualifying round, but he was equally stellar in the first two qualifying rounds on Friday and led the field following Friday. Heavy rain moved in overnight and delayed the third qualifying round by three hours, but Kalitta was stout. The Applied Innovation Top Fuel dragster reached the finish line in 3.660 seconds at 338.86 mph, and Kalitta held on through the final session late Saturday afternoon. It is Kalitta’s fifth No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 71st of his career.
“I’m super proud of Alan, Mac (Crew Chiefs Alan Johnson and Mac Savage) and this whole Applied Innovation team – that Applied car really looks good,” Kalitta said. “We have Connie (Team Owner Connie Kalitta) in the house so we’re trying to look good in front of him. We have everybody from Applied Innovation and Kalitta Air here and a lot of our friends and family. It’s great to have everybody here when the car is this good. We’re looking forward to having a productive day tomorrow”
Kalitta will race No. 16 qualifier Kyle Satenstein in the first round. His teammate, Shawn Langdon is the No. 4 qualifier and will race No. 13 qualifier Maddi Gordon. In Funny Car, J.R. Todd qualified fifth and will race No. 12 qualifier Dave Richards in the first round.
Photo Courtesy: Kalitta Motorsports
The post Doug Kalitta Claims Fifth No. 1 Qualifier of Season and 71st of Career at Inaugural NHRA Great Lakes Nationals first appeared on Team Kalitta Motorsports.
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Kalitta made his best qualifying attempt during Saturday’s rain-delayed third qualifying round, but he was equally stellar in the first two qualifying rounds on Friday and led the field following Friday. Heavy rain moved in overnight and delayed the third qualifying round by three hours, but Kalitta was stout. The Applied Innovation Top Fuel dragster reached the finish line in 3.660 seconds at 338.86 mph, and Kalitta held on through the final session late Saturday afternoon. It is Kalitta’s fifth No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 71st of his career.
“I’m super proud of Alan, Mac (Crew Chiefs Alan Johnson and Mac Savage) and this whole Applied Innovation team – that Applied car really looks good,” Kalitta said. “We have Connie (Team Owner Connie Kalitta) in the house so we’re trying to look good in front of him. We have everybody from Applied Innovation and Kalitta Air here and a lot of our friends and family. It’s great to have everybody here when the car is this good. We’re looking forward to having a productive day tomorrow”
Kalitta will race No. 16 qualifier Kyle Satenstein in the first round. His teammate, Shawn Langdon is the No. 4 qualifier and will race No. 13 qualifier Maddi Gordon. In Funny Car, J.R. Todd qualified fifth and will race No. 12 qualifier Dave Richards in the first round.
Photo Courtesy: Kalitta Motorsports
The post Doug Kalitta Claims Fifth No. 1 Qualifier of Season and 71st of Career at Inaugural NHRA Great Lakes Nationals first appeared on Team Kalitta Motorsports.
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