Doug Kalitta, Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster
Finals Broadcast Replay (eastern time): 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 on FS2
Qualifying: Doug Kalitta was the No. 6 qualifier at the season opening Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. During the second round of qualifying Friday evening, Kalitta reached the finish line in 3.703 seconds at 334.07 mph.
Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star Callout: Kalitta was defending champion and top seed for this special event for the eight drivers who earned the most qualifying bonus points last season. Kalitta called out Clay Millican, the driver he called out and defeated in the first round last year. Millican turned the tables this year. Kalitta was leading the race when the Mac Tools dragster smoked the tires giving Millican an easy win.
Eliminations: Kalitta defeated Justin Ashley, Leah Pruett and Top Fuel rookie Maddie Gordon on his way to his fourth Gatornationals final round. After a thunderstorm delayed the event for nearly two hours, Kalitta raced Josh Hart in the final round. Kalitta was off the starting line first, but the Mac Tools dragster dropped a cylinder almost immediately. Hart raced to the victory with a 3.733-second run at 337.83 mph to Kalitta’s 3.877 at 319.60 mph. Hart’s margin of victory was .1374 seconds. It was the first time Kalitta raced in a Gainesville final round but did not win the race.
When Kalitta advanced to the semifinals, he earned a spot in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge at the next race near Phoenix. During Saturday’s qualifying sessions, the drivers who reached the semifinals in Gainesville will re-run the semifinals and final earning additional purse and championship bonus points.
Unofficial Point Standings: Kalitta leaves Gainesville in second place in the NHRA Top Fuel point standings. He trails points leader Josh Hart by 26 points and leads third-place Antron Brown by 20 points.
Kalitta on Gainesville: “That was close. I had a lot of confidence going up there – I thought we had ‘em for sure the way the Mac Tools car is running. It dropped cylinder early, and running on seven just isn’t gonna do it. It was a great job by all my guys, Alan Johnson and Mac Savage (Crew Chief Alan Johnson, Assistant Crew Chief Mac Savage). What can I say about those guys? They’re just bad to the bone, and I’m real fortunate to be wheelin’ this thing. Really appreciate Mac Tools, Fifth Third Bank, PJH Trackbite, Revchem and everyone else that helps us make it happen. I’m looking forward to getting to the next one to keep doing what we’re doing.”
Doug Kalitta Photo Courtesy: Kalitta Motorsports
Next Race: Team Kalitta will be back in action March 20-22, 2026, at the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs in Chandler, Ariz. For additional information, please visit www.nhra.com. For additional information on Kalitta Motorsports, please visit www.teamkalitta.com.
The post Doug Kalitta Opens NHRA Title Defense with Final Round Run first appeared on Team Kalitta Motorsports.
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Finals Broadcast Replay (eastern time): 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 on FS2
Qualifying: Doug Kalitta was the No. 6 qualifier at the season opening Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. During the second round of qualifying Friday evening, Kalitta reached the finish line in 3.703 seconds at 334.07 mph.
Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star Callout: Kalitta was defending champion and top seed for this special event for the eight drivers who earned the most qualifying bonus points last season. Kalitta called out Clay Millican, the driver he called out and defeated in the first round last year. Millican turned the tables this year. Kalitta was leading the race when the Mac Tools dragster smoked the tires giving Millican an easy win.
Eliminations: Kalitta defeated Justin Ashley, Leah Pruett and Top Fuel rookie Maddie Gordon on his way to his fourth Gatornationals final round. After a thunderstorm delayed the event for nearly two hours, Kalitta raced Josh Hart in the final round. Kalitta was off the starting line first, but the Mac Tools dragster dropped a cylinder almost immediately. Hart raced to the victory with a 3.733-second run at 337.83 mph to Kalitta’s 3.877 at 319.60 mph. Hart’s margin of victory was .1374 seconds. It was the first time Kalitta raced in a Gainesville final round but did not win the race.
When Kalitta advanced to the semifinals, he earned a spot in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge at the next race near Phoenix. During Saturday’s qualifying sessions, the drivers who reached the semifinals in Gainesville will re-run the semifinals and final earning additional purse and championship bonus points.
Unofficial Point Standings: Kalitta leaves Gainesville in second place in the NHRA Top Fuel point standings. He trails points leader Josh Hart by 26 points and leads third-place Antron Brown by 20 points.
Kalitta on Gainesville: “That was close. I had a lot of confidence going up there – I thought we had ‘em for sure the way the Mac Tools car is running. It dropped cylinder early, and running on seven just isn’t gonna do it. It was a great job by all my guys, Alan Johnson and Mac Savage (Crew Chief Alan Johnson, Assistant Crew Chief Mac Savage). What can I say about those guys? They’re just bad to the bone, and I’m real fortunate to be wheelin’ this thing. Really appreciate Mac Tools, Fifth Third Bank, PJH Trackbite, Revchem and everyone else that helps us make it happen. I’m looking forward to getting to the next one to keep doing what we’re doing.”
Doug Kalitta Photo Courtesy: Kalitta Motorsports
Next Race: Team Kalitta will be back in action March 20-22, 2026, at the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs in Chandler, Ariz. For additional information, please visit www.nhra.com. For additional information on Kalitta Motorsports, please visit www.teamkalitta.com.
The post Doug Kalitta Opens NHRA Title Defense with Final Round Run first appeared on Team Kalitta Motorsports.
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