Post-Race Report
NHRA Reading Nationals
Race 17 of 22 national events
Countdown Race 1 of 6
Maple Grove Raceway
Reading, PA
September 18, 2022
Doug Kalitta Races to Quarterfinals to Start Countdown
Doug Kalitta and the CMR Construction and Roofing Toyota Top Fuel dragster raced to the quarterfinals at Maple Grove Raceway from the No. 7 qualifier spot. After two days of solid runs in preparation for race day Kalitta was confident in his team’s potential heading into the first race of the Countdown. During the opening ceremonies all the Countdown competitors were recognized and celebrated by the near capacity crowd for the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals.
In the opening round facing a Countdown contending opponent Kalitta was at the top of his game grabbing a starting line advantage with a reaction time lead of .071 to .080 seconds and his CMR dragster never trailed in the drag race. He made his quickest run of the weekend a 3.720 second blast at 329.58 mph. The win moved Kalitta into the quarterfinals for the ninth time this season.
“That first round win was a big one for this CMR team,” said Kalitta, a 49-time Top Fuel national event winner. “You can’t afford first round losses in the playoffs with only six races on the line. I have a great team behind me and we want to build on the semifinal success we had at the U.S. Nationals. There is a chance to build momentum in the Countdown during these first three races.”
In the quarterfinals racing fellow Toyota-backed driver Justin Ashley it was a battle between two of the best drivers off the starting line in the category. Kalitta rolled his CMR dragster into the staging beams and just before the tree flashed green his dragster launched a mere -.007 seconds early, forfeiting the round. The loss was a tough end to the day for the championship contender but with five more races on the horizon including two national events in the next ten days the veteran is putting this setback in the rearview mirror.
“I am turning all my attention to the race next weekend in Charlotte,” said Kalitta. “This class has almost no room for error but there are five races left in the playoffs. We have five more chances to get wins and put ourselves in contention for the championship. We are going to focus on the positives and keep moving forward.”
J.R. Todd Leaves Reading Nationals Focused on Charlotte Nationals
J.R. Todd and the DHL Toyota GR Supra team rolled into Maple Grove Raceway on Sunday looking to pick up their second Funny Car national event win at the picturesque track located in the hills of Pennsylvania. In 2018 Todd won this national event on the way to his first Funny Car world championship. After three qualifying runs that saw Todd post one of the quickest runs of the second session Todd, a 10-time national event winner, entered race day as the No. 6 qualifier with lane choice over driver Chad Green.
The pair of 11,000-horspower nitro Funny Cars were the first pair to hit the track for one of the toughest categories in the NHRA. Both cars left side-by-side but Todd quickly got the nose of his DHL Toyota Funny Car out front and kept his race car in the middle of the groove for a winning round. Todd’s scoreboard lit up 3.914 seconds at 330.72 mph beside Green’s 3.932 second pass at 324.59 mph. The margin of victory for Todd was approximately seven feet at the finish line and the run was a near mirror image to his quickest pass in qualifying.
In the quarterfinals Todd matched up with John Force who was making his 800th career start. The wily veteran rolled his Funny Car well into the staging beams as Todd positioned his DHL Toyota GR Supra to take off and when the tree flashed both Funny Cars flew off the starting line. They were side-by-side the entire length of the track but at the finish line Force lit the win light getting the finish line five feet in front of Todd who posted a 3.972 second pass at 327.95 mph in a losing effort.
“We won a close race and lost a close race today,” said Todd. “When you are that close together at the finish line it is pretty wild. I am glad I am getting back in this DHL Toyota in a few days. Charlotte will be a good chance for us to have a good weekend.”
Heading into the second of six playoff races he is sitting in seventh place. Over the final five races of the Countdown Todd will have the chance to close the gap on the six competitors in front of him.
Shawn Langdon and DHL Top Fuel Turn Attention to Next Countdown Race
Entering race day at the Reading NHRA Nationals at a remodeled and packed Maple Grove Raceway Shawn Langdon and the DHL Toyota Top Fuel dragster were qualified No. 12 and looking to improve their championship position. Following two days of qualifying runs Langdon, the 2013 Reading Nationals Top Fuel champion, was primed for a long race day to open the Countdown.
In the opening round Langdon was racing the No. 5 qualifier Steve Torrence and fellow Countdown contender in a tough match-up. Following a lengthy delay to get the first round started Langdon and Torrence were the next to last pair of race cars to hit the starting line.
Recognized as one of the best drivers off the starting line Langdon took a reaction time advantage his trademark throughout the season as soon as the tree flashed. Unfortunately, Langdon’s 11,000-horsepower land rocket overpowered the track and smoked the tires. Langdon let his race car settled down and re-engaged the throttle looking to chase down Torrence who was pulling away, but he was unable to make up the distance deficit.
“Every race is critical and that was a tough loss,” said Langdon. “If you want to make a move in the points you need beat the other Countdown cars. We missed that opportunity today, but we will get right back at it in Charlotte next week.”
As the dragsters crossed the finish line Langdon’s 5.901 second pass was just behind Torrence’s 3.740 second run. Langdon and the DHL Toyota team will be back on track in a week at the Charlotte Nationals at zMax Dragway for the second race of the Countdown.
Unofficial NHRA Camping World Championship Standings:
Top Fuel
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Funny Car
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About Kalitta Motorsports:
Based in Ypsilanti, Mich., Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Camping World Drag Racing Series. The team was founded and is owned by drag racing icon Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta. Celebrating over 60 years of Kalitta Motorsports, Connie has been involved in the sport as a driver, tuner, and an owner. Kalitta Motorsports is one of the most successful teams in the history of auto racing with seven world championships and over 100 national event titles in five different professional drag racing sanctioning bodies since it was established by Connie in 1959.
