Pre-Race Team Kalitta Notes
Event : 2021 Auto Club Finals
Countdown Race 7 of 7
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona
Pomona, CA
November 12-14, 2021
Heading into the final race of the Countdown Team Kalitta has all three teams racing for for strong finishes in 2021. J.R, Todd is sitting fourth and looking for his second Auto Club Finals win in Funny Car. Doug Kalitta and Shawn Langdon will be looking take the Top Fuel title and move up in the Top Ten.Countdown Race 7 of 7
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona
Pomona, CA
November 12-14, 2021
J.R. Todd and DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car Striving for Strong Finish at Pomona
The DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car team and J.R. Todd have a mathematical chance at the 2021 NHRA championship but the odds are not in their favor. The Gatornationals winner could close out the season with a bookend win and come up most likely a few rounds short of his second title. In 2018 Todd raced to victory at the Auto Club Finals and clinched his first Funny Car championship and win this year would most likely give him a top three finish in one of the most competitive classes of the series.
“We hurt ourselves in Las Vegas, but we can still finish strong in Pomona,” said Todd. “This championship has been a battle between four or five drivers all season it seems. No one has really dominated. I am proud of everyone on this DHL Toyota Funny Car team because we fought hard all season and it is coming down the to the last race.”
The season-opening win at the historic Gatornationals kept Todd in the championship conversation all year. His runner-up finish at the Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals combined with back-to-back runner-up finishes at the July Winternationals in Pomona and then Topeka were strong statements headed into the Countdown.
During the Countdown Todd kept his first round winning streak alive until two weeks ago in Las Vegas. An upset loss for the No. 3 qualifier in the first round was only the second time this season the DHL Toyota Camry did not advance to the quarterfinals. Over the six races so far of the Countdown Todd has a runner-up finish in Bristol and two semifinals finishes.
“Everyone knows you have to avoid first round losses in the Countdown, and we have avoided them almost the whole season,” said Todd. “This DHL Toyota has been one of the most consistent and quick race cars all season. I have to thank Todd Smith and Jon Oberhofer plus all these Yella Fellas for giving me a great race car every event. We are going to leave it all on the table in Pomona this weekend.”
2019 NHRA Auto Club Finals Highlights (event not contested in 2020): Qual. No. 10; Beat Tommy Johnson Jr.; Lost to Jack Beckman
Last Event Recap (2021 Las Vegas Nationals): Qual. No. 3; Lost to Paul Lee
Career Stats: 254 events, 246 starts, 281 round wins, 19 wins, 40 finals, 14 No. 1 qualifiers; In Funny Car: 102 events, 102 starts, 10 wins, 20 finals, 133 round wins, 5 No. 1 qualifiers
2021 Season:
Gatornationals: WINNER; Qual. No. 6; Beat Blake Alexander, Tim Wilkerson, Cruz Pedregon and Robert Hight
Las Vegas1: Qual. No. 9; Beat Cruz Pedregon and Jonnie Lindberg; Lost to Ron Capps and Bob Tasca III
Atlanta: Qual. No. 1; Beat Alexis DeJoria, bye; Lost to John Force
Charlotte1: RUNNER-UP; Qual. No.4; Beat Terry Haddock, Jim Campbell, Tim Wilkerson; Beat Mike McIntire, Terry Haddock; Lost to John Force, Beat Cruz Pedregon, Alexis DeJoria
Houston: Qual. No. 8; Beat John Force; Lost to Bob Tasca III
Epping: Qual. No. 9; Beat Cruz Pedregon, Lost to John Force
Norwalk: Qual. No. 9; Beat Mike McIntire, Lost to Ron Capps
Denver: Qual. No. 7; Lost to Bob Tasca III
Sonoma: Qual. No. 12; Beat John Force; Lost to Robert Hight
Pomona1: RUNNER-UP; Qual. No. 7; Beat Jeff Diehl, Robert Hight, Jim Campbell; Lost to Ron Capps
Topeka: RUNNER-UP; Qual. No. 1; Beat Bye, Ron Capps, Blake Alexander; Lost to John Force
Brainerd: Qual. No. 11; Beat Robert Hight, Tim Wilkerson; Lost to Cruz Pedregon
Indianapolis: Qual. No. 5; Beat Jim Campbell; Lost to Cruz Pedregon
Reading: Qual. No. 7; Beat Alexis DeJoria, Cruz Pedregon; Lost to Tommy Johnson Jr.
Charlotte2: Qual. No. 6; Beat Mike McIntire; Lost to Cruz Pedregon
St. Louis: Qual. No. 9; Beat Tim Wilkerson; Lost to Matt Hagan
Dallas: Qual. No. 8; Beat Tim Wilkerson, Robert Hight; Lost to Matt Hagan
Bristol: RUNNER-UP; Qual. No. 12; Beat Matt Hagan, John Force, Ron Capps; Lost to Alexis DeJoria
Las Vegas2: Qual. No. 3; Lost to Paul Lee
Doug Kalitta and Mac Tools Looking for More History at NHRA Finals
As the 2021 NHRA season comes to a close Doug Kalitta and the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster will be looking to end on a high note with a victory at the Auto Club Finals this weekend. Kalitta will be on the hunt for his 50th Top Fuel career victory and his third win at the historic NHRA season finale. The veteran driver has consistently reached the final rounds at the Auto Club Finals including a win the last time the event was contested in Pomona in 2019. Over the past decade Kalitta has raced to the final round at the historic national event four times.
“I love racing at Pomona that is for sure,” said Kalitta. “We were here in July but starting and ending the season at this track is always special. We have had some great races to close out the season. Two years ago, that was a great win, and we would definitely like to end this season on a high note.”
This season Kalitta will extend his streak of Top Ten finishes to 24 consecutive seasons. During his 20th season with primary sponsor Mac Tools Kalitta raced to two final rounds in Las Vegas and Houston. The perennial championship contender battled some of the toughest competition throughout the season.
“We had some really good races this season and just needed a few things to go our way,” said Kalitta. “I have to thank everyone from Mac Tools, Toyota, Mobil 1 and all our partners for their support. This is a huge team effort, and we have one more race to really show what we can do.”
Kalitta dominance at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona extends beyond the fall classic. He has won the historic Winternationals the past three years coming into 2021 and was in the final round the two seasons leading up to those victories. The five consecutive finals are an event record for one of the most significant races on the NHRA schedule. Three drivers have six wins at the Pomona racetrack and in addition to Kalitta that list includes only Don Garlits and Tony Schumacher.
“This place is special for sure,” said Kalitta. “We have been fortunate to win the first race of the season here a number of times and we have also ended our season here with a win. Getting that last win of the season gives you some momentum going into the off-season for sure. We are going to be giving it our all this weekend and we’ll see what happens.”
2019 NHRA Auto Club Finals Highlights (event not contested in 2020): WINNER; Qual. No. 6, Beat Terry McMillen, Justin Ashley, Leah Pruett and Richie Crampton
Last Event Recap (2021 Las Vegas Nationals): Qual. No. 13; Lost to Mike Salinas
Career Stats: 543 events, 536 starts, 723 round wins, 49 wins, 107 finals, 50 No. 1 qualifiers
2021 Season:
Gatornationals: Qual. No. 4; Beat Arthur Allen; Lost to Justin Ashley
Las Vegas1: RUNNER-UP; Qual. No. 3; Beat Troy Buff and Rob Passey, Beat Shawn Langdon and Leah Pruett; Lost to Steve Torrence
Atlanta: Qual. No. 9; Lost to Antron Brown
Charlotte1: Qual. No. 12; Beat Josh Hart, Billy Torrence, Kyle Wurtzel; Lost to Brittany Force, Josh Hart
Houston: RUNNER-UP; Qual. No. 9; Beat Brittany Force, Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon; Lost to Steve Torrence
Epping: Qual. No. 5; Beat Shawn Langdon, Lost to Mike Salinas
Norwalk: Qual. No. 11; Lost to Antron Brown
Denver: Qual. No. 4; Lost to Leah Pruett
Sonoma: Qual. No. 8; Beat Mike Salinas; Lost to Steve Torrence
Pomona1: Qual. No. 6; Lost to Clay Millican
Topeka: Qual. No. 9; Lost to Clay Millican
Brainerd: Qual. No. 9; Lost to Clay Millican
Indianapolis: Qual. No. 3; Beat Krista Baldwin; Lost to Billy Torrence
Reading: Qual. No. 9; Lost to Justin Ashley
Charlotte2: Qual. No. 12; Lost to Steve Torrence
St. Louis: Qual. No. 9; Lost to Tripp Tatum
Dallas: Qual. No. 10; Beat Antron Brown; Lost to Steve Torrence
Bristol: Qual. No. 11; Lost to Billy Torrence
Las Vegas2: Qual. No. 13; Lost to Mike Salinas
Strong Finish On Tap for Shawn Langdon and DHL Top Fuel
Shawn Langdon will be rolling in Auto Club Raceway at Pomona looking to get one more win light than he did at the season opening Gatornationals. The 2013 NHRA Top Fuel world champions opened the season eight months ago with a runner-up finish and this weekend Langdon and the DHL Kalitta Air Top Fuel team will be focusing on wrapping up the season with a victory. He will also be looking to collect his third win at the iconic event to add to his 2015 and 2013 wins on the west coast.“We have had success in Pomona in years past and we would definitely like to close out the season on a high note,” said Langdon. “We have been working really hard all season and we know we have a race car that is capable of winning. I am looking forward to getting to the track and starting to qualify on Friday.”
In addition to his two victories at the Auto Club Finals Langdon has added two runner-up finishes to his ledger in Pomona from 2017 and 2010. The veteran driver also added a No. 1 qualifier in 2012.
“I will have a lot of family and friends at the track this weekend, so we want to get out of the gate strong on Friday in qualifying,” said Langdon. “A good pass on Friday really sets you up for a good race. I feel like this DHL team can put a good number up and then build on that the rest of the weekend.”
Throughout the season Langdon has posted several quarterfinal and semifinal finishes. The DHL Kalitta Air team will be looking to get back to their early season form. Langdon and the team will also be looking to move up in the Top Ten standings at the final race. A successful day on Sunday could advance Langdon up two or three spots in the Top Ten.
2019 NHRA Auto Club Finals Highlights (event not contested in 2020): In Funny Car: Qual. No. 4; Beat Jeff Arend; Lost to Robert Hight
Last Event Recap (2021 Las Vegas Nationals): Qual. No. 12; Lost to Billy Torrence
Career Stats: 286 events, 283 starts, 310 round wins, 17 wins, 35 finals, 19 No. 1 qualifiers; in Top Fuel: 238 events, 235 starts, 15 wins, 32 finals, 271 round wins, 19 No. 1 qualifiers
2021 Season:
Gatornationals: RUNNER-UP; Qual. No. 6; Beat Doug Foley, Leah Pruett, Antron Brown; Lost to Josh Hart
Las Vegas1: Qual. No. 6; Beat Troy Buff and Rob Passey; Lost to Doug Kalitta and Steve Torrence
Atlanta: Qual. No. 11; Beat Leah Pruett, Mike Salinas; Lost to Steve Torrence
Charlotte1: Qual. No. 11; Lost to Antron Brown and Krista Baldwin
Houston: Qual. No. 7; Beat Josh Hart, Justin Ashley; Lost to Doug Kalitta
Epping: Qual. No. 8; Lost to Doug Kalitta
Norwalk: Qual. No. 16; Lost to Steve Torrence
Denver: Qual. No. 8; Lost to Clay Millican
Sonoma: Qual. No. 9; Beat Clay Millican; Lost to Antron Brown
Pomona1: Qual. No. 5; Beat Jim Maroney; Lost to Antron Brown
Topeka: Qual. No. 7; Beat Antron Brown, Billy Torrence; Lost to Clay Millican
Brainerd: Qual. No. 7; Lost to Antron Brown
Indianapolis: Qual. No. 16; Lost to Brittany Force
Reading: Qual. No. 11; Beat Mike Salinas; Lost to Billy Torrence
Charlotte2: Qual. No. 14; Lost to Clay Millican
St. Louis: Qual. No. 14; Lost to Steve Torrence
Dallas: Qual. No. 9; Lost to Clay Millican
Bristol: Qual. No. 10; Lost to Justin Ashley
Las Vegas2: Qual. No. 12; Lost to Billy Torrence
