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Pre-Race Report
Event 17: NHRA Brainerd Nationals
Brainerd International Raceway
Brainerd, Minn.
August 17-19
Event 17: NHRA Brainerd Nationals
Brainerd International Raceway
Brainerd, Minn.
August 17-19
Brainerd Highlights: One win (2005, 2003); Two finals (2014, 2000); Three no.1 qualifiers (2010, 2004, 2002)
Last Event Recap (NHRA Northwest Nationals): Qualified second; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Bill Litton in the first round, lost to Mike Salinas in the quarterfinals)
2017 NHRA Brainerd Nationals Recap: Qualified third; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Terry Haddock in the first round, lost to Steve Torrence in the quarterfinals)
Quotable: “I am excited to get back on track with the Mac Tools team this weekend in Brainerd. The fans are always awesome and we are looking forward to a great race weekend.”
Career Stats: 474 starts; 647 round wins (ninth all-time); 44 wins (Fifth all-time in Top Fuel); 94 finals; 49 no.1 qualifiers (tied 14th all-time)
2018 Season: One Win (Pomona-I); Four finals (Pomona I, Charlotte I, Richmond, Denver); 24 round wins; fifth in the standings
Noteworthy: Kalitta would hit 650 career round wins with a final round appearance
Brainerd Highlights: One win (2015); One no. 1 qualifier (2015)
Last Event Recap (NHRA Northwest Nationals): Qualified ninth; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Brittany Force in the first round, lost to Steve Torrence in the quarterfinals)
2017 NHRA Brainerd Nationals Recap: Did not compete
Quotable: “It is a big race for the DHL/Kalitta Air team. Points are becoming more and more important so it is time to hammer down and secure our spot deeper within the top 10. I have won at Brainerd before, and I love that track, so I cannot wait strap in for Q1 and get the weekend started.”
Career Stats: 94 starts; 86 round wins; Eight wins; 10 finals; Five no.1 qualifiers
2018 Season: One win (Gainesville); 11 round wins; ninth in the standings
Last Event Recap (NHRA Northwest Nationals): Qualified sixth; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Jack Beckman in the first round, lost to Courtney Force in the quarterfinals)
2017 NHRA Brainerd Nationals Recap: Qualified 10th; First round loss (Lost to Antron Brown in the first round)
Quotable: “We felt leaving Seattle that the Global Electronic Technology Camry was trending in the right direction. The team has been doing a great job getting the car ready for the Countdown. We have lost two close races at the last two events, and those will start going out way. We have a car capable of winning races and the team is confident. The point of focus is to go to Brainerd and get the win which will solidify our spot in the Countdown.”
Career Stats: 221 starts; 258 round wins; 14 wins; 30 finals; 18 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 16 starts; 11 round wins)
2018 Season: 16 starts; 11 round wins; ninth in the standings
Last Event Recap (NHRA Northwest Nationals): Qualified 13th; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Bob Tasca III in the first round, lost to Tim Wilkerson in the quarterfinals)
2017 NHRA Brainerd Nationals Recap: Qualified ninth; First round loss (Lost to Ron Capps in the first round)
Quotable: “I am ready to get back in the seat this weekend. The performance of our DHL/WIX Filters Toyota seems to be coming back and it would be awesome to win in from front the great Brainerd fans.”
Career Stats: 188 starts; 185 round wins; 13 wins; 23 finals; 9 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 40 starts; Four wins (2017: Sonoma, Indianapolis, 2018: Las Vegas-I, Houston); Five finals (2017: Charlotte-I, Sonoma, Indianapolis, 2018: Las Vegas-I, Houston); 36 round wins)
2018 Season: Two wins (Las Vegas-I, Houston); 18 round wins; sixth in the point standings
All photos are courtesy of Gary Nastase Photography.
