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Pre-Race Report
Event 11: Fitzgerald USA Thunder Valley Nationals
Bristol Dragway
Bristol, Tenn.
June 15-17
Event 11: Fitzgerald USA Thunder Valley Nationals
Bristol Dragway
Bristol, Tenn.
June 15-17
Bristol Highlights: Three wins (2006, 2005, 2001); Three finals (2014, 2012, 2009)
Last Event Recap (Virginia NHRA Nationals): Qualified fourth; Finalist (Defeated Dan Mercier in the first round, Leah Pritchett in the quarterfinals and Richie Crampton in the semifinals, lost to Steve Torrence in the finals)
2017 Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Recap: Qualified second; First round loss (Lost to Shawn Langdon in the first round)
Quotable: “I love going to Bristol. It is such a unique track and the fans are always so excited for us to be there. We ran strong in Richmond with this Mac Tools car, and I am looking forward to the Thunder Valley Nationals and hopefully going one step further.”
Career Stats: 468 starts; 639 round wins (ninth all-time); 44 wins (Fifth all-time in Top Fuel); 93 finals; 49 no.1 qualifiers (tied 14th all-time)
2018 Season: One Win (Pomona-I); Two finals (Pomona I, Charlotte I, Richmond); 16 round wins; third in the standings
2017 Season Recap: One win (Charlotte-II); Four finals (Pomona-I, Norwalk, Charlotte-II, St. Louis); Two no.1 qualifiers (Norwalk, Charlotte-II); 34 round wins; third in the standings
Noteworthy: Next no.1 qualifier is 50th of his career; Bristol is one of only two tracks currently on tour that Kalitta has yet score a no.1 qualifier (Richmond)
Bristol Highlights: One win (2015)
Last Event Recap (Virginia NHRA Nationals): Qualified eighth; Semifinalist (Defeated Dom Lagana in the first round and Tony Schumacher in the quarterfinals, lost to Doug Kalitta in the semifinals)
2017 Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Recap: Did not compete
Quotable: “I’m very excited for our team and the way our race car is performing. I feel like Connie, Rob and my entire team are doing a fantastic job and I am very excited because I know we are going to have a very competitive car in Bristol.”
Career Stats: 88 starts; 82 round wins; Eight wins; 10 finals; Five no.1 qualifiers
2018 Season: One win (Gainesville); Seven round wins; ninth in the standings
2017 Season Stats: Seven starts; One final (Charlotte-II); Five round wins
Bristol Highlights: Two wins (2016, 2014)
Last Event Recap (Virginia NHRA Nationals): Qualified ninth; First round loss (Lost to Jim Campbell in the first round)
2017 Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Recap: Qualified 15th; Semifinalist (Defeated Doug Kalitta in the first round and Antron Brown in the quarterfinals, lost to Leah Pritchett in the semifinals)
Quotable: “Bristol is a great track, but it can be very tricky especially if it gets hot with the elevation. Getting down the track consistently can be key. The forecast says it is going to be hot, so it should be a good race. But it is a great venue; one of my favorite tracks on tour. I really enjoy racing at Bristol, and I look forward to get back on track this weekend with my Global Electronic Technology team.”
Career Stats: 215 starts; 254 round wins; 14 wins; 30 finals; 18 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 10 starts; Seven round wins)
2018 Season: 10 starts; Seven round wins; ninth in the standings
2017 Season Stats: 20 starts; Two finals (Dallas, Pomona II); 17 round wins; seventh in the point standings
Noteworthy: Langdon will also compete in Super Comp this weekend
Last Event Recap (Virginia NHRA Nationals): Qualified fourth; Semifinalist (Defeated Bob Tasca III in the first round and Del Worsham in the quarterfinals, lost to Courtney Force in the semifinals)
2017 Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Recap: Qualified 13th; First round loss (Lost to Courtney Force in the first round)
Quotable: “I am ready to get back behind the wheel of the DHL Toyota. We are going to try to carry this momentum into a win on Father’s Day.”
Career Stats: 182 starts; 180 round wins; 13 wins; 23 finals; 9 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 34 starts; Four wins (2017: Sonoma, Indianapolis, 2018: Las Vegas-I, Houston); Five finals (2017: Charlotte-I, Sonoma, Indianapolis, 2018: Las Vegas-I, Houston); 31 round wins)
2018 Season: Two wins (Las Vegas-I, Houston); 13 round wins; fifth in the point standings
2017 Season Stats: 24 starts; Two wins (Sonoma, Indianapolis); Three finals (Charlotte-I, Sonoma, Indianapolis); 18 round wins; ninth in the point standings
