Pre-Race Report
Event 12: NHRA Norwalk Nationals
Summit Motorsports Park
Norwalk, Ohio
June 22-24
Event 12: NHRA Norwalk Nationals
Summit Motorsports Park
Norwalk, Ohio
June 22-24
This weekend, Team Kalitta will celebrate the life of Scott Kalitta and honor his legacy, ten years after the memorial service that was held at this track.
Norwalk Highlights: One win (2015); Two finals (2017, 2013); Four no.1 qualifiers (2017, 2016, 2015, 2013)
Last Event Recap (NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals): Qualified 12th; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Brittany Force in the first round, lost to Scott Palmer in the quarterfinals)
2017 NHRA Norwalk Nationals Recap: Qualified first; Finalist (Defeated Troy Buff in the first round, Tony Schumacher in the quarterfinals and Leah Pritchett in the semifinals, lost to Steve Torrence in the finals)
Quotable: “Kalitta Motorsports always likes going to Norwalk, our home track. It is close to the headquarters and so many of our staff that does not normally get to come out gets to be there for this and we always love to win in front of them. It is also Mac Tools’ home race so we like to do well there for them as well. We are excited to get to Norwalk and see what we can do.”
Career Stats: 469 starts; 640 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); Three finals (Pomona I, Charlotte I, Richmond); 17 round wins; fourth 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; Kalitta has won the last three no.1 qualifiers at Norwalk and four of the last five
Last Event Recap (NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals): Qualified 14th; First round loss (Lost to Antron Brown in the first round)
2017 NHRA Norwalk Nationals Recap: Did not compete
Quotable: “It is a big weekend on the new track surface. This Norwalk race is always a packed house with great fans. I feel like we are on the way to having this hot race track setup dialed in. My team are doing a great job as always, and our hard work will pay off.”
Career Stats: 89 starts; 82 round wins; Eight wins; 10 finals; Five no.1 qualifiers
2018 Season: One win (Gainesville); Seven round wins; 11th in the standings
2017 Season Stats: Seven starts; One final (Charlotte-II); Five round wins
Norwalk Highlights: One win (2016); One final (2014); One no.1 qualifier (2014)
Last Event Recap (NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals): Qualified 10th; First round loss (Lost to Jack Beckman in the first round)
2017 NHRA Norwalk Nationals Recap: Qualified 10th; First round loss (Lost to Terry McMillen in the first round)
Quotable: “Norwalk is a good track with a new surface which we are excited to try. The weather should yield quicker times, which is exciting as well. I have had some success there in the past, and I look forward to try to continue that success in a Funny Car.”
Career Stats: 216 starts; 254 round wins; 14 wins; 30 finals; 18 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 11 starts; Seven round wins)
2018 Season: 11 starts; Seven round wins; 11th in the standings
2017 Season Stats: 20 starts; Two finals (Dallas, Pomona II); 17 round wins; seventh in the point standings
Norwalk Highlights: One final (2016)
Last Event Recap (NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals): Qualified second; Semifinalist (Defeated Del Worsham in the first round and Jack Beckman in the quarterfinals, lost to Ron Capps in the semifinals)
2017 NHRA Norwalk Nationals Recap: Qualified 12th; First round loss (Lost to Tommy Johnson Jr. in the first round)
Quotable: “I am ready to get to Norwalk and work on staying consistent. We need to keep going to the late rounds and pick up as many points as possible. We are also looking forward to celebrating Scott with everybody this weekend.”
Career Stats: 183 starts; 182 round wins; 13 wins; 23 finals; 9 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 35 starts; Four wins (2017: Sonoma, Indianapolis, 2018: Las Vegas-I, Houston); Five finals (2017: Charlotte-I, Sonoma, Indianapolis, 2018: Las Vegas-I, Houston); 33 round wins)
2018 Season: Two wins (Las Vegas-I, Houston); 15 round wins; fourth 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
