{"id":23555,"date":"2019-02-19T19:05:04","date_gmt":"2019-02-20T01:05:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=23555"},"modified":"2019-02-19T19:29:31","modified_gmt":"2019-02-20T01:29:31","slug":"top-fuel-veteran-doug-kalitta-looks-to-keep-early-momentum-at-magic-dry-organic-absorbent-nhra-arizona-nationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2019\/02\/19\/top-fuel-veteran-doug-kalitta-looks-to-keep-early-momentum-at-magic-dry-organic-absorbent-nhra-arizona-nationals\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Fuel veteran Doug Kalitta looks to keep early momentum at Magic Dry Organic Absorbent NHRA Arizona Nationals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of the NHRA<\/em><\/p>\n

CHANDLER, Ariz. \u2013 Doug Kalitta<\/strong><\/a> matched last year\u2019s quick start by winning the first race of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series<\/a> season for a second straight year, this one coming with a final-round win against defending Top Fuel world champ Steve Torrence. But unlike what transpired last year when the opening-season win at Pomona marked Kalitta\u2019s only win of 2018, the Top Fuel veteran hopes this early triumph translates into plenty of long-term success.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Doug Kalitta. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Kalitta will get that chance at this weekend\u2019s 35th annual Magic Dry Organic Absorbent NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, where the 45-time event winner hopes to build on his Pomona victory in his 10,000-horsepower Mac Tools dragster. A strong off-season has Kalitta excited for 2019, something that was already evident in Pomona and could continue this weekend in Phoenix, where Kalitta looked impressive during preseason testing earlier this month.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur guys have been very meticulous during the off-season,\u201d Kalitta said. \u201cEveryone has been very positive and have been working together really well. Everyone on the team wants to win and we were really hungry for (Pomona). It was definitely great to be back behind the wheel in testing (in Phoenix). I\u2019m looking for big things this year for our Mac Tools team. The guys have worked hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Torrence (Top Fuel), Courtney Force (Funny Car) and Chris McGaha (Pro Stock) were last year\u2019s winners of a race that will once again be televised nationally on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), including live finals coverage starting at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 24. It is the second of 24 races during the 2019 NHRA season and Kalitta, who finished eighth in points a year ago, wants to build on the Pomona success as the longtime standout continues to seek his first career world championship.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Doug Kalitta. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Kalitta reached five final rounds a year ago, but only had the ultimate success at the opener in Pomona, a trend he hopes to change in 2019. After posting holeshot victories over the final three rounds this year, Kalitta, who has always been highly-regarded for his driving skills, appears to be in top form. It included handing Steve Torrence his first loss since last September, snapping his 27-round win streak, which should also build the confidence of the Kalitta Motorsports team.<\/p>\n

\u201cSteve and that group, they\u2019re bad to the bone,\u201d Kalitta said. \u201cWe were real fortunate to get by them. Hopefully we\u2019ll keep at it. My guys are working hard on this thing. We\u2019re real hungry. We\u2019ve got (crew chiefs) Rob (Flynn) and Troy (Fasching), and they\u2019re just doing an awesome job. I\u2019m real proud of them. It was really nice just to go rounds. In the Countdown to end last year, all we were getting is one or two rounds, so to start going rounds today really helped the team\u2019s morale.\u201d<\/p>\n

To keep those positive vibes going in Phoenix, Kalitta will again have to contend with the likes of Torrence, who is the defending event winner, three-time world champ Antron Brown, Clay Millican, Leah Pritchett, Terry McMillen and 2017 world champ Brittany Force. But coming off of teammate J.R. Todd\u2019s championship run in Funny Car a year ago, Kalitta, who has one career win in Phoenix, feels like the entire organization is in a good place to open the 2019 campaign.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously anytime you win a championship with any of your teams, it\u2019s an incredible end of the year and there was a lot of camaraderie and everybody pulling together,\u201d Kalitta said. \u201cEverything has been real positive and everyone has been working together well. I\u2019m real proud of the guys and everyone is working well together.\u201d<\/p>\n

In Funny Car, 2017 world champ Robert Hight got off to a hot start with his victory at Pomona and he\u2019ll look to keep that momentum going against defending world champ Todd, Tommy Johnson Jr., Ron Capps, John Force, Jack Beckman and Shawn Langdon.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock\u2019s Chris McGaha earned his first Phoenix win a year ago, knocking off Jason Line in the final round. McGaha will look to continue that success against Pomona winner Bo Butner, two-time world champ Erica Enders, Alex Laughlin, Greg Anderson and Jeg Coughlin Jr.<\/p>\n

The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where future stars of the sport hone their skills.<\/p>\n

Those in attendance will also have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with some of the biggest names in drag racing during the NHRA Legends Tour. This includes meet-and-greets, autograph sessions, and a variety of other activities.<\/p>\n

As always, fans can interact with their favorite drivers as they\u2019re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.<\/p>\n

Fans also will want to visit NHRA\u2019s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.<\/p>\n

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Feb. 23, also at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24.<\/p>\n

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (800) 884-NHRA (6472) or visit www.NHRA.com\/tickets<\/a>. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. To honor the Salute to First Responders, military and first responders can save 20 percent on general admission tickets at the gate. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

MAGIC DRY ORGANIC ABSORBENT NHRA NATIONALS<\/span><\/u><\/h3>\n

WHAT:<\/strong> 35th annual Magic Dry Organic Absorbent NHRA Nationals, the second of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in three categories \u2013 Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock \u2013 earn points leading to 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.<\/p>\n

WHERE:<\/strong> Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, Chandler, Ariz. Track is located off Interstate 10 at exit 162. Follow the signs.<\/p>\n

WHEN:<\/strong> Friday through Sunday, Feb. 22-24.<\/p>\n

SCHEDULE:<\/strong> 
\nFRIDAY, Feb. 22 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying at 8 a.m. 
\nMELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

SATURDAY, Feb. 23- LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations at 8 a.m.
\nMELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

SUNDAY, Feb. 24 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. 
\nMELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.<\/p>\n

TELEVISION:<\/strong> 
\nFriday, Feb. 22, FOX Sports 1 (FS1), will televise one hour of qualifying at 11 p.m. (ET).
\nSaturday, Feb. 23, FOX Sports 1 (FS1), will televise one hour of qualifying live at 7 p.m.  (ET). 
\nSunday, Feb. 24, FOX Sports 1 (FS1) will televise three hours of finals coverage at 6 p.m. (ET).<\/p>\n

2018 EVENT WINNERS:<\/strong>   
\nSteve Torrence, Top Fuel; Courtney Force, Funny Car; Chris McGaha, Pro Stock<\/p>\n

MOST VICTORIES:<\/strong>       
\nJohn Force, FC- 8; Bob Glidden, PS- 5; Tony Schumacher, TF- 5; Jack Beckman, FC- 3; Kenny Bernstein, TF-FC- 3; Antron Brown, TF-3; Ron Capps, FC-3; Larry Dixon, TF- 3; Cory McClenathan, TF- 3; Darrell Alderman, PS- 3; Kurt Johnson, PS- 3; Warren Johnson, PS- 3.<\/p>\n

TRACK RECORDS:<\/strong>        
\nTop Fuel – 3.649 seconds by Tony Schumacher Feb. ’18; 336.57 mph by Schumacher, Feb. ’18.
\nFunny Car – 3.826 seconds by Courtney Force, Feb. ’18; 337.16 mph by C. Force, Feb. ’18.
\nPro Stock – 6.498 seconds by Mike Edwards, Feb. ’13; 213.77 mph by Mike Edwards, Feb. ’13.<\/p>\n

NATIONAL RECORDS:<\/strong>           
\nTop Fuel – 3.628 sec. by Clay Millican, Feb. ’18, Pomona, Calif.; 336.57 mph by Tony Schumacher, Feb. \u201818, Phoenix
\nFunny Car – 3.793 sec. by Robert Hight, Aug. ’17, Brainerd; 339.87 mph by Robert Hight, July \u201917, Sonoma, Calif.
\nPro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.;  215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May \u201814, Englishtown N.J.
\n 
\nTICKETS:<\/strong> 
\nFor tickets call (800) 884-NHRA (6472). Tickets also available online at www.NHRA.com\/tickets<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of the NHRA CHANDLER, Ariz. \u2013 Doug Kalitta matched last year\u2019s quick start by winning the first race of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season for a second straight year, this one coming with a final-round win against defending Top Fuel world champ Steve Torrence. But unlike what transpired last year when […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":23278,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4],"tags":[138,6,378],"class_list":["post-23555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhra","tag-doug-kalitta","tag-nhra","tag-nhra-arizona-nationals"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/015-DougKalitta-Monday-Pomona1-e1549939220963.jpg?fit=640%2C427","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-67V","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23555","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23555"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23555\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23565,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23555\/revisions\/23565"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23278"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23555"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23555"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}