NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Through the first half of the 2016 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, Doug Kalitta has put together a performance that can lead to a world championship.

 

That’s a satisfying notion for the longtime Top Fuel standout, as Kalitta, who is fourth all-time in Top Fuel wins with 41, is still chasing his first career world championship title. He has been fantastic through 12 races in 2016, winning three straight races at one point and putting together one consistent run after another in his 10,000-horsepower Mac Tools dragster.

 

It’s kept him in the points lead for the past six races and Kalitta looks to extend that streak and open up the second half of the season on a strong note at this weekend’s K&N Filters Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.

 

“The Mac Tools/Red Line Oil Toyota team is focused,” Kalitta said. “My guys have worked very hard and are continuing to run strong with no mistakes. (Crew chief) Jim O (Oberhofer) has a great handle on the tune-up.

 

“I do not think you can ever be sure you are 100 percent where you want to be, because the competition is so tough. I am proud that we have the points lead and want to hold that through the start of the Countdown for the Championship because of the 30 point advantage you receive, but the Mac Tools team continuously is striving for more and not resting on just what we know.”

 

Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Tommy Johnson Jr. (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will for the first time be televised nationally on FOX Sports 1. The fan-favorite event at the state-of-the-art motorsports facility located just south of downtown Chicago, will mark the official start of the second half and just five events follow it before the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs begins.

 

Kalitta and his talented team aren’t resting on a successful start to the 2016 campaign that included a string of victories in Houston, Atlanta and Topeka. He didn’t win during the recent four-race Eastern Swing stretch, but Kalitta continues to be a model of consistency, advancing to the semifinals at three of the past four races and qualifying first at the most recent race in Norwalk.

 

Coupled with the success of Top Fuel teammate J.R. Todd, a finalist in Norwalk, as well as Kalitta Motorsports Funny Car drivers Alexis DeJoria, who won in Las Vegas, and reigning world champion Del Worsham, and Kalitta is pleased with where the entire organization is headed as the most important part of the season is approaching.

 

“We are really happy with our performance this season at Kalitta Motorsports,” Kalitta said. “To put both Funny Cars in the final in Vegas and then the race J.R. and I had in Atlanta were great days for our team. We continue to work hard collectively, and I think it shows on track with what we have been able to accomplish.”

 

The team also continues to push hard off the track, staying on an innovative track in the highly-competitive nitro classes. Kalitta is running the new Bounty Hunter chassis, something that has responded extremely well to his dragster.

 

“First off, it is awesome that this chassis is the first one to come out of our shop,” Kalitta said. “The guys in the Bounty Hunter Chassis shop really have put together a nice piece. Then Jim O and Troy (Fasching, assistant crew chief) have a great handle on the tune-up regardless of the weather conditions. Everyone on the Mac Tools team has worked very hard and are focused on the end prize.”

 

Kalitta appears locked in headed to the Countdown to the Championship and hopes to add to his three Top Fuel victories at Route 66 Raceway. But standing in his way is a host of stars, including defending event winner and eight-time world champion Schumacher, who has yet to win in 2016. Others to watch include two-time 2016 winner Brittany Force, Steve Torrence, who also has two wins this year, Richie Crampton, defending world champion Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon, who has posted back-to-back victories, Terry McMillen and Clay Millican.

 

But racing at Route 66 Raceway provides another opportunity to race close to home, following the most recent event in Norwalk, giving Kalitta another chance to perform in front of family and friends.

 

“Chicago is a great facility,” Kalitta said. “I have had a lot of success there and so has Kalitta Motorsports as a whole. It is nice to get these two events so close to our home. It allows a lot of family and friends to spend some time at the track which is always good.”

 

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 5:15 and 7:45 p.m. on Friday, July 8, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, July 9, at 3:15 and 6 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 10.

 

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 888-629-RACE (7223) or 815-722-5500. Tickets also are available online at www.route66raceway.com. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult.