Doug Kalitta Enters Second Playoff Race in Very Similar Position to 2023
Entering the second playoff race, the similarities to 2023 are somewhat striking, and it might appear Doug Kalitta has the other drivers right where he wants them just one playoff race into the defense of his 2023 NHRA Top Fuel title. The 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship NHRA Playoffs resume Sept. 20-22, 2024 at the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals in Concord, N.C., the second of six playoff races.
One year ago, Kalitta entered the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals in third place in points, with 10 top-four qualifying efforts to his credit and trailing the points leader by 26 points. This week, Kalitta enters the same event in fourth place in points, with 10 top-four qualifying efforts to his credit and trailing the points leader by 33 points.
Including last year’s win at the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals, Kalitta has two wins in seven final-round appearances at zMAX Dragway. Returning to a track where the Mac Tools team experienced recent success, winning last year and reaching the final round at the four-wide race in April, could come at a perfect time for Kalitta after three races at which the team did not meet its expectations.
“It’s just one of those deals lately; for whatever reason, we haven’t been going rounds,” Kalitta said. “I have an incredible team behind me so we just have to dust it off and make sure we double check everything. Each time you go to the starting line is a new opportunity. We want to stay towards the front. Qualifying is huge, and we’ve been qualifying up towards the front so it can give you a little better opportunity to let things settle in on race day. We’ll make sure we’re ready this weekend in Charlotte. I’m real proud of this effort.”
This weekend’s race is the second of six making up the NHRA Playoffs and the second of three races in three weeks. It’s a lot to start the playoffs, but success in these three weekends can go a long way in positioning a team to contend for a championship. Kalitta is not only fourth in points, but he has three race wins in six final rounds this season – this Mac Tools Toyota team clearly knows how to win rounds and races.
“For me, I just try to keep doing the same thing and hope that you can have everything come together,” Kalitta added. “Charlotte’s a great track; I think the conditions will be a little cooler than Reading, and we’ll be ready.”
This story was originally published on September 18, 2024.
The post Doug Kalitta Enters Second Playoff Race in Very Similar Position to 2023 first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
