Doug Kalitta was an accomplished racer before he came to drag racing.
Kalitta was the 1991 USAC rookie of the year in the midget series and won the 1994 championship in the sprint car category. Kalitta won 21 USAC events: 14 in midget races and 7 in sprint competitions.
1998, he walked away from it all and started in a new arena.
Kalitta joined the family business of drag racing at 300 miles per hour, filling the void left when his cousin Scott Kalitta retired from driving the family’s Top Fuel dragster.
Twenty-six years after making his driving debut at the 1998 NHRA Winternationals, where he qualified No. 5, Kalitta has reached a milestone of 600 Top Fuel starts when he attempts to qualify in Brainerd. He’s also in exclusive NHRA historical territory.
“It’s been obviously an interesting ride, and I didn’t realize nobody has made it to 600,” Kalitta admitted. “I’s been a cool ride, obviously it’s been a great opportunity for me out there running with the NHRA and competing for as long as I have. Yeah, and I still certainly enjoy driving the cars and just surrounding myself with great people and great teams.”
Kalitta, whose emotions are as even-keeled as the surface of the Brainerd dragstrip, recalls fondly the memories of race No. 1. He also recalls the jitters of making his first runs.
“We had tested a fair amount before we got to Pomona that first year, so I was ready by the time we got there,” Kalitta said. “I was probably a little nervous, come to think of it. I definitely had a great team behind me as well then. I think Ed “Ace” McCulloch was my crew chief, and so I was in good hands.”
Kalitta believes getting to drive for his uncle, Connie Kalitta, has made all the difference in his longevity. Connie’s commitment to building a winning tradition is something he feels keeps him coming back.
“It’s been interesting driving for him all these years,” Kalitta said. “He’s just excited the beginning of each of these years, as any of us are. I’ve been very fortunate to have a great group of folks working with me. I had the opportunity to work with many different crew chiefs, and I still enjoy it. As long as we continue to run up front, I’m definitely going to; that’s what drives me to keep going.”
Kalitta’s drag racing resume continues to expand, and with 55 career NHRA wins in 117 final rounds, a championship, and now 600 starts, there’s little left for Kalitta to accomplish.
Well, there is one more item Kalitta has yet to attain. He’s never won the regular season championship and attained the No. 1 seed heading into the Countdown to the Championship. With a 125-point lead in his favor, with two events left before the point reset, Kalitta appears a lock to clinch after the NHRA U.S. Nationals over the Labor Day weekend.
Kalitta’s 2023 championship run began with an exploded tire and the switch to a backup car last.
“It’s been fun to be part of Alan [Johnson] and the guys; they’re all gelling really well, and we’ve got Max Savage working with Alan this year, and that is really turning out to be a good combination with those two guys,” Kalitta said. “We’re just keeping our heads down and trying to make it happen; that’s what’s going on with us for sure. When you catch a wave like this, you hope that you can stay on it as long as you can. It’s fun to watch, and with Alan and just his knowledge of these cars and all the different variables that go into getting that thing to the start line, I’ve been able to put up the big numbers.
“I haven’t really spent a lot of time tuning the car or doing any of that, but watching what he’s doing and the changes he makes, it’s pretty cool. He’s probably one of the best crew chiefs out there, and I’m glad he’s on my car, that’s for sure. Obviously, All my guys, the car is only as good as each time they’re putting it together and the consistency of all the parts. So it’s definitely a team effort, and my guys, they’re rolling pretty good right now.”
Kalitta, who owns an air charter business and is a pilot, says drag racing still provides an escape from the business world’s day-to-day demands.
“It’s just the competition really, is what drives me to continue to do this,” Kalitta admitted. “It’s kind of in your blood once you get going, but the speed of that thing is just the raw horsepower, what that car produces, is quite a ride. So it’s definitely something to look forward to each and every time you go up there. Obviously, even in qualifying, we’re always trying to beat one another with better reaction times. It’s just the whole process; it’s just fun.”
And when his Mac Tools dragster fires on Friday afternoon, it will be just as fun, if not more, than it was 599 of the previous times.
