It took veteran Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta 25 years to win an NHRA Top Fuel championship. He accomplished that coveted goal in 2023.
Two years later, he has put himself in position to capture championship No. 2.
Kalitta helped his cause Sunday by winning the 14th annual NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis.
Kalitta clocked a 3.796-second elapsed time at 327.98 mph to defeat first-time finalist Ida Zetterström, who came across the finish line at 4.036, 247.79.
“It’s incredible! This whole Mac Tools Toyota team has this thing really running. I’m really proud of these guys; the thing is going down the track and putting up good numbers,” Kalitta said. “I’m doing my best to do my job, and it worked out. The Safety Safari did their thing as always and gave us a good track. We’re just happy to get the win here today halfway through the Countdown and take what we can get. We’ll just keep at it. I’m really happy.
“I’m really fortunate to have the team I have. Alan Johnson [crew chief] is a wizard with these cars and the tune ups. I’m really fortunate to have him, Mac [assistant crew chief Savage], everybody with Mac Tools and Toyota, Superior, SealMaster, Revchem, and everyone else who helps us with what we’re doing. It’s a team effort.”
With the win, Kalitta departed St. Louis leading the season points standings 86 ahead of Justin Ashley. There are three races left in the Countdown to the Championship: Dallas, Oct. 9-12; Las Vegas, Oct. 30-Nov. 2; and Pomona, Calif., Nov. 13-16.
“It was a big points day for the guys that we were racing. Getting by Justin [Ashley], that was a huge round. We’re definitely trying to get as many points as we can to try to stay ahead of these guys and keep doing what we’re doing.
“Just knowing the confidence I’ve got with the group that I’ve got behind me. We’re qualifying well, so really just keep doing what we’re doing. I try not to get too wrapped around the axle with just going there, do your thing, hit the tree well, and try to accumulate as many points as possible. It’s really all about winning these races. I’ve been fortunate enough to, somebody had commented, ‘I won here five times,’ so this has been a great track for us, and it’s a cool place to run.”
Kalitta also won at the track in 2001, 2003-04, 2020, and 2025. He is tied with Antron Brown for most Top Fuel wins in St. Louis. This was Kalitta’s 58th career win and third this season. He also had wins in Sonoma, Calif., and Brainerd, Minn.
On Sunday, Kalitta ousted Will Smith, Steve Torrence, Ashley and Zetterström.
“Each of the rounds today, my car was just on a rail. That’s really what it took,” Kalitta said. “Conditions were pretty slick out there, just going A to B, and this whole Mac Tools group, I’m just real proud of them. For me, it’s just a huge relief. You’re in the Countdown races trying to do your best and they’re giving you a car that’s going down the track like that, it’s real special for sure.
“It was great to see her [Zetterstrom] back out here racing. I know she likes hanging out with the media, but I think she likes driving that thing a little more, and she did a hell of a job driving that thing today, so to have a perfect reaction time [against Tony Stewart], that was incredible. That’s one thing, not too many people can say they’ve done so. But no, she does a great job in the car and hopefully they can continue to be out here the rest of the year.”
Kalitta was grateful for his win over Ashley for its impact on the points race.
“It was a big points day for the guys that we were racing. Getting by Justin, that was a huge round. We’re definitely trying to get as many points as we can to try to stay ahead of these guys and keep doing what we’re doing.
“It’s drag racing, and it’s definitely a humbling sport for sure. You have to take them one by one as seriously as you can, and each round between now and the end of the year is going to be super important for us. So fortunate today I got Alan Johnson back and all the guys that work on my car, they’re doing one heck of a job … so, hell of a team effort.”
