Doug and Scott Kalitta always presented a formidable one-two punch when they raced together under the Kalitta Motorsports banner in Top Fuel. Nearly eight months after Scott’s tragic death, the cousins are still winning.

The Kalitta team has always front-halved and back-halved the dragsters to get the most out of the chassis, and the yellow 50th anniversary dragster Doug Kalitta drove in Pomona utilized the same rollcage that shielded Scott when he won the 2005 NHRA Winternationals crown.

This marked Doug's first victory in the season-opener and the third time a Kalitta had won the opening event since Connie Kalitta triumphed in 1967. This win represented his 31st and another one of life’s goals he can scratch off the list. Doug and Scott Kalitta always presented a formidable one-two punch when they raced together under the Kalitta Motorsports banner in Top Fuel. Nearly eight months after Scott’s tragic death, the cousins are still winning.

The Kalitta team has always front-halved and back-halved the dragsters to get the most out of the chassis, and the yellow 50th anniversary dragster Doug Kalitta drove in Pomona utilized the same rollcage that shielded Scott when he won the 2005 NHRA Winternationals crown.

This marked Doug's first victory in the season-opener and the third time a Kalitta had won the opening event since Connie Kalitta triumphed in 1967. This win represented his 31st and another one of life’s goals he can scratch off the list.

“I was telling [crewchief] Jim O [Oberhofer] that I really wanted to win at Pomona,” Kalitta said. “Pomona has always been one of those races I always wanted to win.”

Kalitta, who plans to run an abbreviated schedule in 2009, fired a huge salvo over the bow of the competition letting them know he intends to be a championship contender despite the limited appearances. He defeated Antron Brown for the victory.

The victory ensured the team will head to Phoenix in two weeks to compete.

“I think we’re looking good [for more races],” Kalitta admitted. “We’ll just play it by ear. I’m hoping we’re at more of them and hopefully this win will increase our chances of finding a primary sponsor.”

Kalitta’s road to the finals started from the No. 11 qualifying position and wound its way past Urs Erbacher, Cory McClenathan and Morgan Lucas

Not a bad weekend for a drag racer who opened Sunday’s eliminations by warming the race fans in the left-side grandstands from mid-track on with a massive fireball. By Tuesday afternoon memories of that mechanical failure-induced flame up were extinguished as the winning rounds provided a measure of momentum.

“I guess this means we are back,” Kalitta said, addressing the media after winning his first trophy since the 2007 national event in Richmond, Va. “Coming out here with a different crew than I’ve had in years past, says a lot. Great group of guys and they are just hungry to win.”

Essentially, Kalitta’s team is comprised largely of former members of the Hillary Will team which won the NHRA national event in Topeka, Kan., last May.

When it’s all said and done, the focus returns to Scott, and this victory represented their first since his racing death and subsequent conversion of nitro racing to 1,000 feet.

“I think of Scott when I am up there on the line on occasion,” Kalitta said. “He used to have a few traits he’d do to get himself up for the race. I’ve kind of followed that and because I do what he used to, I think about him. It motivates me to get up on the wheel and you can say he’s with me all the time.

“I’m pretty sure he’s proud that three of us have won the Winternationals now.”

Even Connie was extremely proud; he took time to pose for the winner’s circle picture. After all, it’s not every day his nephew and son can win Top Fuel at the Winternationals.