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TOPEKA, Kan. --
Coming off his latest victory, which included a landmark achievement at the most recent event in Houston, Kalitta hopes this one builds to something even bigger during the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. That would certainly include more victories and Kalitta's next chance for that in his 10,000-horsepower Mac Tools dragster comes May 20-22 at the 28th annual NHRA Kansas Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka. The Houston victory was noteworthy in that it gave Kalitta 39 career Top Fuel victories, tying him with the legendary Kenny Bernstein and two-time and defending world champion Antron Brown for fourth all-time in class history. Kalitta, who moved to second in Top Fuel points with the victory, celebrated that moment, while also noting the ultimate goal his team is chasing this season. "It is always great to get that first win of the season," said Kalitta, who is seeking his first world championship. "It makes you just want the next one even more. The Mac Tools team is not complacent. We have one goal this year, a title. To earn the title, one win is not enough. Our plan is to utilize what we learned and continue to grow and be prepared to make a run in the (Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship)." Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) were last year's winners at the multipurpose motorsports facility in the Kansas capital city. The race will be televised on FOX Sports 1, including live finals on Sunday. It is the eighth of 24 races during the 2016 campaign, marking the completion of the first third of the year.
But winning in Top Fuel is no easy feat and Kalitta was impressive in Houston, also commenting on what it meant to match Bernstein and Brown for career Top Fuel victories. "Kenny is somebody when I first started hanging around drag racing, he was the guy to watch," Kalitta said. "He's been one of my heroes for sure, so it's a great accomplishment for me to be able to tie him. And the same goes for Antron. He's one of the best in our field and obviously the defending champ. I'm just real proud to tie them." Kalitta has been as consistent as they come in a Top Fuel career that has spanned more than 400 races. He has finished in the top 10 every year since he started his Top Fuel career in 1998, but Kalitta is more than happy to share the credit. After winning in Houston, which also gave him a berth in the Traxxas Nitro Shootout, Kalitta talked about the job crew chief Jim Oberhofer has done. He noted the team has been improving and building to a win from the outset. He has been impressed with how every car in the Kalitta Motorsports camp (J.R. Todd in Top Fuel, defending world champion Del Worsham and Alexis DeJoria in Funny Car) has performed.
Getting a second win at the Kansas Nationals won't come easy for Kalitta, who must knock off an impressive lineup in Topeka. Richie Crampton is the defending winner, while other standouts include Brown and eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, Houston finalist Steve Torrence, series leader Force, Clay Millican, Todd and Terry McMillen. But Kalitta has great confidence in his team, noting an incredible atmosphere, culture and environment that has been evident for years within the Kalitta Motorsports team.
In Funny Car, fans witnessed what was at the time a record 15 three-second runs in the class last year. Race winner Beckman made five of those three-second runs, including a 3.984 second sprint in the finals to defeat 16-time world champion John Force. Beckman is after his first win of 2016, while others to watch include two-time season winner Tim Wilkerson, who is tied with Houston winner Courtney Force for the points lead, reigning world champion Worsham, Gatornationals winner Robert Hight, three-time Topeka winner Ron Capps, four-time Topeka winner Cruz Pedregon, Chad Head, Las Vegas winner DeJoria and two-time world champ Matt Hagan. In Pro Stock, Enders claimed her third victory of the 2015 season by racing past Greg Anderson one year ago. The two-time defending world champ will be looking for her second win in Topeka and first of 2016, as Greg Anderson and Jason Line have dominated the new era of Pro Stock, which features cars with fuel-injected engines, shorter wheelie bars, flat hoods and a 10,500 RPM rev-limiter. Points leader Line and Anderson both have three wins this season. Others to watch in the 200 mph factory hot rod category include Bo Butner, Chris McGaha, 2014 top rookie Drew Skillman, 2012 world champ Allen Johnson, five-time world champion Jeg Coughlin, Vincent Nobile, Shane Gray and Gas Monkey Garage Chevy Camaro driver Alex Laughlin.
The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 7 p.m. on Friday, May 20 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, May 21, at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 22. To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (800) 884-NHRA (6472) or visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com. Before heading to Topeka, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will make a stop at Atlanta Dragway in Georgia for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, May 13-15. Keep up with all the NHRA action on FOX Sports 1.
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