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The most recent race didn’t go the way reigning Top Fuel world champion Doug Kalitta planned, but it would be hard to deny that the current points leader still has plenty of momentum heading into this weekend’s 39th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals based on last year’s results at Maple Grove Raceway.
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Kalitta enters the opening race of the Countdown to the Championship playoffs as the defending event winner, and it was a huge victory, jumpstarting his memorable run to a first world championship and also giving the veteran his 50th career win.
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The bump in the road is Kalitta failed to qualify at the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals two weeks ago, the first time that happened for the longtime standout in 301 races and nearly 14 years. Kalitta and the team rebounded with a successful test session in Indy in his 11,000-horsepower Mac Tools/Toyota dragster, restoring Kalitta’s confidence as he looks to defend his world title, as well as his key Reading victory from a year ago.
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“I was very relieved, and I think we got the wheels back underneath this thing,” Kalitta said. “Indy’s a big race, and we just struggled to get down the track. It just wasn’t our weekend. We’re definitely looking forward to this weekend. Everyone is working really hard on this thing. Our team is really excited, and it should be fun. Reading is a great place to run, and I think our car will be happy there.”
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Last season, Kalitta (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock), and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all claimed wins in their respective categories, and this year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1 and FOX, including elimination coverage on FOX on Sunday, Sept. 12 beginning at 2 or 4:30 p.m. ET (based on local listings). It is the first of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs – and the 15th of 20 races in the 2024 campaign – and Kalitta has enjoyed a number of bright spots this year.
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He's won three races, advanced to five final rounds, and has been the points leader for the past seven races. Kalitta has also enjoyed plenty of success at Maple Grove Raceway, winning the race a pair of times. He’ll open the playoffs with a 15-point advantage over Justin Ashley in what should be an epic fight to the finish in the loaded Top Fuel ranks.
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Kalitta’s teammate, Shawn Langdon is third, while other championship contenders include four-time world champ Steve Torrence, three-time champ Antron Brown, U.S. Nationals winner Clay Millican, class rookie and racing legend Tony Stewart, Tony Schumacher, Brittany Force, Billy Torrence, Josh Hart, and Shawn Reed.

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But after winning his first world title last year, Kalitta certainly isn’t satisfied, pointing to the back-to-back world titles his cousin, Scott, won in the Top Fuel ranks in 1994 and 1995 as one source of motivation.
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“We’re certainly looking forward to it. It’s pretty exciting right now with everyone at Kalitta Motorsports,” Kalitta said. “We’re focused on going rounds. At this point, I would love to be like my cousin, Scott, and win back-to-back championships. He did it back in the day [1994-1995], so that will be our goal. It would be cool if we could pull it off, and it’s definitely the goal. I think we’ve got what we need to make it happen, and I’m looking forward to it.”

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 13, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Sept. 14 at noon and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 15. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, as well as at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, and eliminations on FOX at 2 or 4:30 p.m. ET (check local listings) on Sunday.
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To purchase tickets to the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, fans can visit . All children 12 and under are admitted free in the general-admission area with a paid adult.��
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