Doug Kalitta started the second half of the NHRA season much like the first half went for Kalitta Motorsports, defeating Jasmine Salinas in the Top Fuel final round and taking home his second consecutive NHRA Sonoma Nationals Wally.
Kalitta’s Aflac dragster was strong from start to finish in the finals; the reigning Top Fuel champion won the race with a 3.731-second pass at 339.96 mph. It was Kalitta’s second win of the season, his seventh at Sonoma Raceway – more than any other Top Fuel driver – and the 61st of his career.
“Sonoma has been a special place for us; we had a little dry spell through the years, but I’m glad that we managed to get the last two wins here,” said Kalitta. “Hats off to my team; the Aflac car was running strong all day, and we had all the Aflac guys on the starting line. We smoked ‘em (the tires) in the semifinals against Antron, but hats off to Alan, Mac (Crew Chiefs Alan Johnson and Mac Savage), all my guys and everybody that supports us – Mac Tools, Gerber, SealMaster, Revchem and PJH. We’ll take this (trophy) home to Connie (Team Owner Connie Kalitta) – I’m sure he’ll be happy.”
Kalitta defeated Clay Millican in the first round and had a second-round bye. In the semifinals against Antron Brown, the Aflac dragster smoked the tires during the run, but Brown did the same. Despite engine issues, Kalitta stayed in the throttle, won the round and advanced to the final round against Salinas.
“What can I say about Alan Johnson? This is his hometown track; he was hungry for this win just like I was,” Kalitta said. “Whatever it takes – Alan is the man when it comes to tuning this car. I’m just very fortunate to have this opportunity. It’s been fun, and this win is a good way to finish the day.
Kalitta was also the No. 1 qualifier. During the opening qualifying session on Friday, Kalitta needed just 3.714 seconds to reach the finish line at 337.04 mph. His teammate, Shawn Langdon, posted an identical elapsed time, but Kalitta’s faster speed gave him the No. 1 qualifier. It was Kalitta’s third No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 69th of his career.
Thirty years ago, Blaine Johnson, Kalitta Crew Chief Alan Johnson’s late brother, won the NHRA Sonoma Nationals; it would be his final win. He was killed in a 1996 racing accident in Indianapolis a short time after Sonoma. After Sunday’s winner’s circle pictures and post-race media interviews, Kalitta presented the Sonoma Nationals trophy to Johnson, in Blaine’s memory.
“It’s been 30 years since, unfortunately, we lost Blaine Johnson, and I’m going to have the honor of giving this trophy to Alan this evening,” said Kalitta. “It’s very deserving with everything he’s put into this sport. Blaine was a hell of a driver, so this is going to be an honor.”
Kalitta leaves Sonoma in second place in the NHRA Top Fuel point standings. He trails teammate Shawn Langdon by 85 points and leads third-place Leah Pruett by 181 points.
This story was originally published on July 20, 2026. 
