Doug Kalitta’s Mac Tools Toyota team is one of the quickest and fastest in Top Fuel, and it seems it’s just a matter of time before this team takes its first title of the season. The 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series continues May 16-18 at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals near Chicago.
Kalitta and team have accomplished a great deal in the season’s first five races. Kalitta won the Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star Callout, he has three No. 1 qualifiers and he won the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at both Las Vegas and Charlotte. Raceday, however, has not been as kind to the 2023 NHRA Top Fuel champion. Kalitta has one final round appearance in the season’s first five races, yet he’s fourth in points.
“This Mac Tools team is running strong, and we’re hoping for a good Sunday,” Kalitta said. “We’ve been doing quite well in qualifying and the Saturday races so hopefully we were kind of the ‘win waiting to happen.’ We’re looking forward to getting back to Chicago this weekend and just look to pick up where we left off and see what we can do.”
Kalitta has three wins and three No. 1 qualifiers at Route 66 Raceway. His worst qualifying effort of the season was fourth at the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals. After qualifying fourth at the first race, he was No. 1 in Phoenix, No. 2 at Pomona, Calif., and No. 1 at both Las Vegas and Charlotte. The trick is to turn that consistent performance to consistent raceday performance.
“We’re working towards just going rounds on Sunday; that’s obviously what we need to do to start accumulating points,” Kalitta said. “We’ve been unfortunately going out a little early here last couple races, but I’m real confident in the effort we have going on and the ability to start going rounds, getting to final rounds and being in position to win.
“Top Fuel is super competitive; that’s what drives me to do what we’re doing, and obviously, the last couple of races were a little tough. It’s just an incredible team effort – that’s what really motivates me. We work as a team, and you don’t make it happen without all my guys. It’s just as much fun for me to see those guys as it is for me to win these races. We’re ready to get to Chicago, get set up, and get things kicked off; we’re ready to roll.”
This story was originally published on May 14, 2025. 
