Doug Kalitta driver of the HP 8000 Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster views July 1 final eliminations at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA National Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, bittersweet for former veteran of one fourth of a mile. Last season, the NHRA championship points runner-up, Doug reached his first semifinal of 2007 in Norwalk track is only two hours away from his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but the thoughts of his father died a few days before a given load friction in the fan-favorite. Doug Kalitta, Sr. died of cancer last Tuesday at age 67.
Doug said they really wanted to win for his father. He continued that July 1 was the best day of the season and really want your father was there to see it.
Put on a great show for the packed grandstands full of fans NHRA Doug and his first round opponent Larry Dixon. Doug, the No. 14 qualifier, Dixon and taken from the other side to side across the drag strip. But Doug Mac Tools has passed the finish line, 4. 601 seconds, 322. 4 to 11 mph. 632 sec. , 317. 94 mph. Doug won another close race in the quarterfinals. It was Bob Vandergriff, Jr., who was sent home with Doug 4. 586 sec. , 325. 4 to 53 mph. 630 sec. , 317. 34 mph. Doug the best of the weekend in Norwalk was the 2nd round.
In the semifinals, Doug rolled to the starting line in the battle with the points leader Rod Fuller. As the race began, Doug hopes to be in the path of his career, 53 Top Fuel final. However, the Mac Tools machine began to tire traction before the half value of the mark and the "Big Red" dragster Fuller refused to leave to escape with the victory. 13-12's, Doug Powerade championship to a position and now only 53 points of magic in the No. 8 position points. After the first 17 races of the season, only the first eight points will be eligible to compete for the championship of the season in the new NHRA Countdown to the Championship format.
Dave Grubnic native Australia, Doug's Top Fuel team and driver of the Zantrex-3 dragster, qualified for the position eliminations in 8th place. After Grubnic and Luigi Novelli opponent struggled to keep their machines nitro fuel-glued to the running surface, Grubnic took a victory lap, but managed to achieve victory in a tire-smoking, 6. 857 sec. And 207. 82 to 10 mph. 264 sec. , 207. 82 mph.
Fuller Grubnic ran in the quarterfinals. The Australian has lost traction almost immediately after leaving the starting line. This laissez-Fuller achieve victory in the light 11. 986 sec. , 83. 4 to 85 mph. 552 sec. , 322. 73 mph.
In addition, they moved to the position Powerade Grubnic main fuel 7-6 º.
Scott Kalitta, driver of the DHL Toyota Solara Funny Car, has not qualified for the finals on Sunday, eliminations of the Funny Car category Undoubtedly, his Toyota Solara parts do not work well for part of the race.
Hillary Will, driver of the Kalitta Motorsports-managed Ken Black KB Racing LLC-owned Top Fuel, is unfortunate and the defeat in the quarterfinals.
The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA national was 11 of 23 national events in 2007 NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series.