Pre-Race Report Event 07: NHRA Southern Nationals Atlanta Dragway Commerce, Ga.

Kalitta looks to end swing with another Atlanta win

Atlanta Highlights: Three wins (2016, 2006, 2005); Two finals (2014, 1999): Two no. 1 qualifiers (2016, 2014)

Last Event Recap (NHRA 4-Wide Nationals): Qualified sixth; Runner-Up (Defeated Antron Brown and Richie Crampton in the first round, Dom Lagana and Mike Salinas in the quarterfinals, lost to Steve Torrence in the final quad)

2017 NHRA Southern Nationals Recap: Qualified fifth; Semifinalist (Defeated Chris Karamesines in the first round and Clay Millican in the quarterfinals, lost to Tony Schumacher in the semifinals)

Quotable: “I have some great memories at Atlanta Dragway and coming off our performance in Charlotte, I am excited for this weekend. My Mac Tools machine has performed strong and the guys are working hard. I know we will have a shot at the win this weekend.”

Career Stats: 464 starts; 632 round wins (ninth all-time); 44 wins (Fifth all-time in Top Fuel); 93 finals; 49 no.1 qualifiers (tied 14th all-time)

2018 Season: One Win (Pomona-I); two finals (Pomona-I, Charlotte-I); nine round wins; third in the standings

2017 Season Recap: One win (Charlotte-II); Four finals (Pomona-I, Norwalk, Charlotte-II, St. Louis); Two no.1 qualifiers (Norwalk, Charlotte-II); 34 round wins; third in the standings

Noteworthy: Next no.1 qualifier is 50th of his career, won closest finish in NHRA Top Fuel history at Atlanta in 2016

Todd wants to score first win at Atlanta Dragway

Atlanta Highlights: One final (2016)

Last Event Recap (NHRA 4-Wide Nationals): Qualified fourth; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Bob Tasca III and Shawn Langdon in the first round, lost to John Force and Courtney Force in the quarterfinals)

2017 NHRA Southern Nationals Recap: Qualified 13th; First round loss (Lost to Ron Capps in the first round)

Quotable: “I feel like we had a car that was good enough to win last week in Charlotte. We are looking to qualify well on Friday and then hopefully we can go to work on our raceday setup.”

Career Stats: 178 starts; 176 round wins; 13 wins; 23 finals; 9 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 30 starts; Four wins (2017: Sonoma, Indianapolis, 2018: Las Vegas-I, Houston); Five finals (2017: Charlotte-I, Sonoma, Indianapolis, 2018: Las Vegas-I, Houston); 27 round wins)

2018 Season: Two wins (Las Vegas-I, Houston); Nine round wins; third in the point standings 

2017 Season Stats: 24 starts; Two wins (Sonoma, Indianapolis); Three finals (Charlotte-I, Sonoma, Indianapolis); 18 round wins; ninth in the point standings

Crampton plans for a rebound in Atlanta

Last Event Recap (NHRA 4-Wide Nationals): Qualified 14th; First round loss (Lost to Doug Kalitta and Mike Salinas in the first round)

2017 NHRA Southern Nationals Recap: Did not compete

Quotable: “After a very successful test following Charlotte, it is time to tun it around and get some more valuable round wins under our belt. Atlanta should be fun.”

Career Stats: 85 starts; 81 round wins; Eight wins; 10 finals; Five no.1 qualifiers

2018 Season: One win (Gainesville); Five round wins; ninth in the standings

2017 Season Stats: Seven starts; One final (Charlotte-II); Five round wins

Langdon desires for success in Atlanta

Atlanta Highlights: One no. 1 qualifier (2013)

Last Event Recap (NHRA 4-Wide Nationals): Qualified 12th; First round loss (Lost to J.R. Todd and Jack Beckman in the first round)

2017 NHRA Southern Nationals (Top Fuel) Recap: Qualified seventh; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Pat Dakin in the first round, lost to Steve Torrence in the quarterfinals)

Quotable: “We are just going to keep doing what we have been doing. We are consistently learning and I am beginning to feel more at home inside a Funny Car with this consistent seat time. We have had a bad string of bad luck, but that is part of the learning process. Everything is new: me driving the car and the guys working working with me. We have nothing to hang our heads about; we have a great group behind the Global Electronic Technology Camry. We know the areas to address, so I am excited to get to Atlanta and hopefully get the car back to what we had earlier this year.”

Career Stats: 211 starts; 251 round wins; 14 wins; 30 finals; 18 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: Six starts; Five round wins)

2018 Season: Six starts; Four round wins; ninth in the standings

2017 Season Stats: 20 starts; Two finals (Dallas, Pomona II); 17 round wins; seventh in the point standings