Pre-Race Report Event 12: NHRA Norwalk Nationals Summit Motorsports Park Norwalk, Ohio

Kalitta desires another home track victory

Norwalk Highlights: Track Elapsed Time Record Holder (3.719 – set in 2016); One win (2015); One final (2013); Three No.1 qualifiers (2016, 2015, 2013)

Last Event Recap (Bristol): Qualified second; First round loss (Lost to Shawn Langdon in the first round)

2016 Norwalk Recap: Qualified first; Semi-finalist (First round bye, Defeated Pat Dakin the quarter-finals, lost to J.R. Todd in the semi-finals)

Quotable: “As an organization, we always want to do well at Norwalk with it being so close to our home base in Ypsilanti. We had a tough finish to a good weekend in Bristol, and we are definitely looking for redemption with this Mac Tools Toyota this weekend.”

Career Stats: 445 starts, 603 round wins (ninth all-time), 42 wins (Fifth all-time in Top Fuel), 88 finals, 47 no.1 qualifiers (13th all-time)

2017 Season Stats: One final (Pomona-I); 14 round wins; fifth in the standings

Noteworthy: Kalitta has claimed the no.1 qualifier at Norwalk three of the past four seasons and was part of the third no.1 qualifier sweep with Del Worsham for Kalitta Motorsports last season.

Langdon plans to deliver second straight Norwalk win

Norwalk Highlights: Defending race winner; One win (2016); One final (2014); One No.1 qualifier (2014)

Last Event Recap (Bristol): Qualified 15th; Semi-finalist (Defeated Doug Kalitta in the first round and Antron Brown in the quarter-finals, lost to Leah Pritchett in the semi-finals)

2016 Norwalk Recap (w/ DSR): Qualified seventh; Race Winner (Defeated Troy Buff in the first round, Antron Brown in the quarter-finals, Brittany Force in the semi-finals and J.R. Todd in the finals)

Quotable: “Definitely excited to get to Norwalk. Last week, the team had a great car with J.R. driving and that’s the car I am in now. Connie and Rob have a great tune for the hot weather track, so hopefully we can build on the momentum we gained in Bristol and get this Global Electronic Technology team into the top ten.”

Career Stats: 195 starts, 236 round wins, 14 wins, 28 finals, 18 no.1 qualifiers

2017 Season Stats: Seven starts; Six round wins; 11th in the point standings

Noteworthy: Joined Kalitta Motorsports from Don Schumacher Racing after Las Vegas in a full-time third Top Fuel entry; Looking to claim second consecutive Norwalk trophy; Only driver other than teammate Doug Kalitta to win a no.1 qualifier at Norwalk since 2012

Coughlin Jr. looks to shine at sponsor’s home race

Noteworthy: 12th career pro event; 2013 Norwalk divisional Super Gas event winner; a candidate for Auto Club Road to Future trophy (best rookie driver); father is former two-time Pro Mod champion (Troy Coughlin Sr.); uncle is former six-time NHRA champion (Jeg Coughlin Jr.); part of Coughlin family with 113 career wins

Last Event Recap (Bristol): Qualified 14th; First round loss (Lost to Leah Pritchett in the first round)

Quotable: “Making progress. The SealMaster Toyota team saw improvement in Bristol, even if the numbers do not really show. It is the home race for SealMaster, so I am excited to have all of them there. They are great people and I am proud to represent a great company. Hopefully, we will give them four win lights on Sunday.”

2017 Season Stats: 11 starts; Four round wins; eighth in the point standings

Career Info: Five national event wins (Three in Super Gas, Two in Super Comp); 2013 Division III Super Gas Champion; 2015 NHRA Pro Mod Rookie of the Year

Last season’s Top Fuel finalist, Todd, looks for redemption in the Funny Car 

Norwalk Highlights: One final (2016)

Last Event Recap (Bristol): Qualified 13th; First round loss (Lost to Courtney Force in the first round)

2016 Norwalk Recap (Top Fuel): Qualified fifth; Finalist (Defeated Terry McMillen in the first round, Leah Pritchett in the quarter-finals and Doug Kalitta in the semi-finals, lost to Shawn Langdon in the final.”

Quotable: “It is always good to be going back to a track that you have success at. Hopefully he get a handle on the DHL Toyota Camry. We have been testing some things the last couple races that showed some promise. It will be another hot racetrack, so it evens out the field. It will be a good opportunity to go some rounds and make up some points.” 

Career Stats: 163 starts, 159 round wins, 9 wins, 19 finals, 9 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 11 starts, One final (Charlotte); Six round wins)

2017 Season Stats: 11 starts; One final (Charlotte-I); six round wins; ninth in the point standings

Noteworthy: Attempting to become the 16th driver in NHRA history with a Top Fuel and Funny Car win; DHL celebrating 10th season of NHRA sponsorship

 

DeJoria Norwalk pre-race notes

Last Event Recap (Bristol): Qualified seventh; First round loss (Lost to Ron Capps in the first round)

2016 Norwalk Recap: Qualified 12th; Quarter-final finish (Defeated Jack Beckman in the first round, lost to Courtney Force in the quarter-finals)

Career Stats: 123 starts; 85 round wins; Four wins; Seven finals, Four no.1 qualifiers

2017 Season Stats: Eight starts; Three round wins; 14th in the point standings