Pre-Race Report Event 15: Toyota Sonoma Nationals Sonoma Raceway Sonoma, Calif.

All-time Sonoma Top Fuel winner, Kalitta, looks to add to his tally

Sonoma Highlights: Five wins (2005, 2004, 2000, 1999, 1998); One final (2002); Four No.1 qualifiers (2012, 2004, 2003, 1998)

Last Event Recap (Denver): Qualified second; Quarterfinal finish (Defeated Greg Carrillo in the first round, lost to Antron Brown in the quarterfinals)

2016 Sonoma Recap: Qualified third; Semifinalist (Defeated Bill Litton in the first round and Brittany Force in the quarterfinals, lost to J.R. Todd in the semifinals)

Quotable: “Historically, Sonoma has been a great place for me. I scored my first win there, but it has been a while since we have celebrated a victory at this awesome track. I would love to get this Mac Tools Toyota in the winner’s circle at Toyota’s event this weekend.”

Career Stats: 448 starts, 607 round wins (ninth all-time), 42 wins (Fifth all-time in Top Fuel), 89 finals, 47 no.1 qualifiers (13th all-time)

2017 Season Stats: Two finals (Pomona-I, Norwalk); One no.1 qualifier (Norwalk); 18 round wins; fifth in the standings

Noteworthy: Kalitta is the all-time Top Fuel win leader at Sonoma Raceway with five wins; Kalitta scored his first no.1 qualifier and first win at Sonoma in 1998

Langdon plans on continuing to close the gap on the top ten in Sonoma

Sonoma Highlights: One win (2013); One Final (2014)

Last Event Recap (Denver): Qualified fifth; First round loss (Lost to Terry Haddock in the first round)

2016 Sonoma Recap (w/ DSR): Qualified fourth; First round loss (Lost to Scott Palmer in the first round)

Quotable: “I am excited to get to Sonoma. It is one of my favorite tracks; it is a great place to race with great air that allows you to make a lot of power. Coming into this race, we are 50 points out of tenth with the Global Electronic Technology team and I think Sonoma could be the turning point.” 

Career Stats: 195 starts, 237 round wins, 14 wins, 28 finals, 18 no.1 qualifiers

2017 Season Stats: 10 starts; Seven 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

Coughlin Jr. looks for improvement in Sonoma

Noteworthy: 15th career pro event; 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 (Denver): Qualified 16th; First round loss (Lost to Leah Pritchett in the first round)

Quotable: “The SealMaster Toyota team is learning a lot a a rapid pace and we cannot wait for the Toyota Sonoma Nationals. Optimism and confidence is on the rise for the whole group.” 

2017 Season Stats: 14 starts; Four round wins; 10th 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

Defending Top Fuel event champion, Todd, looks to score Funny Car triumph

Sonoma Highlights: Two wins (2016, 2006); One No. 1 qualifier (2009)

Last Event Recap (Denver): Qualified eighth; Quarterfinal finish (Defeated Tim Wilkerson in the first round, lost to Jim Campbell in the quarterfinals)

2016 Sonoma Recap (Top Fuel): Qualified seventh; Race Winner (Defeated Clay Millican in the first round, Antron Brown in the quarterfinals, Doug Kalitta in the semifinals and Richie Crampton in the final)

Quotable: “Sonoma is one of my favorite tracks and it’s always nice to be heading back to sea level after coming off the mountain in Denver. Our DHL Toyota showed really good promise so I’m anxious to get back in the seat on Friday.” 

Career Stats: 162 starts, 157 round wins, 9 wins, 19 finals, 9 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 13 starts, One final (Charlotte); Eight round wins)

2017 Season Stats: 14 starts; One final (Charlotte-I); eight 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; one of four active drivers with multiple Top Fuel wins in Sonoma (Kalitta, Antron Brown, Tony Schumacher)

DeJoria Sonoma pre-race notes

Last Event Recap (Denver): Qualified 11th; First round loss (Lost to Jack Beckman in the first round)

2016 Sonoma Recap: Qualified 11th; First round loss (Lost to John Force in the first round)

Career Stats: 126 starts; 87 round wins; Four wins; Seven finals, Four no.1 qualifiers
  

2017 Season Stats: 11 starts; Five round wins; 14th in the point standings