Pre-Race Report Event 20: NHRA Nationals Maple Grove Raceway Reading, Penn.

Points leader Kalitta rides wave of momentum into Reading

Reading Highlights: One win (2002); One no. 1 qualifier (2004)

Last Event Recap (Charlotte): Qualified first; Race Winner (Defeated Chris Karamesines in the first round, Tony Schumacher in the quarterfinals, Clay Millican in the semifinals and Richie Crampton in the final)

2016 Reading Recap: Qualified fourth; Quarterfinal finish (Defeated Ike Maier in the first round, lost to Brittany Force in the quarterfinals)

Quotable: “It was great to pick up the first win of the season in Charlotte, and now the Mac Tools team is ready to continue the charge into Reading and hopefully keep this momentum rolling. Reading conditions are going to be much different than last season, and we feel confident we had a great set-up for them.”

Career Stats: 453 starts; 615 round wins (ninth all-time); 43 wins (Fifth all-time in Top Fuel); 90 finals; 49 no.1 qualifiers (tied 14th all-time)

2017 Season Stats: One win (Charlotte-II); Three finals (Pomona-I, Norwalk, Charlotte-II); Two no.1 qualifiers (Norwalk, Charlotte-II); 26 round wins; first in the standings

Noteworthy: Kalitta is coming off his first win of the season in Charlotte; he took the points lead for the first time this year; he has now led the Top Fuel points at least one week in four of the last five seasons; after no wins in the first 14 events of the 2017 season, Kalitta Motorsports has now claimed one win in the last three events and four of the last five (J.R. Todd – Sonoma, Indianapolis; Alexis DeJoria – Brainerd; Doug Kalitta – Charlotte-II)

Langdon looks to rebound in Reading 

Reading Highlights: One win (2013); Track MPH record holder (334.15 MPH – 2012)

Last Event Recap (Charlotte): Qualified eighth; First round loss (Lost to Tony Schumacher in the first round)

2016 Reading Recap (w/ DSR): Qualified third; Semifinalist (Defeated Smax Smith in the first round and Dom Lagana in the quarterfinals, lost to Antron Brown in the semifinals)

Quotable: “Hopefully, Reading will be a race we can turn it around. We have a great opportunity to still make a run at the championship but Reading will be a great race to get that started.” 

Career Stats: 200 starts; 239 round wins; 14 wins; 28 finals; 18 no.1 qualifiers

2017 Season Stats: 15 starts; Nine round wins; 10th in the point standings

Noteworthy: Langdon recorded the 334.15 MPH pass five years ago in Reading; that still ranks as the fastest Top Fuel pass in NHRA history

After great Charlotte event, Crampton wants to go one round further in Reading

Reading Highlights: One no.1 qualifier (2014)

Last Event Recap (Charlotte): Qualified seventh; Finalist (Defeated Scott Palmer in the first round, Steve Torrence in the quarterfinals and Brittany Force in the semifinals, lost to Doug Kalitta in the final)

2016 Reading Recap (w/ MLR): Qualified 11th; First round loss (Lost to Dom Lagana in the first round)

Quotable: “I am really looking forward to Reading this weekend after the success we had last weekend with the SealMaster team. We are going to do everything we can to continue to help our teammates and hopefully score some more round wins.” 

Career Stats: 74 starts; 73 round wins; Seven wins; Nine finals; Five no.1 qualifiers

2017 Season Stats: Two starts; One final (Charlotte-II); Three round wins

Noteworthy: Joined Kalitta Motorsports prior to the U.S. Nationals to drive for SealMaster Top Fuel dragster for the remainder of the season; Crampton is the 2014 NHRA Auto Club Road to the Future winner; In 2015, Crampton earned five wins and finished third in the final point standings

Predicted Reading hot weather suits Todd’s team well

Reading Highlights: One win (2006)

Last Event Recap (Charlotte): Qualified second; Semifinalist (Defeated Jeff Diehl in the first round and Ron Capps in the quarterfinals, lost to Robert Hight in the semifinals)

2016 Reading Recap (Top Fuel): Qualified 15th; First round loss (Lost to Antron Brown the first round)

Quotable: “I’m hoping the wether stays warm and sunny this weekend and that we can keep riding this wave of momentum through the Countdown.” 

Career Stats: 167 starts; 167 round wins; 11 wins; 21 finals; 9 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 19 starts; Two wins (Sonoma, Indianapolis); Three finals (Charlotte-I, Sonoma, Indianapolis); 18 round wins)

2017 Season Stats: 19 starts; Two wins (Sonoma, Indianapolis); Three finals (Charlotte-I, Sonoma, Indianapolis); 18 round wins; fifth in the point standings

Noteworthy: Todd is sitting in his highest position in the standings this season (fifth); earned his career-best Funny Car start (second) in Charlotte

DeJoria Reading pre-race notes

Last Event Recap (Charlotte): Qualified fifth; Semifinalist (Defeated Jonnie Lindberg in the first round and Jim Campbell in the quarterfinals, lost to Courtney Force in the semifinals)

2016 Reading Recap: Qualified 13th; First round loss (Lost to Ron Capps in the first round)

Career Stats: 129 starts; 94 round wins; Five wins; Eight finals; Four no.1 qualifiers

2017 Season Stats: 15 starts; One win (Brainerd); 12 round wins; 11th in the point standings