Kalitta looks to rebound under the Arch
St. Louis Highlights: Three wins (2004, 2003, 2001); One final (2010); Two no. 1 qualifiers (2014, 2005)
Last Event Recap (Reading): Qualified second; Quarterfinal finish (Defeated Audrey Worm in the first round, lost to Dom Lagana in the quarterfinals)
2016 St. Louis Recap: Qualified fourth; Quarterfinal finish (Defeated Terry McMillen in the first round, lost to Shawn Langdon in the quarterfinals)
Quotable: “Reading wasn’t a bad race for the Mac Tools team, but we are looking for more on the result side this weekend in St. Louis. The crowds are always strong and I feel solid about out odds going into the event.”
Career Stats: 454 starts; 616 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); 27 round wins; second in the standings
Noteworthy: Kalitta is a little more than one round out of the points lead with four races remaining
Defending event champion Langdon plans on repeating his win
St. Louis Highlights: Defending race winner; One win (2016); One final (2014); One no. 1 qualifier (2013)
Last Event Recap (Reading): Qualified 10th; First round loss (Lost to Dom Lagana in the first round)
2016 St. Louis Recap (w/ DSR): Qualified fifth; Race Winner (Defeated Antron Brown in the first round, Doug Kalitta in the quarterfinals, Richie Crampton in the semifinals and Tony Schumacher in the finals)
Quotable: “Obviously, we are looking to make a turn around this weekend. We still have an outside shot at this championship, but we have to have a strong run this weekend. The cooler conditions in the forecast definitely favor our tune up. It is always exciting to come back to a race that you won last year. It gives you confidence. We are looking to go rounds and get the win this weekend.”
Career Stats: 201 starts; 239 round wins; 14 wins; 28 finals; 18 no.1 qualifiers
2017 Season Stats: 16 starts; Nine round wins; 10th in the point standings
Noteworthy: Langdon scored his most recent win at this race one season ago; on Wednesday, he will throw out the first pitch at the St. Louis Cardinals game
Crampton looks to continue to play spoiler
St. Louis Highlights: One no.1 qualifier (2016)
Last Event Recap (Reading): Qualified ninth; First round loss (Lost to Antron Brown in the first round)
2016 St. Louis Recap (w/ MLR): Qualified first; Semifinalist (Defeated Kebin Kinsley in the first round and Brittany Force in the quarterfinals, lost to Shawn Langdon in the semifinals)
Quotable: “This is the final race of the three race swing and the SealMaster team is working hard and making gains on performance. I had a strong performance at Gateway last season, and I hope to do even better this season.”
Career Stats: 75 starts; 73 round wins; Seven wins; Nine finals; Five no.1 qualifiers
2017 Season Stats: Three 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
Todd desires strong St. Louis result
Last Event Recap (Reading): Qualified seventh; First round loss (Lost to Tim Wilkerson in the first round)
2016 St. Louis Recap (Top Fuel): Qualified third; Semifinalist (Defeated Kyle Wurtzel in the first round and Pat Dakin the quarterfinals, lost to Tony Schumacher in the semifinals)
Quotable: “We’re ready to get back on track and keep charing toward that championship. Chris Blair has done a great job bringing the race back to life and I cannot wait to hit the track on Friday evening.”
Career Stats: 168 starts; 167 round wins; 11 wins; 21 finals; 9 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 20 starts; Two wins (Sonoma, Indianapolis); Three finals (Charlotte-I, Sonoma, Indianapolis); 18 round wins)
2017 Season Stats: 20 starts; Two wins (Sonoma, Indianapolis); Three finals (Charlotte-I, Sonoma, Indianapolis); 18 round wins; seventh in the point standings
DeJoria St. Louis pre-race notes
Last Event Recap (Reading): Qualified sixth; First Round Loss (Lost to Tommy Johnson Jr. in the first round)
2016 St. Louis Recap: Qualified ninth; First round loss (Lost to Tommy Johnson Jr. in the first round)
Career Stats: 130 starts; 94 round wins; Five wins; Eight finals; Four no.1 qualifiers
2017 Season Stats: 16 starts; One win (Brainerd); 12 round wins; 11th in the point standings