Pre-Race Report Event 21: AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals Gateway Motorsports Park Madison, Ill.

Doug Kalitta AAA Midwest .jpg

Doug Kalitta AAA Midwest .jpg

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

Shawn Langdon AAA Midwest .jpg

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

Richie Crampton AAA Midwest .jpg

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

JR Todd AAA Midwest .jpg

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

Alexis DeJoria AAA Midwest .jpg

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 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *