NHRA: Team Kitty Hawk Ready to Test Theory in Phoenix
19 February 1999
CHANDLER, Ariz. - When Top Fuel dragster driver Doug Kalitta hits the Firebird International Raceway quarter-mile this weekend (February 26-28) for the NHRA Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals he hopes to prove the theory that practice makes perfect.Less than enthusiastic about their performance at the season-opening NHRA AutoZone Winternationals earlier this month, out in round one after qualifying tenth, crew chief Ed McCulloch decided some testing would be to the advantage of the Kitty Hawk-sponsored team. That being the case, Kalitta, and several other teams on the tour, spent four days making test runs in the Land of the Sun to get a better handle on things.
"Yes, we qualified at Pomona, but that is only one-fifth of the battle," said Kalitta, a 34-year-old resident of Ann Arbor, Mich. "After you qualify you have to win four rounds of competition. With all the technology that is available to us, you've got to have a good handle on it because the guy in the lane next to you probably does."
The technology currently in question is a new five-disc clutch setup. While the old four-disc package worked well for the team at the end of last season - Kalitta ran a career-best speed of 320.85 mph and won the $100,000 Big Bud Shootout at Pomona bonus race - it has become a matter of keeping up with, or ahead of, the Joneses.
"There were six guys who ran in the .50s (4.50 seconds) during qualifying at Pomona," continued Kalitta. "Most were using the five-disc setup and two of them were in the final round. That's where we want to be - in the .50s or lower, and in the finals. In this sport, it's easier to get behind than it is to catch up. We learned some things and I think we're ready." Doug won't be the only Kalitta looking to take the title at Firebird, however. His uncle and teammate Connie Kalitta returned to competition late last year after a 16-month hiatus and will be making his first appearance here since 1997. While Connie's team did not participate in the recent testing, they will benefit from the lessons learned.
"As a two-car team we can run one car and apply the findings to both," explained McCulloch. "It saves parts and money, and we only have to tear one driver away from their work schedule."
While many drivers on the tour list racing as their only occupation, such is not the case for Doug and Connie. During the week, and via a beeper on race weekends, Doug serves as vice president of Customer Management for air cargo carrier Kitty Hawk International at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Mich. Connie is the proprietor of Kalitta Leasing in Ann Arbor, which specializes in buying, selling and leasing aircraft.
The winner of last year's Autolite Nationals, Doug was the number five qualifier here last year and went to the second round where he fell to Jim Head. He finished his rookie season sixth in Winston points and was the recipient of the "Road to the Future" award which is presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California to the driver destined for future greatness.
Though he competed in only eight events last year, Connie finished the season 19th in Winston points. In his last appearance here he was the number one qualifier and made it to the semifinals where he lost to event runner-up Kenny Bernstein. A win is what Connie wants this year. Aside from being his first win since the 1994 U.S. Nationals, a win would make a great belated birthday present as the Ypsilanti, Mich., resident will turn 61 on February 24. Currently in a three-way tie for 11th place in Winston points, Doug and Connie are looking to change all that when qualifying for the Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals begins on Friday, February 26 with sessions at noon and 4 p.m. Qualifying will continue on Saturday with sessions again at noon and 4 p.m. Final eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, February 28. Final-round coverage of the Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals can be seen on The Nashville Network (TNN), Sunday, March 7 beginning at noon (ET).