KALITTA GETS BULLRING WIN

Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta returned to his round-racing roots Friday night at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring and raced to an easy victory on the paved oval track at the special event. Kalitta competed with other NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series stars including Gary Scelzi and Jeg Coughlin, Jr. in Thunder Roadsters in a 15-lap charity race. Kalitta’s racing career began on oval tracks.

Kalitta was ARCA/WWAR Midget Rookie of the Year in 1990 and USAC National Midget Rookie of the Year in 1991. In 1994, he was crowned the USAC National Sprint Car Champion. He followed his title with runner-up points finishes in 1995 and 1996. At the LVMS Bullring Kalitta raced to the front of the pack in the opening laps and never relinquished the lead.

“It was a lot of fun turning left again,” Kalitta, 43, said. “I had a really good car, and I want to thank all the folks at Al Budd Racing for letting me drive their race car. It was a great event, and I’m glad I was able to take part in it.”

On The Strip Kalitta was the No. 2 qualifier (4.541/324.98 mph), his best qualifying effort of 2008, defeated No. 15 qualifier Larry Dixon by almost one second in the opening round of the 16-car eliminations, 4.851 sec., 281.71 mph to 5.691 sec., 161.83 mph. In the second round, Kalitta and his opponent Troy Buff both had unspectacular runs, but Kalitta’s effort was a bit better to get the win, 5.004 sec., 265.33 mph to 5.198 sec., 262.79 mph. In the semifinals, Kalitta challenged Antron Brown for a chance to race for the title trophy. Again, both race cars struggled to maintain traction on the sun-drenched, 130-degree track in the Nevada desert, but this time it was Kalitta who came in second, 5.613 sec., 212.63 mph to 5.007 sec., 260.97 mph. (photo courtesy Kalitta Motorsports) [4/14/2008]