In Doug Kalitta’s decorated NHRA Top Fuel career which began in 1998 – he has never been in this position.
 
When Kalitta opens the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season it will be as the reigning world champion for the first time in his career.

Kalitta first taste as a world champ will come when he competes in the 55th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at legendary Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway, March 8-10.

Kalitta captured the coveted world title by 48 points over four-time world champion Steve Torrence and 57 points over third-place finisher Leah Pruett.

Kalitta clinched the crown by winning the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., Nov. 12, defeating Pruett in the final round.

“We’re hoping to pick up where we left off (last season). That’s what I’m thinking,” Kalitta said in an NHRA press release. “Fortunately, with all the changes we made on both our dragsters, Alan (Johnson, crew chief) is definitely the right guy for the job in tuning these things so we’re fortunate to have him so we can keep our momentum going. The main thing is to have fun and take care of business.

“I’m super excited to get this thing going again, and all my guys are super excited. Starting at the Gators in Florida is a fan favorite. It’s always good to race in Florida down in Don Garlits country – he’s pretty much the man for Florida drag racing.”
 
This year’s and this year’s race will be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations action on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. (ET).

As part of the Gatornational festivities, Kalitta will compete in the Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout March 9. Josh Hart is the defending champ of the specialty race and Kalitta enters the shootout as the No. 2 seed. 

If top-seeded Steve Torrence doesn’t call out the reigning world champ, Kalitta will get his choice of opponent for the opening round in the eight-car field. The race, which gets a special broadcast at 7 p.m. (ET) on FS1 on Saturday, gives standouts in Top Fuel a unique opportunity for a double-win weekend.

In addition to Kalitta, the Callout race consists of Torrence, Salinas, Brittany Force, Justin Ashley, Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon, Hart are all part of the Callout as is Top Fuel legend Tony Schumacher, and NASCAR superstar Tony Stewart, who is making his NHRA Top Fuel debut in Gainesville, and Clay Millican.

“It’s very cool Pep Boys has this race and hopefully we can keep on trucking and turn on some more win lights,” Kalitta said. “It’s an interesting formant, for sure, and it should be a lot of fun.

As much as Kalitta wants to win the Callout his focus is to get his 53rd Wally and fourth at the Gators to go along with the Gainesville titles he won in 2000, 2005 and 2014.

“I’ve been out here 26 years and I’ve had a lot of people pulling for me, so it was nice to pull (the championship) off last year. The Gators is always a great place to race, and I’m focused on trying to win there. I appreciate all the support I’ve been receiving, but it’s definitely time to get back to racing.”