Veteran Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta checked the ultimate box off for himself last season, capturing his inaugural NHRA championship.

Now, the reigning world champ is trying to get his first win of the 2024 season this weekend at the 4-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Kalitta took a step in the right direction with his Mac Tools Kalitta Motorsports team on Friday, taking the provisional No. 1 qualifying spot with a 3.779-second run at 332.02 mph.

“That thing was nice and straight. It stuck good. It seemed like it was really safe,” Kalitta said. 

“Yeah, so that was a really nice run for us. The guys, we really needed a good solid run on that thing. We just switched to that car here at Phoenix, so we're just kind of trying to figure out a new car, which isn't much different than what we've been running, but you know how the guys are when everybody works and takes a lot of pride in these things. It was a good run, and the conditions are probably going to be a little warm (Saturday), so we'll have the same opportunity to see if we can run in those numbers again and look forward to it, for sure.”

If Kalitta keeps his spot, it would be the 54th No. 1 qualifying position of his career. He also is no stranger to success in Vegas as Kalitta has two wins in seven final-round appearances.

Kalitta also took a moment to explain what was behind his team making the decision to roll out a new dragster last weekend in Phoenix.

“We're trying to get two cars that are similar to what Shawn's running and I'm running, so that's kind of what we kind of came up with,” Kalitta said. “Shawn's car is a new car and he's really running good with that thing, so I'm hoping if we get both guys and these cars synced together with our two teams, and really just try to take advantage of a two-car team, that's kind of the goal.

“So definitely got the best in the business with Alan (Johnson), and with Brian (Husen) over there with Shawn's car, and got Mac Savage back on my car …. He was the guy that was with me for years back in the day and fortunate to have him back. So, yeah, it was cool to get Brian the opportunity to tune Shawn's car and definitely a great pick with Mac Savage and Alan. It'll be great for those two to work together and see what we can do.”

When Kalitta advanced to the quarterfinals in Phoenix last weekend, he earned a spot in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge at this week’s NHRA 4-Wide Nationals – it’s the first time for the special event in the four-wide format. 

During Saturday’s qualifying sessions, the drivers who reached the quarterfinals in Phoenix will re-run the quarterfinals in the 4-Wide format with the four winners advancing to the “finals” earning additional purse and championship bonus points.

The Kalitta Motorsports camp has excelled this season with Langdon and Funny Car driver J.R. Todd already winning races. Now Kalitta wants to add his name to that list.

“I'm definitely proud of those guys (Shawn and J.R.), and especially for Shawn because we unfortunately just haven't given him the car he's really needed,” Kalitta said. “I mean the last two races, he's definitely got his confidence up and those guys are doing good. But my guys, we started the year winning that shootout (PRO Superstar Shootout in Bradenton, Fla.) and that was a great momentum builder. And then, we've been qualifying well, and just for whatever reason, we've gotten beat early in the rounds on Sunday. So, definitely looking for a good, long day here. I realize it's only three rounds, but definitely trying to get to that last one, so we'll see how it goes. And, so far, it's a good start here.”

Competing at 4-Wide Nationals and it is something Kalitta has learned to navigate through especially at the starting line.

“Everybody’s got their opinion of the 4-Wide, and I really just go back to Bruton Smith. I mean if you've got anybody that's willing to step up, and build a facility like this, and come up with the idea of running four at a time, those people don't come along too often,” Kalitta said. “I would be the absolute last person that would say anything different than ... you just got to figure it out and it gets a little screwy sometimes. But I actually like running. It's a challenge and it's cool that two cars go to the next round, something different. Mixing it up a little bit, I think, is always good.”

Kalitta Motorsports is an iconic team in the NHRA, and Doug said Connie Kalitta, the founder of the world championship team is still keeping close tabs on what’s going on.

“Yeah, so Connie just turned 86, right? So obviously, you know, and he keeps a very close eye on Shawn Langdon's car because he tuned that thing forever. And so, it was great. I mean, obviously getting a couple wins with that car and he couldn't be happier,” Doug said. “Then, obviously, it's all about just trying to put these teams together and Connie's given us everything that we could hope to need, with parts and people. So yeah, Chad (Head), you’ve got to love that guy. He pours his soul into our three cars, and the people, and the passion of everything that goes on with the starting line to the parts, to just everything. So, there's a hell of an effort going on and we're definitely proud of everybody that's part of it. Absolutely.”