Phoenix: Doug Kalitta final report

Doug Kalitta, Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster -- No. 13 qualifier, advanced to round one
Doug Kalitta and the Mac Tools team turned away from Phoenix victory

PHOENIX, Ariz., (Feb. 24, 2008) -- Sunday at the second event of the 2008 POWERade Drag Racing Series, the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird Int'l Raceway in Phoenix, Ariz., Doug Kalitta, driver of the 8,000-horsepower "Big Red" Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster, had his dreams of winning in the desert for a second time dashed in the opening round of the 16-car final eliminations.

Kalitta, the No. 13 qualifier (4.713 seconds, 298.47 mph), faced No. 4 qualifier Tony Schumacher in the opening round of final eliminations for the second consecutive event. Unfortunately for Kalitta and his Mac Tools team, the results were the same as they were at the season-opener in Pomona, Calif. Kalitta's rail shook its big rear tires quickly after the race began and, despite a valiant effort by Kalitta to get his race car to regain traction, he had to surrender the win to his opponent, 4.817 sec., 308.43 mph to 4.541 sec., 329.83 mph.

-credit: km