Doug Kalitta Fired Up for Gerber Route 66 NHRA Nationals

Doug Kalitta and his Mac Tools Toyota team are heading into the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals with high expectations. The 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to Route 66 Raceway near Chicago from May 16 to May 18.

Kalitta, the reigning 2023 NHRA Top Fuel champion, has delivered strong qualifying results in the first five races of the season. He claimed three No. 1 qualifying spots so far, with standout performances at Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Charlotte, and a No. 2 start in Pomona.

His lowest starting position this year was fourth, posted at the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals. Kalitta’s team also celebrated a win at the Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star Callout and victories in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in both Las Vegas and Charlotte.

Despite these achievements, he has only made it to one final round on raceday in five events. Consistent strong showings in qualifying have placed Kalitta fourth in the points standings, a position that keeps him firmly in the championship mix.

However, he knows there is work to be done on Sundays. Kalitta, a veteran of the Top Fuel class, has enjoyed past success at Route 66 Raceway, with three event wins and three No. 1 qualifiers at Chicago. For more details on the track’s history, you can visit the NHRA’s official website.

His experience and solid performance record at this track make him optimistic. The team’s focus now shifts to turning strong Saturday performances into victories and deeper eliminations on raceday.

Kalitta shares that the Mac Tools crew has put in a big effort and is working closely to find added speed and consistency. This is especially important as Top Fuel competition remains fierce this year.

The team’s goal is to go deeper into elimination rounds to gather more points and fight for season-long honors. Kalitta describes the field as “super competitive,” noting how each event brings fresh challenges. To learn more about the competitive landscape of drag racing, check out this resource from the Society of Automotive Engineers.

He reflects on the importance of his crew, highlighting that racing victories are as much about their dedication as his driving. For Kalitta, seeing the team’s efforts pay off is a major part of the enjoyment of racing.

With the Route 66 NHRA Nationals set to begin, Kalitta’s group prepares to roll out their quickest setups and chase another Chicago win. The team arrives confident, hoping to capitalize on early-season momentum and secure their first major Sunday result of the year.

Fans and competitors will have their eyes on one of Top Fuel’s fastest groups to see if this will be the race where Kalitta puts it all together. The Route 66 Nationals present another chance for Kalitta and Mac Tools Racing to push deeper into the championship chase. For a deeper dive into Top Fuel racing dynamics, the National Hot Rod Association’s technical section offers valuable insights.

The event brings together a field of strong contenders all looking for critical series points. All eyes will be on Chicago as the action unfolds and the stakes rise for drivers like Kalitta aiming to add another trophy on a track where he’s found plenty of success.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.