Doug Kalitta
KALITTA ’ S MOST RECENT WIN ( AS OF THIS WRITING ) CAME AT THE NHRA VIRGINIA NATIONALS AT VIRGINIA
MOTORSPORTS PARK . HE DEFEATED KALITTA MOTORSPORTS TEAMMATE SHAWN LANGDON IN THE FINAL ROUND .
I think a lot of people expected immediate success when Alan Johnson joined Kalitta Motorsports at the beginning of the 2022 season . What ’ s it been like working with him and learning his approach to running one of these cars ?
I was really hoping I ’ d get that [ first ] win . That first win with him was huge for me because it was over a year before we ’ d won our first race and I ’ m like , “ Man , I definitely don ’ t want to be the one driver who doesn ’ t win a race with Alan Johnson as their crew chief .” But after that , it just all started flowing .
He ’ s very meticulous and very passionate about tuning these cars and making all the parts that he makes for all the teams . He really understands the technology of these engines and the fuel system and everything about them . Not that other people don ’ t , but he ’ s just one of those guys who has a lot of experience and he wants to win like the rest of us . It ’ s been a hell of an opportunity for me to be able to work with him .
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What is it that motivates you at this stage in your career ?
It ’ s been trying to get that championship , and now trying to defend the championship . You certainly don ’ t want to win a championship and
“ You ’ ve just gotta want it worse than the next guy . That hasn ’ t really changed much with me over the years . In order to run at the level we ’ re trying to run here , you definitely have to want it worse .”
then quit . My cousin , Scott Kalitta , won two backto-back championships in Top Fuel , so I guess I could say that my immediate goal is to match up with what my cousin , Scott Kalitta , accomplished .
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You ’ ve won nearly 60 races , nearly 60 No . 1 qualifiers , and now a championship . Are there any other major goals or firsts that you ’ re still chasing ?
The NHRA has been in our family a long time . I want to do whatever it takes to keep this thing going . We have quite a legacy with the NHRA with Connie starting this [ team ] out . If I ’ m driving or not driving or whatever , I ’ m all about trying to promote the sport and just carry on with what we ’ re doing . Hopefully I can keep it in the family . Keeping this effort out here and trying to win these races is just something we do .
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Do you feel like you ’ ve learned anything in winning that first championship last year that can help you mentally as a driver as you chase another title ?
You ’ ve just gotta want it worse than the next guy . That hasn ’ t really changed much with me over the years . In order to run at the level we ’ re trying to run here , you definitely have to want it worse , but you also have to have a great team . I guess the thing that I probably learned the most is you ’ ve gotta keep that team behind you . It ’ s just what it takes . Then obviously our sponsors , without them , we couldn ’ t do what we ’ re doing either . All around , it ’ s just a process . We have to collect enough money to do this , then run well enough for everybody to want to stay with you . It ’ s a real fortunate opportunity . Obviously , Connie Kalitta has been a big part of it . He owns all three of our teams . We ’ re just out here trying to make him proud . DI
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