Kalitta Motorsports (Finally) Captures Long-Awaited Double-Up

Seventeen times. That’s how many chances Kalitta Motorsports had over the years to win the Top Fuel and Funny Car titles at the same race. On the day Doug Kalitta received his 2023 championship ring, and on the weekend his cousin, the late Scott Kalitta, was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, the 18th time was the charm. Team Kalitta made history when Funny Car driver J.R. Todd and Top Fuel driver Shawn Langdon raced to the winner’s circle in the season-opening Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway in Florida.

“We’ve been trying to double up for a long time,” Todd said. “There were times when I was driving Shawn’s car that Del (Worsham) and I were in the finals together. Then I’d be in the final with Shawn or Doug, but for whatever reason, it just never worked out. You’re definitely not rolling up to the starting line thinking about doubling up, but leading up to it, you know there’s an opportunity. It’s in the back of your mind, but more than anything, I was worried about racing Austin Prock – he had the best car all weekend long.

“The stars lined up for us here in Gainesville. Scott’s sons were here, Scott’s wife, Kathy, was here, and I think it was her first time at the race track since 2008 so it was pretty awesome. I’m just the lucky one who gets to drive Scott’s car – that’s forever his car; his name is still on the side of it. I almost screwed it up in the second round today, but I’m just happy we were able to redeem ourselves and get the trophy for DHL, Revchem, Safety-Kleen, SealMaster and everyone else that supports us,” Todd added.

Weekends like this just really make you appreciate the life you have. Being able to race for a legend like Connie Kalitta is something I don’t take lightly. – Shawn Langdon

Todd was the No. 6 qualifier; he and the DHL Toyota team defeated Blake Alexander, Ron Capps and Bob Tasca on the way to the final round, but the DHL GR Supra had problems in each of the first three rounds. In the final round against Prock, the car was perfect, and Todd won the race with a 3.889-second pass at 329.10 mph. It was Todd’s second Gainesville final round in as many years, and the win was the 21st of his career. Todd leaves Gainesville in first place in the NHRA Funny Car point standings. He leads second-place Austin Prock by eight points.

“You can’t take anybody lightly in Funny Car,” Todd added….