By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster driver Doug Kalitta had an explosion during Saturday’s qualifying at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pennsylvania. As a result, Kalitta’s publicist Rob Goodman has confirmed a backup car will be used.
Goodman said that a truck is on its way to take the dragster back to Michigan. However, it will not be available for the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals next weekend at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina.
Kalitta’s tire was shredded which caused damage to the right wing and chassis. The damaged car is expected to arrive back in Michigan today, according to Goodman.
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“The tire did not fault – there was nothing wrong with the tire,” Kalitta Motorsports general manager Chad Head. “The car did not have any malfunctions on the run, but something caused the tire to explode; we do not know what caused the tire explosion.”
Kalitta is the No. 3 qualifier. However, since this is a new car, it may cause him problems in their match-up with Josh Hart.
The Michigan native went 3.696 at 331.45 during his best pass in qualifying. The Florida native went 3.798 at 327.90 on his birthday weekend at the track.
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Kalitta will go back to an open cockpit during today’s eliminations. The backup car does not have a canopy like his normal car.
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