Kalitta, Scelzi, Anderson & Johnson Win at Gateway
Written by Josh Katinger · June 28, 2004
MADISON, Ill. — Doug Kalitta moved into the Top Fuel points lead with a victory Sunday at the Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals at Gateway International Raceway.
Gary Scelzi, Greg Anderson and Steve Johnson also were winners at the $1.8 million race, the 12th of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
NHRA.com: Sunday Recap
The event was marred by a second round crash involving Top Fuel driver Darrell Russell. Russell’s dragster went out of control and crashed just past the finish line. He was transported to St. Louis Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.
In the Top Fuel final, Kalitta powered his Mac Tools dragster to a 4.535 second run at 326.87 mph to defeat teammate David Grubnic, who ran 4.794 at 304.80 in his machine. It was Kalitta’s second victory of the season and 17th of his career.
“Running against David in the final was great,” Kalitta said. “We did the best to block out everything that happened today, but it was really tough. I am not going to celebrate tonight. I am going to pack my stuff up and move on to the next event.”
LADDERS
Top Fuel
Funny Car
Pro Stock
Pro Stock Bike
Final finish order (1-16)…
TOP FUEL:
1. Doug Kalitta; 2. David Grubnic; 3. Scott Kalitta; 4. Larry Dixon; 5. Brandon Bernstein; 6. Darrell Russell; 7. Bob Vandergriff; 8. Tony Schumacher; 9. Brady Kalivoda; 10. John Smith; 11. Doug Herbert; 12. Scott Weis; 13. Rhonda Hartman-Smith; 14. T.J. Zizzo; 15. Bruce Litton; 16. Cory McClenathan.
FUNNY CAR:
1. Gary Scelzi, Dodge Stratus; 2. John Force, Ford Mustang; 3. Cruz Pedregon, Chevy Monte Carlo; 4. Ron Capps, Monte Carlo; 5. Tommy Johnson Jr., Monte Carlo; 6. Del Worsham, Monte Carlo; 7. Bob Gilbertson, Chevy Camaro; 8. Jerry Toliver, Toyota Celica; 9. Jeff Arend, Chevy Corvette; 10. Tony Pedregon, Monte Carlo; 11. Tim Wilkerson, Monte Carlo; 12. Whit Bazemore, Stratus; 13. Jim Head, Celica; 14. Eric Medlen, Mustang; 15. Gary Densham, Mustang; 16. Phil Burkart, Pontiac Firebir
PRO STOCK:
1. Greg Anderson, Pontiac Grand Am; 2. Steve Johns, Chevy Cavalier; 3. Jeg Coughlin, Cavalier; 4. Dave Connolly, Cavalier; 5. Jason Line, Grand Am; 6. Kenny Koretsky, Dodge Stratus; 7. Larry Morgan, Stratus; 8. Warren Johnson, Grand Am; 9. V. Gaines, Stratus; 10. Rickie Smith, Cavalier; 11. Kurt Johnson, Cavalier; 12. Mike Edwards, Grand Am; 13. Troy Coughlin, Cavalier; 14. Allen Johnson, Stratus; 15. Jim Yates, Grand Am; 16. Bruce Allen, Grand Am.
PRO STOCK BIKE:
1. Steve Johnson, Suzuki; 2. Craig Treble, Suzuki; 3. Geno Scali, Suzuki; 4. Michael Phillips, Suzuki; 5. Shawn Gann, Suzuki; 6. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson; 7. Josh Helvie, Kawasaki; 8. Antron Brown, Suzuki; 9. Angelle Savoie, Suzuki; 10. Mike Berry, Suzuki; 11. Matt Smith, Suzuki; 12. Chip Hunter, Suzuki; 13. Tommy Grimes Jr, Suzuki; 14. Blaine Hale, Suzuki; 15. GT Tonglet, Harley-Davidson; 16. Fred Collis.
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I wonder if the Amato team was using the new Goodyear slicks yesterday? They are designed with a stronger sidewall to prevent the sidewall failures that have led to some violent crashes in Top Fuel over the last few years. Because of this new design, some teams were struggling with the new Goodyears and to stay in contention they switched back to last years tire. I think the NHRA is allowing teams to use up last years slicks for the remainder of this season. Ed
Good point Ed…and from the looks of it the Amato team is not a super high budget team…it would make sense for them to use up the old tires for cost reasons if nothing else.