Driver Doug Kalitta of the 8,000-horsepower Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster views July 1 final eliminations at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio a bittersweet event for the olden quarter-mile veteran. Last season's NHRA championship-points runner-up, Doug reached his first semi-final round of 2007 at the Norwalk race track that is situated just two hours away from his home in Ann Arbor, Mich. But thoughts of his father's passing away just days before gave burden on the drag racing fan-favorite. Doug Kalitta, Sr. died due to cancer last Tuesday at age of 67.

Doug said that they really wanted to win for his dad. He continued that July 1 was their best day of the season and he really wish his father was there to see it.

Putting on a great show for the packed grandstands full of NHRA fans were Doug and his first-round opponent Larry Dixon. Doug, the No. 14 qualifier, and Dixon chased each other side-by-side all the way down the drag strip. But Doug's Mac Tools machine succeeded at the finish line, 4.601 seconds, 322.11 mph to 4.632 sec., 317.94 mph. Doug won another close race in the quarter finals. It was Bob Vandergriff, Jr. this time that Doug sent home with 4.586 sec., 325.53 mph to 4.630 sec., 317.34 mph. Doug's best of the weekend in Norwalk was the 2nd round.

In the semifinals, Doug rolled to the starting line to battle with current points-leader Rod Fuller. As the race got started, Doug looked to be on his way to his 53rd career Top Fuel final. However, his Mac Tools machine began struggling with valuable tire traction before the half-track mark and the "Big Red" dragster fell back to let Fuller escape with the win. From 13th to 12th, Doug moved up one position in POWERade championship points and now sits only 53 points away from the magical No. 8 position in points. After the first 17 events of the season, only the top eight in points will qualify to compete for the season championship in the new NHRA Countdown to the Championship format.

Native Australian Dave Grubnic, Doug's Top Fuel teammate and driver of the Zantrex-3 dragster, qualified for eliminations positioning in the 8th spot. After Grubnic and opponent Luigi Novelli struggled to keep their nitro-fueled machines stuck to the racing surface, Grubnic picked up a round one win but managed to get the win in a tire-smoking affair, 6.857 sec., and 207.82 mph to 10.264 sec., 207.82 mph.

Grubnic raced Fuller in the quarterfinals. The Australian's rail lost traction almost immediately after leaving the starting line. That let Fuller get the win light at 11.986 sec., 83.85 mph to 4.552 sec., 322.73 mph.

Furthermore, Grubnic moved up position in POWERade Top Fuel points from 7th to 6th.

Scott Kalitta, driver of the DHL Toyota Solara Funny Car, did not qualify for Sunday's final eliminations in the Funny Car class. Probably, its Toyota Solara parts were not functioning well during a certain part of the race.

Hillary Will, driver of the Kalitta Motorsports-managed Ken Black-owned KB Racing LLC Top Fueler, was unfortunate and defeated in the quarterfinals.

The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals was the 11th of 23 national events in the 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.