KALITTA Cruises to Second Top Fuel Title, Beats IDA ZETTERSTRÖM in Finals

November 25, 2025

• Doug Kalitta secured his second NHRA Top Fuel championship in three years with a dominant playoff performance, clinching the title before the final race at Pomona. After years of heartbreaking near-misses, Kalitta and crew chief Alan Johnson found their groove mid-season, winning back-to-back races in Sonoma and Brainerd to enter the playoffs fourth in points.
• The championship run included a memorable final round victory over IDA ZETTERSTRÖM in St. Louis, showcasing the international competition we’re seeing more of in Top Fuel. Kalitta’s consistency through the Countdown to the Championship playoffs – reaching the final at the first four playoff races and winning twice – proved too much for competitors Tony Stewart, Justin Ashley, and teammate Shawn Langdon to overcome.
• Kalitta’s season featured spectacular performances including a historic 3.628-second run at 341.34 mph in Seattle, marking the second-quickest and third-fastest run in NHRA history at the time. The championship adds to the impressive Kalitta Motorsports legacy under team owner Connie Kalitta, bringing the organization’s total to six world titles across Top Fuel and Funny Car divisions.

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