When you look at the racing career of Doug Kalitta, you will be immediately impressed with his accomplishments.  The even-tempered, 46-year old nephew of racing legend Connie Kalitta has earned 31 wins over his 12-year career, ranking him sixth all-time in the Top Fuel Dragster ranks.  Three times, he has finished as the Top Fuel points runner-up and his streak of finishing in the Top 10 in the points standings extends over the past 10 years.

All of this achieved while owning his business, Kalitta Charters-- a charter airline service operated from Ypsilanti, MI which offers professional, competitive, and secure environment for Executive Charter, Air Ambulance & Air Cargo services.  Kalitta Charters operates a fleet of over 25 aircraft which carry anything from organs ready for transplant to Kentucky Derby horses.  Kalitta Charters is honored to be the sole company that has a contract with the government to fly the remains of soldiers to their final resting places.

Racing Career Highlights

• 2011: Advanced to Countdown to 1 for third straight year; Continued streak of finishing in the top 10 in points in every season of his career
• 2010: Runner-up at inaugural 4-Wide Nationals; Earned one win (Denver) in six finals; Claimed two No. 1 qualifying positions; Advanced to the Countdown playoffs for the third time
• 2009: Opened season with a win at Pomona 1; Reached two more final rounds; Advanced to Countdown to 1 for second straight year
• 2008: Advanced to the Countdown to 1 playoffs for the first time; Posted runner-up finish at Indianapolis
• 2007: Kalitta earned his only win of the season in Richmond, one week before a runner-up finish in Las Vegas; Extended streak of seasons with at least one win to 10
• 2006: Led the POWERade Series standings for last 11 races of season; Raced to five victories in five final rounds; Matched his career best points finish of second (also 2003 and ’04); No. 1 qualifier two times; Posted ninth consecutive POWERade Top 10 finish
• 2005: Led the POWERade point standings after 10 events; Raced to five victories in seven final rounds; Won at Sonoma for the fifth time; No. 1 qualifier three times; Posted eighth consecutive POWERade Top 10 finish
• 2004: Finished second in POWERade point standings for second consecutive season; Qualified No. 1 a category-leading seven times; Won four of eight final round appearances; Led POWERade point standings for first time in his career; Clocked fastest speed in NHRA history, a 335.57 mph blast at Las Vegas 1; Runner-up at 50th Mac Tools U.S. Nationals; Recorded quickest run in NHRA history, a 4.420 second performance at Chicago 1
• 2003: Posted a career-best 2nd place points finish, his sixth straight top-10 finish; led category in No. 1 qualifying positions with nine; set national speed record with 333.25 mph effort at Pomona 2; won $100,000 Budweiser Shootout for the second time in his career; qualified No. 1 at first five races, tying category record set by Gary Beck in 1983
• 2002: Finished fourth in POWERade standings with three victories
• 2001: Won three events; Finished third in the point standings; Was runner-up in the Budweiser Shootout at Pomona
• 2000: Finished fifth in the standings for second consecutive year and won third consecutive Sonoma race
• 1999: Qualified for all 22 national events; Won at Sonoma for the second straight season; Was runner-up in Budweiser Shootout, his second straight final round in the bonus program
• 1998: Replaced cousin Scott Kalitta, a two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion, and went on to win Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award; Won $100,000 Budweiser Shootout for select Top Fuel drivers at Pomona 2
• 1994: USAC National Sprint Car champion

Personal

• Wife: Josie; Son: Mitchell (2/13/01); Daughter: Avery (7/15/03)
• Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 180 pounds
• Hobbies: Boating, fishing, and hunting
• Notable: President of Kalitta Charters; Earned his Lear jet license at age 21; Former USAC National Sprint Car champion (1994)