In this battle of tool manufacturers in Top Fuel, Mac Tools came out on top.  (Steve Gruenwald photo)

NHRA pros at Gainesville, Florida

Doug Kalitta and Steve Johnson break through with wins

Results compiled by Kay Burk
Photos by Steve Gruenwald and Adam Cranmer

Top Fuel points leader Doug Kalitta raced to his first victory of the 2014 season Sunday, March 16, at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at historic Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville, Fla.

Robert Hight (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Steve Johnson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event.

TOP FUEL

Kalitta and the Mac Tools team made their way to the Gatornationals winner’s circle by defeating Antron Brown in the Top Fuel final round. Kalitta zipped down the 1,000-foot drag strip with an impressive 3.830-second, 323.74-mph run to get the win as Brown’s dragster struggled to maintain traction, turning in a run of 5.106 sec., 147.50 mph.

The win in Gainesville is Kalitta’s third at the famed event (2005 and 2000). Kalitta now has 34 NHRA Top Fuel trophies on his mantle which ties him for sixth on the all-time Top Fuel wins list.