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Doug Kalitta races to third straight NHRA Top Fuel victory


TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Doug Kalitta overcame an ill-handling car Sunday in the NHRA Kansas Nationals to race to his third consecutive Top Fuel victory.

The season leader's dragster lost traction at the hit of the throttle and got sideways two times as he worked the steering wheel to cross the finish line before fellow finalist Antron Brown. Kalitta finished in 5.452 seconds at 238.85 mph for his 41st career victory, while Brown's dragster also lost traction and posted a 5.687 at 298.60.

"It's a seat of your pants kind of deal and you try to stay off the centerline and not hit the wall," Kalitta said. "There is a limit. I think I had it more sideways than I've ever had a Top Fuel car before. It finally straightened out and we were fortunate to get the win."

Matt Hagan won in Funny Car, and Jason Line topped the Pro Stock field.

Hagan's Dodge Charger also lost traction early in the final round, but he managed to get on and off the throttle just enough to finish in front of Jack Beckman in a replay of the Atlanta final last weekend. Hagan finished in 5.724 at 179.04, while Beckman's Dodge also smoked the tires on the run and trailed with a 6.560 at 146.75. It was Hagan's 20th career victory.

Line raced to his fifth win of the season in his eighth consecutive final, outrunning teammate Greg Anderson. Line finished in 6.664 at 207.85 in his Chevy Camaro, and Anderson's Camaro trailed with a 6.687 at 207.02. Line has 42 career victories.

FULL RESULTS:

Top Fuel — 1. Doug Kalitta. 2. Antron Brown. 3. Steve Torrence. 4. Richie Crampton. 5. Tony Schumacher. 6. Shawn Langdon. 7. Brittany Force. 8. Clay Millican. 9. J.R. Todd. 10. Scott Palmer. 11. Terry McMillen. 12. Rob Passey. 13. Luigi Novelli. 14. Terry Haddock. 15. Smax Smith.

Funny Car — 1. Matt Hagan. 2. Jack Beckman. 3. Courtney Force. 4. Tim Wilkerson. 5. Robert Hight. 6. Alexis DeJoria. 7. Tommy Johnson Jr.. 8. Del Worsham. 9. John Force. 10. Bob Tasca III. 11. Brian Stewart. 12. John Hale. 13. Chad Head. 14. Ron Capps. 15. Dale Creasy Jr.. 16. Cruz Pedregon.

Pro Stock — 1. Jason Line. 2. Greg Anderson. 3. Allen Johnson. 4. Shane Gray. 5. Bo Butner. 6. Alex Laughlin. 7. Erica Enders. 8. Vincent Nobile. 9. Aaron Strong. 10. Chris McGaha. 11. Deric Kramer. 12. Drew Skillman. 13. Jeg Coughlin. 14. Dave River. 15. V. Gaines. 16. Mark Hogan.

FINAL RESULTS: 

Top Fuel — Doug Kalitta, 5.452 seconds, 238.85 mph def. Antron Brown, 5.687 seconds, 298.60 mph.
Funny Car — Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 5.724, 179.04 def. Jack Beckman, Charger, 6.560, 146.75.
Pro Stock — Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 6.664, 207.85 def. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.687, 207.02.
Top Alcohol Dragster — Joey Severance, 5.327, 270.27 def. Megan Meyer, 5.445, 263.20.
Top Alcohol Funny Car — Jeff Jones, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.676, 258.32 def. Clint Thompson, Chevy Camaro, 5.576, 260.86.
Super Stock — Justin Jenkins, Chevy Cobalt, 9.755, 130.52 def. Mike Cotten, Plymouth Barracuda, 10.146, 126.15.
Stock Eliminator — Trista Fenner, Chevy Nova, 10.683, 121.52 def. Brenda Grubbs, Chevy Camaro, 10.425, 122.86.
Super Comp — Austin Williams, Dragster, 8.938, 155.06 def. Mike Green, Dragster, 8.885, 175.09.
Super Gas — Bruce Johnson, Chevy Camaro, 9.921, 161.46 def. Duane Kohl, Chevy Corvette, 9.932, 160.96.
Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com — Scott Javers, Chevy Camaro, 6.815, 204.23 def. Curt Harshfield, Chevy, 7.017, 188.81.