Dallas, Sunday: Two-time Top Fuel points runner-up (2003-2004) Doug Kalitta, driver of Mac Tools dragster, qualified No. 8 (4.518 seconds, 328.94 mph) and advanced the furthest of Team Kalitta's three nitro-fueled, quarter-mile race cars.

With the second best elapsed time of the first round and his best effort down the drag strip of the weekend, Kalitta breezed into the quarterfinals by defeating No. 9 qualifier Cory McClenathan, 4.502 sec., 328.30 mph to 5.869 sec., 155.19 mph.

In the quarterfinals, Kalitta 's 7,000-horsepower rail lost valuable traction early in its run and that allowed No. 1 qualifier Doug Herbert to get the win light, 5.663 sec., 190.54 to 4.567 sec., 321.81 mph.

Ann Arbor, Mich., resident Kalitta, 41, remains in third place in Top Fuel championship points after Dallas. He is only three points behind second place holder Larry Dixon with two events remaining in the 2005 season.