Domination: Connie Kalitta and The Only Triple Crown In Top Fuel History

This is the story of one of the great winning streaks in the history of top fuel drag racing. In 1967, over the span of five weeks, Connie Kalitta won the season opening races for the AHRA, NHRA, and NASCAR Drag Division, a total of four in a row. His car, powered by the exotic for the time 427 Ford Cammer engine set the national records for NHRA and NASCAR top fuel over the span of these races.
This video looks at not only the streak itself but Kalitta's early career, his partnership with Ford Motor Company, his mastery of the Cammer engines, that mill's history, and so much more. The details of each race are shared here, elapsed times, speeds, and opponents.
This is also the story of how one of the world's most astonishing private business empires began because a 29 year old top fuel racer won back to back events in California. Kalitta Air is a global colossus today and it began with one small plane and a dream. You'll learn that here as well.
A look at top fuel history and a whole lot more!

[@wsthankyou]

I worked with Connie at Ramchargers Racing Engines... in Taylor, Michigan in the early 70's... He and his team would come in to do engine work or on the Dragsters and funny cars they raced... Along with all the others... Garlits, Muldowney, McEwen, Prudhomme and Goldstein... Great Times and Memories...

[@79tazman]

Ramchargers was affiliated with Chryslers was it not or am I thinking of something else?

[@thekingsilverado3266]

I lost my ass when I was ordered to serve in Iraq. Along with me my wife and kids losing our home I lost my die cast John Force cars and little hot wheels cars. I mean the dollars back then I had better than $6,000 in collectors stuff including a hand sewn John Force Comforter and blankets for my bed never to be seen or bought again... I am sad at the History that was literally stolen from me my family and children. It was an investment totally gone.

[@racerwes]

Connie’s foundational contributions to our industry cannot be overstated. He’s one of my personal heroes for not just what he has accomplished on track. Thank you for this, Brian!

[@troy-from-cjrc]

A legit living legend! I'm a life long Kalitta fan and a huge fan of Kalitta Air and all the amazing things they do above and beyond the normal transport companies of the world. Thanks for sharing this early Connie history.

[@mr.intensity2685]

Connie once said that he raced to support and promote his business, but now the business supports the racing.

[@Axeman428]

I was just 13 but a hardcore ford fanatic already in 67. I can remember those things just melting the tires the entire 1/4 mile. It was quite a show back then.

[@martymorse2]

Great memories Brian of the Golden age of Ford in NHRA Top Fuel. Connie in my opinion personifies the American Dream of what happens when someone combines intelligence, work ethic and the relentless pursuit of chasing a dream. On top of that he did it with a physical disability. Amazing story.

[@mr.intensity2685]

What sort of disability did he have?

[@martymorse2]

@@mr.intensity2685 He lost his eye sight in one eye in a childhood accident.

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

Him and Garlits were the first 2 to sign off on Shirley Muldowney’s 1st A gas license. He’s a legend

[@hillbillyhitman8506]

Tiny Lund was the 3rd.

[@58sportsuburban]

@@hillbillyhitman8506 Tiny Lund drove stock cars.. Tommy Ivo signed her license.

[@hillbillyhitman8506]

@@58sportsuburban I looked it up and you are correct, so I wonder why in her autobiography they portrayed it as Tiny and not Tommy Ivo? Supposedly Tiny was blackmailed to sign it to get his Torque Wrench back from Kallitta.

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

@@58sportsuburban yep it was ivo. And ivo did all the driving scenes in heart like a wheel the movie about Shirley

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

@@hillbillyhitman8506 because ivo was actually doing the driving and couldn’t portray himself like he liked to do

[@blakeedmondson6762]

If I could talk to one person everyday, all day for the rest of my life it would be this man here! Wealth of knowledge and I find myself wanting to learn more and more about the so called golden days of our sport! Thanks man!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thanks!!!

[@aszilagyi100]

Amazing episode Brian! Thank you !

[@brianlohnes3079]

@@aszilagyi100 thank you!

[@Bdogg12784]

It's the voice for me. Lol. Definitely makes me want to live in a different time lol. Another awesome video.

[@Mike583]

I'm 71 & for me,the 60's to 80's,were the golden years!❤

[@Alone-ut7mc]

I absolutely love your videos on historic drag racing. The old days of the sport in my opinion were more entertaining than today's "professional " racing. The Nitro Chaos, Good guys, Sega races, for today are top of charts for me . The only thing that I hate is the move to 1/8 mile . 1320 WFO

[@robertbihn3005]

The death of his son changed races to 1000' to save lives. Today they are going faster than what they were back then, around 320 mph. NHRA rumors: cutting cu in to under 400 !

[@davidleonard8369]

Do we you mean 1000 ft? 1/8 mile is only 660 ft.

[@baronoflivonia.3512]

Fantastic Video. I remember Kalitta coming by the family farm on Huron River Drive to talk to my Grand Dad about this engine, Grand Dad was running Ford Dyno Lab at Michigan Ave. I met just about every FoMoCo driver in Motor Sports mid 60's till when he retired in 75. The Farm was Great Grand Dads, but he passed away in 68. I got my Super Stock & Drag Illustrated mags from Tom Smith's Wolverine Chassis garbage, grew up around corner from his house. Great memories from 65-75.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Amazing!!

[@thesquirrelchroniclesakare7808]

Brian these videos are on another level my friend. Thank you for bringing us this history that we would never know without you ! 💪🏻

[@ThomasELeClair]

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,amen................................................................................................................

[@abcullens2328]

Brian that was beautiful, Connie kalitta was one of my heroes. I'm a retired racer in his mid-70s, grew up in the great Inland Empire. I was at the drag strips almost every weekend, Fontana, irwindale, Riverside international raceway, Ontario motor speedway, Orange county international and of course lions raceway. (Add many more) I saw Connie kalitta race many times, I was always in the pits. Brought back fond memories. Good job on the video, keep them coming!

[@mypl510]

Once I heard John Ewald call him "Ol'Ratchet Jaw" I can't stop calling him that myself. But with much respect to Mr. Kalitta

[@DarrenShaw-ev5tb]

Legendary Announcer Voice ! Murray Walker - Steve Evans come to mind !! Thanx Brian

[@brianlohnes3079]

A million thank yous! I grew up watching Steve Evans and am a devoted student of zillions of hours of video featuring Murray Walker. Brilliant, both of them.

[@pizzandoughnutspage7817]

Thanks for taking all of us there, history will always amaze the imagination. Connie is certainly one of the hardest working people in drag racing, tons of respect for all that he has built. Thanks Brian another great one for us!

[@LowLevelNC]

Wow. Thank you, Brian! The entire NHRA community is blessed to watch history being preserved like this. Here's another gem = The FAA callsign for Kalitta Charters II is "Dragster", and the callsign for Kalitta Air is "Connie". How cool is that?

[@ClovisChitwood]

thanks for bringing us these stories Brian

[@iowa_don]

5:55 - I definitely remember that photo of theBounty Hunter in a wind tunnel! WOW, just WOW!

[@vehdynam]

Absolutely a fantastic , and well researched story about one of the true icons of the sport Well done Professor Lohnes ! It does make me wonder ( as an avid reader of magazine my entire life) how , in the future, research such as this , and the attending stories ,will ever be accomplished.

[@davidrial9249]

I saw Connie at PID in 1967, he was running great!! They had a rain out. I couldn't make it back for the rain date! I've regretted that ever since!!! He is one if my Heroes!!!¡!😊

[@keithwood4297]

These videos and your Dork-O-Motive podcasts are great! I have had to make several trips from Wyoming to California lately. Nothing like listening to a Dork-O-Motive podcast while driving across Bonneville.

[@mikecurtis2585]

That's a lot of great drag racing history! And one of the greatest family's in drag racing! Keep the history coming always fun!!!

[@bobbolieu9013]

Your video, classy and very well presented as usual tell a tale of wonder and wonder. Wonder at what Connie has been able to accomplish in his life. Wonder at how he did it at all. However one of Connie's traits the few talk about is his uncanny ability to not only see where he needs to go in the future, more so to me is his baffling talent of being in the right place, at the right time, to do the right thing as only Conrad Kalitta can do. Thank you Brian for this magnificent gift of the story of what one man did at one time.

[@1978garfield]

I wonder if he ever got a chance to hang out with Niki Lauda? They were both brilliant drivers, understood how cars worked and both had success in the air line business. Being the only 2 racers I know of to start their own airlines you would have thought they would have bumped in to each other at some industry event.

[@bobbolieu9013]

@@1978garfield That is a very intriguing question. As you said, being in the same industry the chances were probably pretty high.

[@joshuagibson2520]

Heeeelllll yyeeaaaah! A new Lohnes adventure!

[@Dan-nl2ug]

Thanks Brian,I never knew these facts of Connie,only you bring these awesome Informative videos❤❤this is a gem,and so is Connie Kalitta

[@brianlohnes3079]

The dude is a national treasure

[@MattLitkeRacing]

Connie has done a lot. I’m glad his team has been having success lately

[@Cliffswanson]

I was 17 in 1967 and getting my head into the amazingly cool looking cars and the articles in drag racing magazines. I went to a match race at Islip Dragway on Long Island between Don Garlits and a now forgotten opponent and have been a fan ever since. This review of the Kalitta legacy is full of history and reported in Brian's inimitable and entertaining style. A must consume for any drag racing enthusiast! To Brian... Dude! I've only recently discovered your YT channel and am consuming it voraciosly. Thank you so much for putting your time and energy into the content you've posted thus far. Your dedication to NHRA drag racing is a gift and much appreciated. Don't stop!!

[@masongiles8443]

Thank you for always bringing me these amazing stories!! These historic accounts bring inspiration and drive to continue on my course

[@bottomlands]

Really enjoy these deep dives into drag racing history Lohnes. Thanks a million for all the time and effort you put into them!

[@84AE85trueno]

Thank you Brian, as a non American I’ve always found it difficult to keep up with the the history of drag racing in America (the home of drag racing for me personally), but thanks to good blokes like yourself, I’m finding out about sone of the most amazing and most influential cars and drivers that were part of making the sport what it is! Respect man, you’re a godsend!

[@brianlohnes3079]

I am glad you are enjoying these! Cooking up another drag racing history one now!

[@user-fc4ob8yz3j]

ford was once chryslers only compeditor

[@robertbihn3005]

I saw him run 1963-'66 match races at the Island Dragway, he is a cool guy. We'd watch him him preparing in between runs in the pits. He'd answer questions as he worked, his slingshot was always clean & fast. I always thought, here is a real pro ! This was the best drag racing time.

[@robbnutter4665]

Very much enjoy your obvious research and truly insightful videos. As a lifelong car enthusiast, I was glad to see one of Connie's 747's on the ramp the last time I was on Maui. Your talk of money reminds me of a saying I once heard: You know how you make a small fortune in racing? Start with a large one.

[@brianlohnes3079]

He’s about the most galactic lone exception to that rule who exists. It’s applied to everyone else in racing history, I agree

[@1978garfield]

@@brianlohnes3079 I first head that joke from Bill Davis. I think he was telling to Mark Martin's dad when it was reported.

[@ridgerunnerperformance-jas5418]

Always a great story!!! Thanks for your hard work.

[@derrickblagg1440]

After you read the article about nascar drag racing circuit racing, I couldn’t help but draw the comparison to the phenomenal work they do at the no prep kings series. That is what the drag racers of old were hoping the sport could achieve . It just took time and tv.

[@brianlohnes3079]

There’s a guy selling his car for a half million bucks right now, the dudes at Pop Rod would have stroked out to learn that. Haha

[@billlamb1937]

Another good one! I had always thought/remembered the Ford SOHC engines having reliability problems, blowing the cranks out the bottom of the block. If that was true, which I now wonder, Mr. Kalitta was able to manage the issue. Thanks for doing these.

[@brianlohnes3079]

The cranks, not the problem. The nodular iron blocks, not the problem. The Ford rods? The problem. Haha

[@dustydon6419]

I truly love your channel. Much respect for the time you must be putting in to provide this content. Thanks for sharing this with the masses

[@brianlohnes3079]

Appreciate you watching Don. I enjoy the process of excavating as much info as I can and trying to tie it all together. Thanks for taking the time to check it out

[@dustydon6419]

@@brianlohnes3079 I’m a history fan period, but I love gear head history. I truly appreciate what you’re doing. I can’t imagine the time you put in researching your videos

[@m00nkinftw]

Hey Brian, I wanna say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all this awesome drag racing history. I'm fascinated by the sport but I live in the Netherlands, and the drag racing scene here is almost non-existent. We don't even have a single dedicated drag strip where people can race on the regular, so youtube videos like this feed my need for drag racing stuff.

[@chrishorbatt3504]

Wow what another incredibly awesome video. I've been around drag racing my whole life and I never heard this story before which is basically typical for most of the videos you do!

[@LaLaLand.Germany]

I think one cannot talk about The Cammer without mentioning Ed Pink (Guys had funny names those days...)

[@brianlohnes3079]

He’s in there!

[@LaLaLand.Germany]

@@brianlohnes3079 Yeah, I heard. Wasn´t chiming in to offend, just a fan of what Ed achieved- was just saying. Don´t go full Tuco on me ;) This engine is just too cool.

[@brianlohnes3079]

@@LaLaLand.Germany - sorry wasn’t trying to come in hot!!

[@LaLaLand.Germany]

@@brianlohnes3079 No worries, we´re cool

[@halseyknox]

Good story Brian....almost three in one..Connie, Cammer, NASCAR vrs. NHRA.....great episode.....I have all the mags you have highlighted in all your episodes....so far 😁

[@davidtrosin7102]

I worked for Conni back in the 80ies hes definitely a legend!

[@roberthevern6169]

Mr Lohnes, as I write this, I am 3 feet from an 8X10 of the Dave West resto version of the vaunted Beebe & Mulligan T/F dragster! The only flaw is that my pic shows a 392 and the team had transitioned to the 426 version by that time(68 I believe). Of course the distributor location is the tip off. But, you're no dummy. I stopped the post at 22:18 to compose. Calling John legendary was super! Thanks! You're good at this, don't beat yourself up too much. In fact, your voice and delivery are the best this 69yr old has heard. Oh, yeah, on the cover of the Hot Rod mag covering the 67 Kalitta cammer win in huge font was 'Veni Vidi Vici' Ford! I came I saw I conquered! But you knew that! Ok, on with your glorious post! PS: I was 12yrs in 67! 29 yrs old! 60 fuelers! That saddle design would likely be a no no! The Cessna 310 twin w/tip tanks is a legendary airplane. Thanks! Since the passing Don Schumacher, Connie, 'Big' & Snake are the few big names left. Wait is the Greek gone, maybe not!

[@tedmiko3204]

Thanks for another awesome one , Brian!

[@Moxieman]

Brian...you may have a small channel sub base ..but what you bring to people like me who grew up with that on the TV is so meaningful to me I tell all.my family and friends like me have been to speedways since I was a kid. Bring it on man NASCAR and other events I'm with ya

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thanks for watching!!!!

[@Mike583]

Fantastic job as always Brian! Thank you for the wealth of information you give your readers! Being a Ford fan for 55 years now, I really enjoy episodes like these! I heard that the great Pete Robinson, had developed a gear drive in place of the 6' chain. Because of his untimely passing, I don't know if that had anything to do with the lack of development of the gear drive or not!

[@kpskingdom]

That was an awesome video Brian! Keep em coming!

[@williambarry8015]

Brian Lohnes and Slapshoes are freakin pro's. How NASCAR has not hired Slapshoes I'll never know.

[@brianlohnes3079]

That dude’s videos rule!

[@elducko1951]

This is a FANTASTC Video and history lesson. I love the Deep-Dive-Into-The-Subject format! You do fantastic work ! Thanks!

[@dawnmclees]

Brian it’s people like you that keeps drag racing growing year after year the future looks strong in this great sport.

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thank you!

[@archabaldstanton9918]

Ahh Yes...grab a cold one and enjoy drag racing history class ! 🍻

[@mattschmucker9406]

The man, the myth, the legend! Well done Brain, thanks!

[@JC-gw3yo]

Ford was smart to work with the best.. Connie an amazing man and competitor

[@wizardshome9686]

Another great video Brian I remember Kallita at Bakersfield in 1964 trying to borrow money to race and support his racing career - and won the race Copied from A Salute to the March Meet - 1964: Garlits came close to grabbing his first Bakersfield win but was turned away by wily Connie Kalitta in the final, 7.95 to 8.23. Top Gas again was "collected" by Collett. One of the pioneers of our great sport -

[@vk2aafhamradio]

What a great yarn, Brian! Thanks again for a well-researched ripper. 😃 👍

[@budd1814]

Nice job Brian. A feel good story about drag racing. Thanks

[@hotrodfeguy]

Great video love your work!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thank you!!

[@terrygarvin1392]

Another great show. Kallita was so consistent.

[@AntonHoward-mx9sb]

I live on the landing flight path for East Midlands airport in the UK. Being a bit of a nerd I have a flight tracker and got overly excited one day when a Kalitta air 747 flew in lol.

[@billenright2788]

Killer video. World Finals used to be here in Tulsa from 65-68.

[@timrayburn2461]

Outstanding work Brian

[@mgbchuck6527]

Awesome Brian, thanks again!

[@charliewhite1946]

great job Brian

[@stevennewman8276]

Look at the freakin headers at 19:20 on Popular Hot Rodding cover! Jeez!

[@BG-gr7fh]

Nice one!, good job Brian

[@user-ow9wf9in1e]

BRIAN YOU ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST DRAG RACE HISTORIAN...BAR NONE!!!

[@79tazman]

Connie is still into racing today he has his own team and still going strong he lost his only son Scott Kalitta in a bad accident back in 2008 in NJ when his funny car exploded at the shutdown and run to the end of the track hit the barrier flew into the air into the big camera and lost his life. I still remember that day I was not there but I was watching it live on TV and I could not believe it now only Doug Kalitta is around that is Connie's nephew and he just won a championship in 2023. I have been a big Kallita fan since a kid my old man and Connie are friends and have been since before I was even born.

[@jakespeed63]

Another awesome video!! Thanks for sharing So…I’ve lived in Orlando for almost 20 years..,am pretty tapped into the Hot Rod scene, but have never heard of a race track in Deland. Now I’m on a mission to find it.

[@brianlohnes3079]

It was the airport!

[@jakespeed63]

@@brianlohnes3079 found out my old timer Orlando Hot Rod buddy was at that event! How cool is that? Agreed it was cold 🥶 Showed me a picture of The Spirit of America land speed car parked there.

[@stevenpederson1645]

Another great story!

[@Spherz]

Babe wake up, The GOAT posted again!

[@frankdragottasfranktv7675]

Great video Brian

[@rockymeyers4030]

Brian, I always try to watch these videos. You have put loads of research in each one. Have you ever heard of Debby Lawler, the female Evil Knievel? From the little I have read, she is still around , and he feats make a heck of a story

[@eddiemay8211]

Met him when I was just a kid at brainerd dragstrip close to Chattanooga Tennessee

[@allareasindex7984]

Saw a Kalitta Air cargo jet at San Antonio airport a few weeks ago.

[@rollerdragon]

this is interesting... as i do, when i see a newer video by you, i'll go to your page to see if i missed any since i last watched... i have NOT missed an episode... not one!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thank you!

[@claytontaylor2800]

Connie would fly his plane into Connecticut for a fueler meet and stay at track owner Frank Maratta’s house in Weathersfield. In the morning Frank would drive Connie to nearby Brainerd Field, ho would hop in the plane and fly it to Connecticut Dragway, landing on the strip before racing started. The crew would have already arrived with the race car from wherever the last race date was held. The plane would be parked on the grass behind the timing tower for the day, and when the racing finished, Connie would fly it back home. I still have an Instamatic photo I took of the plane coming in for a landing.

[@johnvandeventer8668]

I never knew that NASCAR had a drag racing series

[@tomstiel7576]

Fun facts,,,,,when all the aircraft were grounded right after 9/11,,his planes were still flying because of his large contracts with the federal government,and he is the largest private owner of aircraft in the world

[@nitroamerica1024]

Good one Brian!

[@brianlohnes3079]

Thanks man!!

[@Merylstreep1949]

Amt or even Atlantis need to make a model kit of this

[@markgeary5897]

Great job Brian,can you do one on Beebe and Mulligan who set the ET record in 1969 with a 6.43 run which stood for a while I remember cheers from UK

[@brianwolgamot7076]

This could be a great script for a movie. Kinda something to have a tie-in to Ford V Ferrari and Snake & Mongoose.

[@vr6swp]

OK so....as far back as the mid 1960's people were expressing concerns about the sportsman racers getting squeezed out of the sport?

[@brianlohnes3079]

Hot Rod got letters from the 1955 Nationals saying that the sport was doomed for the little guy.

[@ThomasELeClair]

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Thanks Brian......You are one of the top three in NHRA ; the other two are , Alan Rhinehart and Joe Costello...................

[@geneva760]

CHEERS from AUSTRALIA

[@louislepage5111]

Not surprised that Wally Parks and Big Bill France disagreed on things 😊

[@brianlohnes3079]

The least surprising news in the whole piece!

[@thekingsilverado3266]

If I could only relive 1967 until 1989 I would stop there as far as racing it stopped in 1989 with NHRA. Dale E took Nascar into the future but he knew what was coming and ah retired.

[@dukecraig2402]

Well, since you've done him I guess Cha Cha's next, as it should be.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

25 48. 1963,, mentioning 'veteran' Don Garlits. I guess 60 years on he qualifies!

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

It’d be nice to build a blown nitro FED and run it for 4000 bucks wouldn’t it

[@cpoosch]

Remarkable that the hemi bearing sizes in the bottom end continue to be the jam far and wide and lately in the highest end of Duramax diesel performance.

[@eddiemay8211]

Also met bunny berket, she was a smoking gal, I was a teenager and you now young boys lol

[@georqedubyakush6066]

I know its inflation and it realistically hurt their wallets as much as it hurts mine today, but its crazy to think you could build a railcar and a 800+ carbed motor for less than 10k

[@georgeshelton6281]

The very first street racers. Can you believe it?

[@brianlohnes3079]

They were street racing before WWII.

[@scottmalpass4802]

😎💪🏁

[@qibble455]

10/10

[@benbecker6974]

That’s 60 dollars man!

[@n5ifi]

1959 NHRA NATIONALS DETROIT Rod Singer wins in a Ford MEL Powered Dragster

[@brianlohnes3079]

Which is not the Winternationals as referenced in the video.

[@n5ifi]

@@brianlohnes3079 I get it and I pointed out the first Ford National event win. Fair Enough? There are questionable quotes though. For one thing, the 427 Hemi Ford and Chrysler 426 had the same main bearing diameter. I don't think that's what was changed. The Ford had a larger rod diameter which meant bearing speeds were higher on the Ford Rod than the Chrysler 2.2 Rod Bearings. Most likely that's what was changed instead of the main. Another thing, the magazines were highly questionable in those times. East Coast had an agenda. West Coast had an agenda. West Coat Mags stuck with Wally Parks and the NHRA. I could go on for 2 hours. cheers

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

👍🏁🏁👍

[@p0intdk]

what car is that at 18:52?

[@user-ch3nv5uy3k]

0:06