Doug Kalitta, Robert Hight take top titles at NHRA Gatornationals

Top-fuel drag racer Doug Kalitta earns the provisional No. 1 qualifying position during NHRA competition last month at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Ariz.

By Associated Press

March 16, 2014 2:05 PM PT

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Doug Kalitta and Robert Hight won the top two divisions at the NHRA Gatornationals.

Kalitta beat former series champion Antron Brown in the Top Fuel division Sunday, and Hight topped his boss, 16-time champion John Force, in the Funny Car division.

Brown was looking to defend his title at Auto Plus Raceway in Gainesville. Force was trying to become the fifth driver in Funny Car history to win as the No. 16 qualifier.

Force opened the day by upsetting top qualifier Cruz Pedregon, then knocked off Del Worsham and daughter Cortney Force to reach his second final in three events this year. That set up an all-Force final, with the team owner facing off against team president Hight, who is married to one of Force’s four daughters, Ashley.

Force smoked his tires early, helping Hight to an easy victory.

Allen Johnson won the Pro Stock division, and Steve Johnson won Pro Stock Motorcycle.