KALITTA MOTORSPORTS
2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
Event 15 of 24
FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, Calif.
July 25-27, 2008
Media Contact: Todd Myers
tmyers@kalittaracing.com
Dave Grubnic and the DHL team determined to deliver drought-busting win in Sonoma
SONOMA, Calif., (July 23, 2008) – Native Australian Dave Grubnic, driver of the bright yellow, 8,000-horsepower DHL Top Fuel dragster, is hopeful that his visit to Northern California this weekend, July 25-27, will see an end to his 57-event streak without a victory as he and the rest of the competitors of the NHRA POWERade Drag racing Series compete at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., in the annual running of the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals in Sonoma, Calif.
Grubnic’s most recent visit to the winner’s circle was in Gainesville, Fla., in 2006. His most recent trip to the final round was during the second event of the 2008 POWERade Drag Racing Series in Phoenix.
Grubnic posted a runner-up finish in the Sonoma Valley in 2004 when he was defeated by his teammate Doug Kalitta in the final round. He also took home runner-up honors in Sonoma in 2001.
“Well, it’s been a while since we got a win, but our car DHL car is still one of the best cars on the tour,” Grubnic, a 45-year old resident of Ennis, Mont., said. “NHRA drag racing is ultra-competitive, especially in the Top Fuel class. I have all the confidence in Connie (Kalitta, team owner and crew chief) and everyone on our DHL team that we’ll get another win very soon, hopefully in Sonoma this time.”
Grubnic’s next elimination-round win will be the 150th of his 14-year Top Fuel career.
Grubnic is currently in 9th place in POWERade championship points.
Beginning with the 13th event in Denver, the NHRA instituted a new racing distance for the nitro-fueled classes of Funny Car and Top Fuel dragster to 1,000 ft., as opposed to the traditional distance of 1,320 ft., or a quarter of a mile, as a temporary safety solution to help the drivers of the world’s quickest and fastest racing safely bring their cars to a stop more efficiently. The unprecedented action is in response to the tragic death of Kalitta Motorsports’ Scott Kalitta, who died in a high-speed Funny Car qualifying accident in Englishtown, N.J., June 21.
Grubnic, unofficially, recorded the quickest 1,000-ft. elapsed time of the 2008 season, 3.783 sec., in Madison, Ill., in early May.
In early 2004, Grubnic was hired to drive for legendary team owner Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta and Kalitta Motorsports. In the fall of ‘04, Grubnic won the lucrative and coveted Budweiser Shootout in Las Vegas, becoming only the fourth driver in the special event's history to win its $100,000 prize in his first attempt. Grubnic picked up an emotional first NHRA national event win in May, 2005 in Topeka, Kans., to become the first non-native North American to win a Top Fuel trophy.
The FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals begins Friday for the nitro-fueled classes with two qualifying sessions at 4:00 p.m. (PT) and 7:15 p.m. Two more qualifying opportunities take place Saturday at noon and 3:00 p.m. The top sixteen qualified cars will race Sunday in final eliminations beginning at 11:00 a.m.
All times and dates subject to change.
The FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals is the 15th event of the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
About Kalitta Motorsports
Based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) POWERade Drag Racing Series. The racing operation was started in 1959 by now legendary drag racer and team owner Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta. Connie’s nephew, Doug Kalitta drives the flagship Top Fuel dragster for Mac Tools. Native Australian Dave Grubnic drives the DHL Top Fuel dragster, and Hillary Will drives the Ken Black-owned and Kalitta Motorsports-managed Top Fuel dragster.
Connie serves as head tuner for all Team Kalitta entries. He is assisted by crew chiefs Jim Oberhofer (KB Racing, LLC dragster), Jon Oberhofer (Mac Tools dragster co-crew chief), and Richard Hogan (Mac Tools dragster co-crew chief). Connie serves as crew chief on the DHL dragster with assistance from co-crew chief James Riola.
Associate sponsors on all Kalitta Motorsports’ race cars include Mac Tools, Red Line Oil, Summit Racing Equipment, Technicoat Companies, K2M, and Toyota.