K2M, Inc. Partners with Kalitta Motorsports for 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
YPSILANTI, Mich., (Feb. 26, 2008) – World renowned spinal technology company K2M, Inc. announced today a new partnership as an associate sponsor on all four of the nitro-fueled, 7,000-horsepower race cars that comprise Kalitta Motorsports, a legendary professional drag racing team founded and owned by drag racing icon Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta and based in Ypsilanti, Mich., just minutes from the Detroit city limits.
Kalitta Motorsports fields entries for Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster, Scott Kalitta, driver of the DHL Funny Car, Dave Grubnic, driver of the Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel dragster, and Hillary Will, driver of the KB Racing, LLC Top Fuel dragster in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series that traverses the United States for 24 national events between February and November.
“K2M is very excited about our involvement with Kalitta Motorsports,” stated Vice President of the Complex Spine Unit, Mike Parkman. “We feel that the professionalism, teamwork, and attention to detail that they exhibit, along with the high-performance demands of the nitro cars showcased on the NHRA POWERade tour, parallel the daily procedures of an operating room. We consider this an excellent training platform as part of K2M’s commitment to provide our industry with highly trained professional teams and state-of-the-art spinal products.”
“We are proud to add a company like K2M to our Kalitta Motorsports family,” Rachel Brunner, Kalitta Motorsports team manager, said. “What this company does for innovation in the medical industry is truly amazing. Our racing environment has proven to be a perfect platform for training the benefits of their spinal products while also getting a little dose of nitro. We look forward to building a lasting relationship with our new great partners.”
K2M decals are now visible on each Kalitta Motorsports 325+ mph race car.
About Kalitta Motorsports
Based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car 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. His son, Scott Kalitta, drives the DHL Funny Car. Scott’s cousin, Connie’s nephew, Doug Kalitta drives the flagship Top Fuel dragster for Mac Tools. Native Australian Dave Grubnic drives the Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel dragster, while 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 (Hillary Will-driven dragster) and Jon Oberhofer (Mac Tools dragster). Connie serves as crew chief on the DHL Funny Car with assistance from co-crew chief Glenn Mikres and as the crew chief on the Kalitta Motorsports dragster with assistance from co-crew chief James Riola.
Associate sponsors on all Kalitta Motorsports’ race cars include Red Line Oil, Summit Racing Equipment, Technicoat Companies, and K2M.
About KB Racing, LLC
KB Racing, LLC is owned by Las Vegas businessmen Ken Black and his son Kenny Black. In the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, KB Racing, LLC fields two Summit Racing Equipment Pro Stock entries, one driven by Greg Anderson and the other by Jason Line, and a Top Fuel dragster, managed by Kalitta Motorsports and driven by Hillary Will.