Doug Kalitta wins Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (April 26, 2015) – Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster, picked up his first win of the season today at Houston Raceway Park. Kalitta defeated Tony Schumacher in the final round to earn his 36th career win.

Kalitta qualified fourth and defeated Troy Buff and Larry Dixon in the first two rounds. Kalitta’s semi-final opponent was Spencer Massey. A warm tricky track meant both Massey and Kalitta went up in smoke. The driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster did a masterful job driving the machine to move to the finals.

He would face Tony Schumacher. Live television meant quick turn around times, but the Mac Tools team was up to the challenge. The entire Kalitta Motorsports family was on the line to watch the Mac Tools group. Schumacher took a chance on the tree, but was not able to defeat Jim Oberhofer’s tune-up as Kalitta’s 3.82 second run was able to defeat Schumacher’s 4.019 effort.

Kalitta moved past Don Garlits for sixth all-time and earned a spot in the coveted Traxxas Shootout.

“Jim Oberhofer and Troy Fasching made great calls,” said Kalitta. “I was looking for the win light and when I saw it that was all that matterred. Thrilled to pick up the victory for the Mac Tools group.”

Doug Kalitta – Driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster:

No. 4 Qualifier (3.760 sec., 324.12 mph)

E1: Kalitta defeated Buff – 3.732 sec., 325.77 mph to 3.844 sec., 313.88 mph

E2: Kalitta defeated Dixon – 3.751 sec., 323.50 mph to 3.788 sec., 316.97 mph

E3: Kalitta defeated Massey – 4.177 sec., 256.75 mph to 5.484 sec., 105.38 mph

E4: Kalitta defeated Schumacher – 3.820 sec., 324.98 mph to 4.014 sec., 225.60 mph

Konnekt with Kalitta Motorsports:

For more info about Kalitta Motorsports including exclusive content such as videos, photos and more, please visit #KalittaStrong online –

Website: www.teamkalitta.com
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About Kalitta Motorsports:

Based in Ypsilanti, Mich., Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The team was founded and is owned by drag racing icon Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta. For more than 50 years, Connie has been involved in the sport as a driver, tuner, and an owner. Kalitta Motorsports is one of the most successful teams in the history of auto racing with five world championships and over 50 national event titles in five different professional drag racing sanctioning bodies since it was established by Connie in 1959.

Del Worsham drives the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car for Team Kalitta. Alexis DeJoria pilots the Tequila Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car. J.R. Todd drives the Red Line Oil/Kalitta Air Top Fuel dragster while Connie’s nephew, Doug Kalitta, pilots the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster. Connie serves as head tuner for all Team Kalitta entries. He is assisted by co-crew chiefs Jon Oberhofer and Nick Boninfante on the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car, by Tommy DeLago and Glen Huszar on the Tequila Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car, and by Jim Oberhofer on the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster. Connie serves as crew chief on the Red Line Oil/ Kalitta Air Top Fuel dragster.

Associate sponsors on Kalitta Motorsports’ race cars include Justice Brothers, Patrón XO Café Incendio, Phoenix Fuel Converter, Red Line Oil, SealMaster, Summit Racing Equipment, Technicoat Companies, TMS Titanium, Toyota and Ziebart.