Kalitta claims provisional pole in Charlotte

DougKalitta

DougKalitta

(CHARLOTTE) – Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster, claimed the provisional pole for the Carolina Nationals held at zMax Dragway in Charlotte earlier today.

The second seed in the Countdown for the Championship was stellar through both qualifying passes. His 3.786 second elapsed time in the first qualifying round placed him third overall heading into the lone evening session of the weekend.

The second-to-last machine to see the track, the Mac Tools team was prepared. With a target of 3.729 seconds ahead of them, Kalitta eclipsed that run in his Mac Tools Toyota, reaching the finish line in 3.721 seconds at 325.77 mph. One machine followed but could not defeat Kalitta and his Jim Oberhofer-tuned Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster.

“That was exactly what we were looking to do,” said Kalitta. “It was exciting to wait down there and then be able to hold on to it. Very proud of the work that Jim O, Troy and the team have put into this Mac Tools Toyota. This is exactly the start we were looking for going into this Countdown.”

Kalitta earned a total of four bonus points on the day. If his run holds through the two qualifying passes tomorrow, he will earn his first zMax Dragway no.1 qualifier of his career. zMax Dragway is one of only two tracks that Kalitta has yet to claim a no.1 qualifier. It would be his fourth pole position of the season following early season no.1 qualifier wins in Phoenix, Atlanta and Norwalk.

PR Contact:

(Kalitta Motorsports)
Cody Poor
cody@kalittaracing.com

Photo is courtesy of Gary Nastase.

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 six world championships and over 100 national event titles in five different professional drag racing sanctioning bodies since it was established by Connie in 1959.

Team Kalitta is the home of the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Funny Car World Champions, Del Worsham. He drives the DHL/Mello Yello Toyota Camry Funny Car. Alexis DeJoria pilots the Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry Funny Car. J.R. Todd drives the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster while Connie’s nephew, Doug Kalitta, pilots the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster. Kalitta Motorsports also manages the McLeod Racing Toyota Camry Funny Car driven by Paul Lee. 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/Mello Yello Toyota Camry Funny Car, Tommy DeLago and Glen Huszar on the Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry Funny Car, Todd Smith on the McLeod Racing Toyota Camry Funny Car, Rob Flynn on the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster and Jim Oberhofer on the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster.

Associate sponsors on Kalitta Motorsports’ race cars include ARP, AutoDesk CAM, Champion, Cogistics, Darton Sleeves, DHL, Justice Brothers, Kalitta Air, Mac Tools, Optima Batteries, Phoenix Fuel Converter, Racing Electronics, Red Line Oil, SealMaster, Summit Racing Equipment, Technicoat Companies, Tequila Patrón, TMS Titanium, Toyota and Ziebart.