Kalitta Hoping for Early Birthday Gift with First Win of Season in Brainerd

BRAINERD, Minn., (Aug. 15, 2013) – Doug Kalitta, driver of the 10,000-horsepower “Big Red” Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster for Kalitta Motorsports, will celebrate his birthday Aug. 20, but blowing out candles on a cake is the furthest thing from the wily veterans mind as he and his Mac Tools team roll into Brainerd, Minn., this weekend for the annual running of the NHRA Nationals at Brainerd Int’l Raceway.

“It’s really just another day, but I’ll be happy to celebrate it with my family next week,” Kalitta, a 48-year old resident of Ann Arbor, Mich., said. “Right now all that’s on my mind is getting a trophy in Brainerd. We’ve had some success with our Mac Tools dragster at BIR in the past, so I’m hoping we can relive some of that this weekend in the winner’s circle. Yeah, getting a Wally for my birthday would be a really great gift.”

Kalitta has a great track record in Brainerd. He won the event at BIR in 2005 and in 2003. He was the runner-up finisher in 2000. He has been the No. 1 qualifier in the Land of 10,000 Lakes three times (2010, 2004 and 2002).

So far in the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, Kalitta has raced to three semi-final finishes and one runner-up (Norwalk, Ohio). He has been No. 1 qualifier entering eliminations on five occasions this season. Kalitta is currently in fifth place in Mello Yello Top Fuel championship points.

Kalitta has amassed 32 NHRA Top Fuel title trophies in 66 final-round appearances. He has finished in the top ten in Mello Yello championship points in every season of his 16-year straight-line career. He was also the 1994 USAC National Sprint Car champion. Kalitta is the owner and president of Kalitta Charters and Kalitta Charters II, airlines specializing in passenger charter flights and freight transportation respectively.

Follow Doug Kalitta:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Air_Doug, www.twitter.com/TeamKalitta

Event Schedule:

The NHRA Nationals begin Friday for Team Kalitta and all the Nitro-powered pros with two qualifying sessions at 3:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (CT). Two more qualifying sessions follow on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The top 16 qualified cars in each Nitro class will race Sunday in final eliminations beginning at 11:00 a.m.
              
Times and dates subject to change.

ESPN2 TV Schedule:
 
8/17 – Qualifying
   11:00 PM-1:00 AM (ET)
8/18 – Finals
   9:00 PM-12:00 AM (ET)

Times and dates subject to change.

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) Full Throttle 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 Toyota Camry Funny Car. David Grubnic drives the OPTIMA Batteries/Advance Auto Parts 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 Toyota Camry Funny Car,  and by Jim Oberhofer on the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster. Connie serves as crew chief on the Optima Batteries Top Fuel dragster.

Associate sponsors on Kalitta Motorsports’ race cars include Candlewood Suites, Red Line Oil, Technicoat and JEGS.

For more info about Kalitta Motorsports including exclusive content such as videos, photos and more, please visit www.teamkalitta.com. Follow Us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TeamKalitta. Like Us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/KalittaMotorsports. Check out videos about Team Kalitta on our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/TeamKalitta. Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/teamkalitta.