Kalitta Looks to End Western Swing with Slew of Seattle Congratulations

SEATTLE, Wash., (Aug. 1, 2013) – Doug Kalitta, driver of the 10,000-horsepower “Big Red” Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster for Kalitta Motorsports, has been feared by opponents all season in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The Mac Tools Top Fueler has been a dominant force in the world’s quickest and fastest racing class all year, and Kalitta sees no reason that won’t continue this weekend during the NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways in Seattle, Wash., the final event of the NHRA’s three-events-in-three-weekends, arduous “Western Swing”.

“Our Mac Tools dragster has been one of the best in 2013, no doubt,” Kalitta, a 48-year old resident of Ann Arbor, Mich., said. “Unfortunately we haven’t been quite able to parlay our performance into a win so far. It’s coming. I’m confident it will happen very soon and so is our team. The competition in Top Fuel this season is incredible, so we’re happy to have had the success we’ve had, but we want a trophy. Hopefully we will take a Wally home with us after Seattle.”

Kalitta has recorded two runner-up finishes in Seattle (1999, 2000). He was the No. 1 qualifier at Pacific Raceways in 2010. 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 fourth 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 Northwest Nationals begin Friday for Team Kalitta and all the Nitro-powered pros with two qualifying sessions at 3:15 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (PT). Two more qualifying sessions follow on Saturday at 1:00 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:

8/3 – Qualifying

   10:00 PM-12:00 AM (ET)

8/4 – Finals

   7:00 PM-10:00 PM (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.