Kalitta Motorsports looks to expand record at Heartland Park Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 20, 2015) – Kalitta Motorsports has made the drive to Topeka for this weekend’s 27th annual NHRA Kansas Nationals. Historically, Heartland Park Topeka is Team Kalitta’s best track. Kalitta Motorsports owns 10 Top Fuel wins in Topeka, which is best among the class, including six earned by the late Scott Kalitta.

Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster, earned one of his 36 career wins at the NHRA Kansas Nationals in 2006. One of just three drivers to earn top-half starting positions in every race this season, the 2005 Topeka no.1 qualifier earned yet another round win in Atlanta this past weekend to hit 525 for his career.

Kalitta has three other final round appearances and comes into Kansas after picking up one spot in the point standings to sit fourth after seven races.

“Heartland Park Topeka has had several highlights for Team Kalitta thought the years,” said Kalitta. “The Mac Tools team looks to make new memories this weekend.”

Local fans can see a feature on Kalitta in this week’s Topeka Capital-Journal.

J.R. Todd, driver of the Kalitta Air Top Fuel dragster, looks to add his name to the list of Kalitta Motorsports victors this weekend at Heartland Park Topeka. Todd has reached the final round once prior in 2007, where he was defeated by friend Brandon Bernstein in the final round.

Atlanta started well for the Kalitta Air team as Connie Kalitta tuned Todd to two bonus points in the first qualifying session and a quarter-final finish that grew Todd’s lead over 11th position in the point standings to nearly three rounds. With his Atlanta round win, Todd moves within just three for the century mark for his career.

Heartland Park Topeka was kind to Todd last season as he earned the second starting position and advanced to the semi-finals.

“We ran really well here last year,” said Todd. “The Kalitta Air team is looking to pick up that same performance this time.”

Todd can be heard across several Kansas area radio stations this week as a preview for the Kansas Nationals.

Del Worsham, driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car, has had a successful multi-decade career. However, the 2011 Top Fuel World Champion has not been able to add a “Wally” from Heartland Park Topeka to his more than 30 career wins.

Both of his starts at Heartland Park Topeka for Kalitta Motorsports have resulted in top half starts. His first effort resulted in a quarter-final finish as he was able to defeat Chad Head in round one.
“I have never won there so it would be awesome to add that to my other wins,” said Worsham. “The DHL team learned some things in the heat in Atlanta and we’re looking forward to our first back-to-back race of the season.”

Fans can meet Del Worsham in Kansas. He will be signing autographs in the Alexis DeJoria/Kalitta Motorsports autograph trailer on Friday.

Alexis DeJoria, driver of the Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car, heads to Kansas for the fourth time in her young career, looking to pick up her elusive first round win in Topeka. She earned her best qualifying effort last season as she lined up among the top five going into raceday.

Atlanta featured another top half starting position for DeJoria and team, while she maintained her top ten points position she has held since the second race of the season.

DeJoria will be signing autographs in the merchandise trailer on both Friday and Saturday.

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
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeamKalitta
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/TeamKalitta
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/TeamKalitta
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/TeamKalitta

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 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 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.