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EPPING, NH – (June 10, 2015) – Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster, plans on adding an Epping trophy to his mantle this weekend after measurable success during the first two NHRA events at New England Dragway.
The inaugural number one qualifier in the Top Fuel class, Kalitta has an average starting position of 1.5 at New England Dragway, while being the only top fuel driver to earn semi-final finishes or better in both races. However, with all that success, Kalitta has yet to claim his own New England Nationals trophy.
“We have done well in Epping,” said Kalitta, “but just not well enough. We plan on making the third time the charm and driving this Mac Tools dragster into the winner’s circle.”
Last weekend in Englishtown, Jim Oberhofer, crew chief, tuned Kalitta to six consistent passes straight down the track. In addition, Kalitta was on point when it comes to reaction time defeating Steve Torrence on a hole-shot in the first round.
Top Fuel is not the only class that Kalitta Motorsports has experienced success. Alexis DeJoria, driver of the Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car, earned her first Epping final round appearance in just her second start at New England Dragway last season.
Starting among the top five qualifiers, DeJoria defeated Tommy Johnson Jr. and former world champions Tony Pedregon and John Force, before coming up just short against Ron Capps.
DeJoria comes into Epping on a hot streak. She earned her first final round appearance last weekend in Englishtown, and moved to eighth in the point standings.
DeJoria’s teammate, Del Worsham, driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car, might be her biggest competition on Sunday.
Worsham continues to have a very consistent race car, and is a threat to win every weekend. He enters Epping coming off of back-to-back semi-final finishes. In Englishtown, he was the best car on Saturday. Worsham earned three bonus points in the final session by laying down a 4.03 second pass in the New Jersey heat.
Worsham has earned round wins in both of his starts in Epping, and continues to rank as the best nitro driver in the point standings without a win. With his Englishtown result, Worsham moved to third overall.
“I really want to get this DHL Camry team a win,” said Worsham. “We are working really hard, and have been so close, so many times this season, it is bound to happen soon.”
The final member of the Team Kalitta quartet, J.R. Todd, driver of the Kalitta Air Top Fuel dragster, is one of ten drivers to have competed in every Epping event.
Last season, in his first start for Kalitta Motorsports, Todd earned a top five starting position and a first round victory over Bob Vandergriff.
Todd is coming off a great qualifying effort in Englishtown. The Kalitta Air team earned eight bonus points during qualifying, which was best among nitro drivers. In the first round of the Toyota Summernationals, Todd was pulling away from Terry McMillen before a small puff of smoke right before the finish line allowed McMillen to sneak by.
“Epping is a good track surface, and usually produces fast times,” said Todd. “We need to turn our qualifying results into race day results, and Epping is a great place to start.”
Todd, who sits just two rounds from 100 for his career, is in ninth place in the point standings.
Fans can meet Kalitta Motorsports drivers throughout the weekend at the Team Kalitta merchandise trailer.
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.