Kalitta, Worsham both claim the top spots after day one of the Summit Racing Nationals

NORWALK, Ohio (June 24, 2016) – Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster, and Del Worsham, driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car, claimed the preliminary no.1 qualifying spots after the first day of qualifying for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk Ohio.

If the times hold till tomorrow, this would be the first all-Team Kalitta pole sweep since 2014 at a place that Kalitta Motorsports calls home.

Doug Kalitta started his mission for a Norwalk repeat very strongly. His 3.777 was the third-best pass of the first session, and his 325 MPH speed was class-best.

That allowed Kalitta to be the last driver to see the quick Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park surface. Jim Oberhofer loaded the Mac Tools machine up on mean, and it delivered a track record 3.719 second run. His 327.51 MPH was also the best of the Top Fuel class.

“The Mac Tools Toyota team is very proud of that run,” said Kalitta. “It left hard. It was just one of those Friday night runs that you dream about having. The Mac Tools dragster was pulling and running strong and it made it to the finish line. Very proud of Jim, Troy and all of the Mac Tools guys. We get a lot of support from our Kalitta family at this track. They are rooting us on. It paid off for us last year, and we definitely are looking for the repeat.”

This would be Kalitta’s 46th career no.1 qualifier. It would be his second straight in Norwalk and his third this season.

Worsham was solid in the first session to give tuners Jon Oberhofer and Nicky Boninfante a very solid baseline to go into the evening session. His 3.959 elapsed time slotted him amongst the top five of the round.

However, the DHL team saved the best for last. With two pairs of Funny Cars behind them, the DHL Toyota Camry came to the line and unloaded a beast of a run that would not be touched. Worsham reset his career-best lap with the 3.875 second pass, which also claimed the Norwalk track record. Worsham also reigned in the MPH category, recording a 328.70 MPH run.

“It is the best run DHL Toyota Camry team and I have ever made,” said Worsham. “It is a great, great run. We have been really good in qualifying the past couple years here in Norwalk, but haven’t got a win. I would like nothing more than to come out here on Sunday and get our first win of the year. It is awesome that we are so close to Kalitta Motorsports home and to claim the top spot with my teammate, Doug. This place means a lot to the Kalitta family and we love to run well here.”

If the run holds, it will be his 18th career Funny Car no.1 qualifier and second in three seasons at Summit Motorsports Park. The final two qualifying passes take place at 1:15pm and 4:00pm tomorrow.

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 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 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. 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, Tommy DeLago and Glen Huszar on the Tequila Patrón 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, Red Line Oil, SealMaster, Summit Racing Equipment, Technicoat Companies, Tequila Patrón, TMS Titanium, Toyota and Ziebart.