Post-Qualifying Report Event 11: NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals

Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster

Q1: 4.490 sec. at 176.07 MPH
Q2: 3.767 sec. at 323.97 MPH
Q3: 4.071 sec. at 226.39 MPH
Q4: 3.888 sec. at 320.66 MPH

Bonus Points: 2 pts. (Second best of the second session)
Starting Position: 2nd
First Round Matchup: Kyle Wurtzel
Quotable: “My Mac Tools guys have really been on their game this weekend. We had an issue with our first qualifying pass and they found it quickly, and then went out and almost helped me get my first Bristol pole. We are excited to go racing in Thunder Valley tomorrow and see what we can make happen.”

J.R. Todd, driver of the SealMaster Top Fuel Dragster

Q1: 3.852 sec. at 315.64 MPH
Q2: 7.238 sec. at 88.49 MPH
Q3: 9.623 sec. at 92.78 MPH
Q4: 3.825 sec. at 319.60 MPH

Bonus Points: 2 pts. (Second best of the final session)
Starting Position: 9th

First Round Matchup: Tony Schumacher

Quotable: “Very nice way to end the qualifying portion of our weekend. Unfortunately, the SealMaster team did not have a good run in the session that ended up setting the field, so we are lower in the order than we would have liked. However, after that pass, I am confident in our chances.”

Del Worsham, driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car

Q1: No Time, Timing Malfunction
Q2: 3.888 sec. at 329.42 MPH
Q3: 3.998 sec. at 314.68 MPH
Q4: 5.976 sec. at 118.27 MPH

Bonus Points: 5 pts. (Second best in the second session, best in the third session)
Starting Position: 2nd

First Round Matchup: John Hale

Quotable: “Great to run those numbers today in the conditions that we are going to see tomorrow. The DHL Toyota is running strong. We have Andy and Shaggy here this weekend from Toyota and they said we could run a 3.98 and it ran pretty darn close. This team is running really well and that gives me a ton of confidence going into raceday.”

Notes: Worsham’s 329.42 MPH from his second qualifying pass reset the Bristol Dragway Funny Car track record.

#NHRAonFOX Telecast information:
6/19 Race (FS1) – 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm (ET)

All times are EST.

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 Champion, 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.