Pre-Race Report Event 14: Mile High Nationals Bandimere Speedway Morrison, Colo. July 22-24

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81f5a482-533d-4ae9-932b-b306d3ab0fed.jpgKalitta desires to retake points pinnacle on the mountain

Denver Highlights: One win (2010); Four finals (2009, 2003, 2001, 1999)

2015 Denver Event Recap: Qualified fifth; First round defeat (lost to Richie Crampton in the first round)

Previous Event Recap (Chicago): Qualified third, Track Record MPH (330.55); Quarter-Final finish (defeated Kyle Wurtzel in the first round, defeated by Tony Schumacher in the second round.)

Quotable: “The Mac Tools team is ready to be back on track. The last event did not have the result that we would have liked, so we are looking for a rebound in Denver. Bandimere Speedway has been a great track for Team Kalitta, and I hope it is that way this weekend.”

Career Stats: 423 starts, 573 round wins (11th all-time), 41 wins (Fourth all-time in Top Fuel), 85 finals, 46 no.1 qualifiers (13th all-time)

2016 Season Stats: Three wins (Houston, Atlanta, Topeka); Three poles (Phoenix, Atlanta, Norwalk), One final (Pomona), 28 round wins

Point Standings: Second (-2); trails first-place Antron Brown by 2 points, leads third-place Steve Torrence by 142 points

Noteworthy: leads Top Fuel class in semi-final or better finishes (nine); has won his first round pairing in 12 of 13 events this season; Kalitta has set four track records in the past five 2016 events; one of three Kalittas’ to win at Bandimere Speedway (Connie, 1984 and 1985; Scott, 1994, 1995 and 2005)

Ten years after his first, Todd looks for another Denver crown2198c8cd-d1e9-4a18-afd9-c401e2481f6a.jpg

Denver Highlights: Two wins (2006, 2014); tied for the most Top Fuel wins among active drivers (Antron Brown, Tony Schumacher)

2015 Denver Event Recap: Qualified ninth; Quarter-Final finish (defeated Antron Brown in the first round, lost to Larry Dixon in the second round)

Previous Event Recap (Chicago): Qualified seventh; Finalist (defeated T.J. Zizzo in the first round, Steve Torrence in the second round, Tony Schumacher in the semi-finals, lost to Antron Brown in the finals)

Quotable: “We have been really pleased with our performance the last couple races. The SealMaster team has really been knocking out good runs consistently and that is important as we close the regular season. Denver has been a great place for me personally and for the team, and I would love to finally get that first win of the season at Bandimere Speedway.”

Career Stats: 137 starts, 128 round wins, 8 wins, 16 finals, 8 no.1 qualifiers

2016 Season Stats: Three finals (Atlanta, Norwalk, Chicago); Two semi-finals (Pomona, Las Vegas); 16 round wins

Point Standings: Seventh (-331); trails sixth-place Shawn Langdon by 21 points, leads eighth-place Clay Millican by 122 points

Noteworthy: coming off consecutive final round appearances (Chicago and Denver) for the first time of his career; celebrating ten year anniversary of first win (Denver, 2006); has won event twice in five attempts

f5387e26-d415-4a82-92c2-873d3f8a5609.jpgWorsham plans to start Western Swing strong

Denver Highlights: One win (2002)

2015 Denver Event Recap: Qualified 11th; First round defeat (lost to Matt Hagan in the first round)

Previous Event Recap (Chicago): Qualified tenth; First round defeat (lost to Courtney Force in the first round)

Quotable: “To say Chicago did not go our way would be an understatement. However, we know we have a great car and Denver is always an exciting place to race. The fans are awesome and it is a race many drivers look forward to every year. I am excited to be back on track in the DHL Toyota Camry and look forward to competing for the trophy this weekend.”

Career Stats: 496 starts, 538 round wins, 38 wins (30 in Funny Car, 8 in Top Fuel), 63 finals (52 in Funny Car, 11 in Top Fuel), 18 no.1 qualifiers (11 in Funny Car, 7 in Top Fuel)

2016 Season Stats: Two finals (Pomona, Las Vegas); Two semi-finals (Epping, Englishtown); One pole (Norwalk); 16 round wins

Point Standings: Seventh (-272); trails sixth-place Robert Hight by three points, leads eighth-place Tim Wilkerson by 36 points

Noteworthy: 2015 Funny Car Champion, 2011 Top Fuel Champion; one of three drivers with championships in both nitro classes; second in the Funny Car class with 10 first round wins this season.

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, Racing Electronics, Red Line Oil, SealMaster, Summit Racing Equipment, Technicoat Companies, Tequila Patrón, TMS Titanium, Toyota and Ziebart.