Team Kalitta Prepped for Phoenix Hoping to Build on Success from Season Opener

CHANDLER, Ariz., (Feb. 19, 2014) – The four-car, nitro racing assault of Kalitta Motorsports returns to action this weekend in Phoenix after a wildly successful start to the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series at the Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. two weeks ago. Team Kalitta hopes to keep that winning momentum rolling at the 30th annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Ariz., just a few miles east of downtown Phoenix.

Doug Kalitta, driver of the “Big Red” Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster, grabbed the No. 1 qualifier spot (3.713 seconds, 328.86 mph) for the 37th time in his Top Fuel career in Pomona. His career-best elapsed time set the track record and made NHRA history as the third quickest run in NHRA’s 1,000-ft. era. He reset the Pomona track speed record with an astonishing 330.15-mph mark in the second round en route to a runner-up finish in the season opener.

Kalitta currently also owns the track record for elapsed time (3.733 sec.) in Phoenix. He was the No. 1 qualifier in the desert last year with that mark. He claimed the No. 1 qualifying spot at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park (formerly Firebird Raceway) in 2003 as well. Kalitta’s success in Phoenix expands to taking the Top Fuel title trophy in 2001 and runner-up finishes in 2010 and 2004.

Del Worsham, driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car, raced to the semifinals in Pomona, the 72nd such showing of his career. He and the DHL “Yella Fellas” team have been to the semifinals in three of the last five events (dating back to St. Louis in 2013).

Like his teammate, Worsham has also seen success racing in the Grand Canyon State. He “hoisted the hardware” by winning the Phoenix event in 2004 and 2002.

After piloting her purple, gold, and matte-black Patrón XO Cafe Toyota Camry Funny Car to an impressive 3.997-second pass in Pomona qualifying, Alexis DeJoria became the first woman and ninth Funny Car driver to join the coveted ‘three second run club.’ “That was a huge accomplishment for our team,” said DeJoria, a third-year Funny Car driver. “We made some serious headway running under four seconds, and we’re hoping to build upon that momentum and carry it into Phoenix this weekend.”

Native Australian David Grubnic, driver of the Optima Batteries Top Fuel dragster, is also charged up to go racing again this weekend.  He and the Optima Batteries team made a quarter-final appearance in Pomona and are looking for more in Phoenix. “Grubby”, as he is affectionately known, raced to a runner-up finish in Phoenix in 2008. He was the No. 1 qualifier for the event in 2004.

Team patriarch and drag racing icon Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta will be celebrating an early birthday at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park this weekend. The former driver, current team owner and crew chief (Optima Batteries Top Fuel dragster) will turn 76 on Monday, Feb. 24.

 Event Schedule:

The 30th annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals begin Friday for Team Kalitta and the nitro-powered pros. Two qualifying sessions at 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. (PT) will take place both Friday and Saturday. The top 16 qualified cars in both Top Fuel and Funny Car will race Sunday in eliminations beginning at 11:00 a.m. 

Times and dates subject to change.

ESPN2 TV Schedule:

• 02/23 Qualifying 2:00 AM – 3:30 AM (ET)/11:00 PM – 12:30 AM (PT)
• 02/23 Qualifying Re-air 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM/5:00 AM – 6:00 AM
• 02/23 Eliminations 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM/5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Times and dates subject to change.

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) Full Throttle 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 Patrón XO Café Toyota Camry Funny Car. Native Australian David Grubnic drives the OPTIMA Batteries/Advance Auto Parts 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 Patrón XO Café Toyota Camry Funny Car,  and by Jim Oberhofer on the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster. Connie serves as crew chief on the OPTIMA Batteries/Advance Auto Parts Top Fuel dragster.

Associate sponsors on Kalitta Motorsports’ race cars include Mac Tools, Patrón XO Café, Red Line Oil, Technicoat and Summit Racing Equipment.

For more info about Kalitta Motorsports including exclusive content such as videos, photos and more, please visit www.teamkalitta.com. Follow Us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TeamKalitta. Like Us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/KalittaMotorsports. Check out videos about Team Kalitta on our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/TeamKalitta. Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/TeamKalitta.