Team Kalitta Qualifying Recap – AAA Fall Nationals – Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 31, 2015) – Kalitta Motorsports, the nitro-fueled, four-car NHRA drag racing team based in Ypsilanti, Mich., has completed qualifying for the Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Results and quotes follow.
Del Worsham – Driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car:

Q1: 3.999 sec., 322.19 mph
Q2: 4.044 sec., 256.21 mph
Q3: 3.969 sec., 321.73 mph (Three bonus points for the best run of the session.)
Q4: 3.969 sec., 325.92 mph
No. 6 Qualifier

Alexis DeJoria – Driver of the Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car:

Q1: 4.025 sec., 318.84 mph
Q2: 3.984 sec., 318.22 mph
Q3: 3.984 sec., 318.69 mph (Two bonus points for the second best run of the session.)
Q4: 11.604 sec., 83.44 mph
No. 8 Qualifier

J.R. Todd  – Driver of the Optima Batteries Top Fuel Dragster:

Q1: 4.784 sec., 151.97 mph
Q2: 7.281 sec., 88.34 mph
Q3: 3.770 sec., 327.51 mph (Three bonus points for the best run of the session.)
Q4: 5.160 sec., 138.68 mph
No. 7 Qualifier

Doug Kalitta – Driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster:

Q1: 3.940 sec., 309.91 mph
Q2: 7.087 sec., 96.39 mph
Q3: 3.890 sec., 318.09 mph
Q4: 3.839 sec., 315.49 mph
No. 13 Qualifier

First Round Competition:



6) Del Worsham v. 11) Matt Hagan
9) Alexis DeJoria v. 8) John Force
7) J.R. Todd v. 10) Tony Schumacher
13) Doug Kalitta v. 4) Steve Torrence

Quotables:
Del Worsham, driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car: “Great solid numbers for the DHL Toyota Camry this weekend, but the field is tight. Matt Hagan is a tough first round draw, but we will go to the line like it is any other race and do our best.”

Alexis DeJoria, driver of the Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car: “We had a good car in qualifying this weekend. I think we have a good handle on this car tomorrow. Whether it is hot or cool conditions, we have a hot rod for them. I am excited that my family and friends are out here to celebrate with us and hopefully get our first win of the season at Patrón’s home track.”

Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster: “Much better Saturday for the Mac Tools Wrenching for a Cure machine. We learned a lot and are in the field, which was very competitive this weekend. Fellow countdown driver with Torrence in the morning, but both lanes are good so we will go out and run our race.”

J.R. Todd, driver of the Optima Batteries Top Fuel Dragster: “Great qualifying effort for the Optima Batteries team earlier today to get in the field. Tough draw in round one, but we are looking to defeat Tony and then go late rounds at the Toyota Nationals.”

ESPN TV Schedule:
11/01 Qualifications – 3:00 a.m. – 4:30 a.m. EST (ESPN2)
11/01 Qualifications – 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. EST (ESPN2)
11/01 Eliminations – 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. EST (ESPN2)

Times and dates subject to change.

Event Schedule:

Sunday’s eliminations begin at 11:00 p.m. PST.

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) 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 100 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 Optima Batteries 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 Optima Batteries Top Fuel dragster.

Associate sponsors on Kalitta Motorsports’ race cars include Justice Brothers, Kalitta Air, Optima Batteries, Patrón XO Café Incendio, Phoenix Fuel Converter, Red Line Oil, SealMaster, Summit Racing Equipment, Technicoat Companies, TMS Titanium, Toyota and Ziebart.

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
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