Team Kalitta Qualifying Recap – NHRA Nationals – Brainerd

BRAINERD, Minn. (August 22, 2015) – Kalitta Motorsports, the nitro-fueled, four-car NHRA drag racing team based in Ypsilanti, Mich., has completed qualifying for the NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minn. Results and quotes follow. The fourth qualifying session was called due to weather.

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

Q1: 4.863 sec., 151.02 mph
Q2:3.987 sec., 226.35 mph
Q3:3.740 sec., 319.75 mph (One bonus point for the third best run of the session.)

No. 3 Qualifier

J.R. Todd – Driver of the Red Line Oil Top Fuel Dragster:

Q1: 3.780 sec., 325.22 mph (One bonus point for the third best run of the session.)
Q2:3.781 sec., 328.78 mph
Q3:4.677 sec., 157.59 mph

No. 10 Qualifier

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

Q1: 4.251 sec., 230.33 mph
Q2:4.011 sec., 317.72 mph
Q3:3.946 sec., 321.88 mph (One bonus point for the third best run of the session.)
(The 3.946 second run at 321.88 mph resets both of Alexis DeJoria’s career best numbers.)

No. 3 Qualifier

Del Worsham – Driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car:

Q1: 4.084 sec., 312.57 mph
Q2:7.201 sec., 90.89 mph
Q3:3.981 sec., 323.97 mph
(The 3.981 second run at 323.97 mph resets both of Del Worsham’s career best numbers.)

No. 8 Qualifier

First Round Competition:

• 3) Doug Kalitta v. 14) Wayne Newby
• 10) J.R. Todd v. 7) Antron Brown
• 3) Alexis DeJoria v. 14) Brian Stewart
• 8) Del Worsham v. 9) Matt Hagan

Quotables:

Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster: “Great to have a solid run in the q. 3 pass to get the Mac Tools team back inside the top half of the ladder. We are planning on going rounds tomorrow and hopefully go one round further than last year.”

J.R. Todd, driver of the Red Line Oil Top Fuel Dragster: “I wish it didn’t rain so we could try to improve on tenth. The Red Line Oil team has a tough draw in round one, but we will go to the line and step on the gas and hopefully turn on the win light.”

Alexis DeJoria, driver of the Patrón XO Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car: “I am really happy for our team this weekend. They are doing an excellent job. Tomorrow’s conditions should be good, but you never know what will happen. We will do our best.”

Del Worsham, driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car: “The DHL Toyota Camry had a few bugs when we got her, but I think we got them all straightened out. A very quick field makes it interesting for tomorrow, but the DHL team is always up for the challenge.”

ESPN TV Schedule:

08/22 Qualifications – 11:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. EST (ESPN2)

08/23 Eliminations – 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. EST (ESPN2)

Times and dates subject to change.

Event Schedule:

Sunday’s eliminations begin at 11:00 a.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 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 Tequila Patrón XO CaféIncendio Toyota Camry Funny Car. J.R. Todd drives the Red Line Oil 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 CaféIncendio Toyota Camry Funny Car, and by Jim Oberhofer on the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster. Connie serves as crew chief on the Red Line Oil Top Fuel dragster.

Associate sponsors on Kalitta Motorsports’race cars include Justice Brothers, Kalitta Air, Optima Batteries, Patrón XO CaféIncendio, 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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