Team Kalitta Qualifying Recap – O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals – Houston

HOUSTON, Texas, (April 25, 2015) – Kalitta Motorsports, the nitro-fueled, four-car NHRA drag racing team based in Ypsilanti, Mich., has completed qualifying for the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park. Results and quotes follow.

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

Q1: 4.012 sec., 238.72 mph
Q2:3.760 sec., 324.12 mph
Q3: 3.765 sec., 323.58 mph (Three bonus points for the quickest run of the session.)
Q4: 4.832 sec., 153.70 mph

No. 4 Qualifier

Kalitta’s run in the third session was the best on Saturday for the Top Fuel Dragster class. With his qualifying bonus points, Kalitta moved into sixth place in points.

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

Q1: 6.293 sec., 105.74 mph
Q2:3.780 sec., 321.27 mph
Q3: 3.770 sec., 321.50 mph (Two bonus points for the second quickest run of the session.)
Q4: 3.834 sec., 317.49 mph (Two bonus points for the second quickest run of the session.)

No. 6 Qualifier

Todd’s third round qualifying effort was the second best of Saturday in the Top Fuel Dragster class. His four bonus points were the best in the class, and allowed him to move into eighth place in the point standings.

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

Q1: 4.023 sec., 314.97 mph (Third bonus point for the quickest run of the session.)
Q2:7.257 sec., 91.19 mph
Q3: 4.097 sec., 306.53 mph (One bonus point for the third quickest run of the session.)
Q4: 4.134 sec., 305.91 mph

No. 2 Qualifier

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

Q1: 4.041 sec., 310.77 mph (Two bonus points for the second quickest run of the session.)
Q2:8.456 sec., 85.20 mph
Q3: 4.150 sec., 299.80 mph
Q4: 4.106 sec., 304.64 mph

No. 4 Qualifier

First Round Competition:

4) Doug Kalitta v. 13) Troy Buff

6) J.R. Todd v. 11) Steve Torrence

2) Del Worsham v. 15) John Force

4) Alexis DeJoria v. 13) Bob Bode

Quotables:

Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster: “I think we are in a good spot for tomorrow. Fourth place is strong, and we ran well in the conditions today which are probably going to be similar to tomorrow. I am proud of my Mac Tools guys, and we are confident we can get the win.”

J.R. Todd, driver of the Red Line Oil/Kalitta Air Top Fuel Dragster: “We made some great runs today in the heat. That is what it is going to take to turn on four win lights tomorrow. All in all it was a good qualifying effort for the Red Line Oil guys, and we are ready to go for tomorrow.”

Del Worsham, driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car: We are really happy with our DHL Camry. It has done exactly what we have wanted it to all weekend. The Camry is consistent, and we are confident going into Sunday.

ESPN TV Schedule:

04/26 Eliminations – 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. EST (ESPN2) – LIVE Broadcast

Times and dates subject to change.

Event Schedule:

Sunday’s eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m. CST.

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 Café Incendio Toyota Camry Funny Car. J.R. Todd drives the Red Line Oil/Kalitta Air 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 Red Line Oil/Kalitta Air Top Fuel dragster.

Associate sponsors on Kalitta Motorsports’ race cars include Justice Brothers, 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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