Team Kalitta Qualifying Recap – SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals – Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nev., (April 11, 2015) – Kalitta Motorsports, the nitro-fueled, four-car NHRA drag racing team based in Ypsilanti, Mich., has completed qualifying for the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals on The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Results and quotes follow.

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

Q1: 4.748 sec., 147.29 mph
Q2:3.758 sec., 324.83 mph (Three bonus points for the quickest run of the session.)
Q3: 4.840 sec., 152.59 mph
Q4: 3.890 sec., 295.85 mph

No. 1 Qualifier

This is J.R. Todd’s and Team Kalitta’s second number one qualifier of the season and Todd’s second consecutive as picked up the no.1 position in Charlotte. It is Todd’s eighth career number one qualifier and his second consecutive at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In the past eleven races, Todd has picked up five number one qualifiers which leads all nitro classes.

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

Q1: 3.863 sec., 302.14 mph
Q2:3.793 sec., 317.94 mph
Q3: 4.146 sec., 217.39 mph
Q4: 4.035 sec., 245.86 mph

No. 6 Qualifier

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

Q1: 4.148 sec., 296.83 mph
Q2:4.037 sec., 308.78 mph
Q3: 4.184 sec., 293.22 mph
Q4: 4.059 sec., 307.37 mph (Three bonus points for the quickest run of the session.)

No. 4 Qualifier

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

Q1: 4.116 sec., 308.71 mph (One bonus point for third quickest run of the session.)
Q2:4.048 sec., 316.52 mph
Q3: 4.658 sec., 180.77 mph
Q4: 4.085 sec., 314.09 mph

No. 5 Qualifier

First Round Competition:

1) J.R. Todd v. 16) Steve Faria

6) Doug Kalitta v. 11) Spencer Massey

4) Alexis DeJoria v. 13) Courtney Force

5) Del Worsham v. 12) Tony Pedregon

Quotables:

J.R. Todd, driver, Red Line Oil/Kalitta Air Top Fuel Dragster: “The track today was probably the hottest it has been all season, and that is when you need to go down the track because that is probably how it is going to be tomorrow. The Red Line Oil team was a little aggressive both runs, it spun pretty hard in Q.4, but our early numbers were strong. Tomorrow, we just need to race the racetrack, not worry about who we are facing and hopefully we will be making four passes here at the Strip.”

Doug Kalitta, driver, Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster: “I think sixth is a good spot for tomorrow, we are on the opposite side of the ladder from our teammate (J.R. Todd). I am looking forward to go out there and pick up the win tomorrow in the Mac Tools dragster.”

Del Worsham, driver, DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car “It looks like we picked up right where we left off at the 4-Wide. The DHL Toyota Camry is running well; but we have a tough first round opponent, Tony Pedregon. He is a multiple time world champion, so we cannot take him lightly. Hopefully we are able to keep doing what we have been doing.”

ESPN TV Schedule:

04/12 Eliminations – 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. EST (ESPN2)

Times and dates subject to change.

Event Schedule:

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

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 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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