Todd, Kalitta Motorsports celebrate one-year anniversary with Stratosphere jump

JR Todd Headshot

JR Todd HeadshotLAS VEGAS (March 24, 2015) The SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals marks a big anniversary for J.R. Todd, driver of the Red Line Oil Top Fuel Dragster, and Kalitta Motorsports. One year ago, Todd took a leap of faith and flew cross-country to drive for Team Kalitta. To celebrate that anniversary, Todd will take another leap of faith: a 108-story jump from the top of the Stratosphere.

Since joining Team Kalitta, Todds career has been rejuvenated. Despite not running full-time since 2008, Todd jumped into the Kalitta seat in 2014 and has earned more than 25 round wins and reset his career best numbers multiple times. Todd reached Victory Lane in Denver, and multiple other final round appearances including the seriesmost recent event in Las Vegas last fall. Even though he missed the first two races of last season, Todd made the Mello Yello Countdown for the Championship in tenth place and moved all the way to the runner-up position by seasonsend.

After last weekends qualifying effort, we are definitely on the right track,said Todd. The SkyJump is a cool way to start the weekend and hopefully we finish it with the Wally in Victory Lane!

To celebrate his time with Kalitta Motorsports, Todd will be making the SkyJump from the top of the Stratosphere Hotel Casino on the evening of April ninth. The SkyJump consists of a leap from 108-stories or nearly 1,000 feet at speeds over 40 mph. Although the seventeen seconds he will be in the air maybe longer than Todd normally experiences 1,000 feet, the exhilarating feeling and exceptional views of the Las Vegas Strip make this a perfect way to honor the moment.

“We are excited that J.R. Todd is celebrating his one year anniversary with Kalitta Motorsports by braving Stratospheres SkyJump,said the Stratospheres Director of Marketing, Todd Ford. “This exhilarating 108-story plunge is the ultimate leap of faith for any thrill seekeror NHRA driver.”

Konnect 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
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KalittaMotorsports
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TeamKalitta
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/TeamKalitta
Instagram: www.instagram.com/TeamKalitta

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 Connies 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.