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YPSILANTI, Mich. (August 10, 2016) – Sonoma NHRA winner and driver of the SealMaster Toyota Top Fuel dragster, J.R. Todd will throw out the first pitch at the Cincinnati Reds game on August 15th.
Raised in nearby Lawrenceburg, Ind., Todd grew up cheering on the Cincinnati-based Reds and Bengals. The Reds are proud of their hometown star and are pleased to welcome him home to honor Todd’s recent successes on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing tour.
“We are proud to have Lawrenceburg, Ind., native and hometown racing star J.R. Todd to Great American Ball Park to throw out a ceremonial first pitch,” said Zack Bonkowski, Cincinnati Reds Vice President of Promotional Events & Productions.
Todd, who was the only Top Fuel driver to advance to the semi-finals or further in all three Western Swing events, will throw out the first pitch prior to the Reds facing the Miami Marlins on Monday at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
“It is exciting to be a part of the Reds game on Monday,” said Todd. “I grew up as a fan, so to be able to be a part of a game in this capacity is very cool.”
Todd scored his first win of the season at the last completed NHRA event, the Toyota Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway. In the last five events, Todd has scored three final round appearances and 14 round wins to lead the Top Fuel class in both categories. He currently sits sixth in the NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel Standings and has already clinched his spot in the 2016 NHRA Countdown for the Championship with two races still remaining.
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 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 six world championships and over 100 national event titles in five different professional drag racing sanctioning bodies since it was established by Connie in 1959.
Team Kalitta is the home of the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Funny Car World Champions, Del Worsham. He drives the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car. Alexis DeJoria pilots the Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry Funny Car. J.R. Todd drives the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster while Connie’s nephew, Doug Kalitta, pilots the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster. Kalitta Motorsports also manages the McLeod Racing Toyota Camry Funny Car driven by Paul Lee. 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, Tommy DeLago and Glen Huszar on the Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry Funny Car, Todd Smith on the McLeod Racing Toyota Camry Funny Car, Rob Flynn on the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster and Jim Oberhofer on the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster.
Associate sponsors on Kalitta Motorsports’ race cars include ARP, AutoDesk CAM, Champion, Cogistics, Darton Sleeves, DHL, Justice Brothers, Kalitta Air, Mac Tools, Optima Batteries, Phoenix Fuel Converter, Red Line Oil, SealMaster, Summit Racing Equipment, Technicoat Companies, Tequila Patrón, TMS Titanium, Toyota and Ziebart.