Worsham More Excited Than Normal Going Into NHRA’s Biggest Event in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., (Aug. 28, 2013) – Del Worsham, driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car for Kalitta Motorsports, is kind of like a child waiting to open his gifts on Christmas morning these days as his level of anticipation has skyrocketed for this weekend’s annual running of the 59th annual running of the most prestigious drag racing event in the world, the NHRA U.S. Nationals at the Raceway at Indianapolis.

He and his team had a very successful test session in Indy last week and that has given him and his DHL team a huge boost of confidence going in to the “Super Bowl” of drag racing.

“In my 23 years of racing a nitro car, I’ve never been a part of a test session that good,” Worsham, a 43-year old resident of Chino Hills, Calif., said. “Our DHL Toyota ran great right from the start and just kept getting better and better. We made small adjustments as we went on and the car responded just how we wanted it to every time. I know our whole team is very excited to get back on the track and build on that momentum. It’s a great feeling. Hopefully our weekend of racing in Indy will be just as good and we’ll find a way to get in the Countdown, too.”

 

Funny Car drivers now have only the Indy event remaining to qualify for NHRA’s six-event “playoff”, the Countdown to the Championship, by being in the top ten in Mello Yello championship points when racing concludes at the U.S. Nationals. Worsham is currently in 11th place, only 31 points away from the top ten.

Worsham visited the famed Indy winner’s circle in 2005. He also has two runner-up finishes at the “Big Go”, 2011 (Top Fuel) and 1992.

So far in 2013, Worsham and the DHL “Yella Fellas” have posted three semi-final showings and have raced to one runner-up finish (Gainesville, Fla.). They were the No. 1 qualifiers at the event in Bristol, Tenn., as well.

Worsham began his straight-line racing career in the fall of 1990 and has gone on to secure 33 career wins, including 25 in the Funny Car class. After switching Nitro classes and clinching the 2011 Top Fuel NHRA World Championship, the fan-favorite Worsham retired from driving and became crew chief for fellow Kalitta Motorsports teammate Alexis DeJoria. After one season out of the driver’s seat, he returned as a driver this season to take the controls of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car.

Follow Del Worsham:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/DHL_Del, www.twitter.com/TeamKalitta

Event Schedule:

The NHRA U.S. Nationals begin Friday for Team Kalitta and all the Nitro-powered pros with one qualifying session at 7:00 p.m. (ET). Two more qualifying sessions follow on Saturday at 4:15 p.m. and 7:10 p.m., and then two more chances to qualify take place Sunday at 12:45 p.m. and 3:40 p.m. The top 16 qualified cars in each Nitro class will race Labor Day Monday in final eliminations beginning at 11:00 a.m. 

               

Times and dates subject to change.

ESPN2 TV Schedule:

9/1 – Qualifying

   1:00 PM-6:00 PM (ET)

9/2 – Finals

   12:00 PM-6:00 PM (ET)

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) Full Throttle 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 Toyota Camry Funny Car. David Grubnic drives the OPTIMA Batteries/Advance Auto Parts 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 Toyota Camry Funny Car,  and by Jim Oberhofer on the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster. Connie serves as crew chief on the Optima Batteries Top Fuel dragster.

Associate sponsors on Kalitta Motorsports’ race cars include Candlewood Suites, Red Line Oil, Technicoat and JEGS.

For more info about Kalitta Motorsports including exclusive content such as videos, photos and more, please visit www.teamkalitta.com. Follow Us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TeamKalitta. Like Us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/KalittaMotorsports. Check out videos about Team Kalitta on our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/TeamKalitta. Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/teamkalitta.