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NHRA LODRS IHRA PR-DRAG Drag News Photos
Fri, 4 Sep 2009, 09:10 PM

Connie Kalitta Gets Roasted, Doug Kalitta Gets Fired Up in Indy
Courtesy of Todd Meyers





Doug Kalitta Will Pilot Red Line Dragster While Connie Kalitta Celebrates 50th Anniversary in Racing With "Barbecuing The Bounty Hunter" Roast Featuring Drag Racing's Biggest Stars

Doug Kalitta, driver of the Red Line Oil Top Fuel dragster, heads to Indianapolis, Ind., this Labor Day weekend September 4 - 7, with hopes of winning a Top Fuel trophy at O'Reilly Raceway Park after securing runner-up status at the 2008 event. Team owner and drag racing legend Connie Kalitta will also celebrate 50 years of drag racing at Indy with a rare gathering of NHRA legends for a tribute roast and dinner with proceeds going to charity.

Doug Kalitta currently sits in 9th place in Full Throttle championship points. Only the top ten in points are eligible for NHRA's "postseason", the Countdown to 1, which begins at the Charlotte event, Sept. 17-20. Kalitta, who is 83 points in front of 10th place, is hoping that he and his Red Line Oil team can secure a few round wins over the long holiday weekend at one of the sport's most storied racetracks.

"We've been working hard on the car and we are looking forward to a fun, safe and fast race at Indy," Doug, a 44-year old resident of Ann Arbor, Mich., said. "Last year we nearly won the U.S. Nationals, and the team, the car and I are all ready to make some serious headway this weekend."

Team owner Connie Kalitta was the first top fuel driver to break the 200mph barrier at the U.S. Nationals in 1964, five years after entering the sport. To celebrate Connie's golden anniversary in the sport, Kalitta Motorsports will host "Barbecuing the Bounty Hunter: The Roast of Conrad Kalitta" on Sunday, September 6 at 5:30 p.m. (or 2 hours after nitro qualifying session ends) to 8:30 p.m. The roast will be held at the Mac Tools Hospitality tent and will be open to the public with ticket sales benefiting the Racers for Christ organization.

Drag racing broadcaster Bob Frey will M.C. the roast with roving reporter Alan Reinhart skimming the audience in search of entertaining Connie Kalitta stories. The roasters putting Connie on the hot seat will be Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, Jim Head, Chris "The Greek" Karamesines and other special guests to be announced. Seats are still available, and everyone who attends will receive a commemorative gift. If you would like to help support the event, please contact Rachel Brunner at (734) 544-7000 or Rachel@kalittaracing.com.

Event Schedule
Due to the Labor Day Holiday, the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indy begin Friday for the nitro-fueled classes with a qualifying session at 7:00 p.m. (CT) and again on Saturday at 1:45 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Sunday qualifying sessions will take place at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. for nitro cars. The top 16 qualified cars in each pro class will race Monday in final eliminations beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Times and dates subject to change.

The event in Indianapolis is the 18th of 24 national events in the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

ESPN2 TV Schedule
9/6 - Eliminations: 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
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. In 2009, Kalitta Motorsports is celebrating 50 years of drag racing by team owner and drag racing legend Connie "the Bounty Hunter" Kalitta. Over the past 50 years, Connie, who has been involved in the sport as a driver, tuner, and as an owner, has dedicated unequalled amounts of time and resources to building one of the most successful teams in the history of auto racing. Kalitta Motorsports has won five world championships and over 50 national event titles in five different drag racing sanctioning bodies since it was established by Connie in 1959.

Jeff Arend drives the DHL Toyota Solara Funny Car for the team while Connie's nephew, Doug Kalitta, drives the No. 50 Top Fuel dragster entry. Connie serves as head tuner for both Team Kalitta entries. He is assisted by crew chief Jim Oberhofer and assistant crew chief Troy Fasching on Doug's Top Fueler and by co-crew chiefs Jon Oberhofer and Nick Boninfante on the DHL Funny Car.

Associate sponsors on Kalitta Motorsports' race cars include Red Line Oil, Summit Racing Equipment, Technicoat Companies, Rocky Boots, Toyota, and Mac Tools.

For more info about Kalitta Motorsports, please visit http://www.teamkalitta.com

Follow Team Kalitta on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TeamKalitta

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kalitta





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