Thu, 05 Nov 2015, 16:11 PM Team Kalitta to Settle Longtime Top Fuel, Funny Car Battle

Courtesy of Cody Poor=20

YPSILANTI, Mich. --

Jim Oberhofer and Tommy DeLago

For years, NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series driv-ers, crew members and fans have argued over what is the best nitro class: Top Fuel or Funny Car. Team Kalitta looks to settle the long-running argument through the first annual Kalitta Soft-ball Classic on Thursday, November 12 at Big League Dreams in West Covina, Calif.

Fans are encouraged to come and pack the stands. Playing to our own heritage, Team Kalitta will play on the replica Detroit Tigers field with the game running from 5-7pm. There is a three dollar charge to enter the facility.

Leading the charge are two well-respected men each representing their own class.

Jim Oberhofer, a 30-year veteran of Kalitta Motorsports, has risen from crew member to the Vice President of Operations role. His passion continues to lie with Top Fuel racing as he has led Doug Kalitta to five victories and 13 final round appearances in the last two seasons. The crew chief on the Mac Tools dragster will be the captain of the Top Fuel team which will include J.R. Todd and members of the Mac Tools crew and Todd’s team, which has been sponsored this season by Optima Batteries, Red Line Oil and SealMaster.

Tommy DeLago will be his fiercest rival as the leader of the Funny Car charge. DeLago, the 2011 Funny Car Champion crew chief, was the first person to tune a driver to a sub 4.0 second run. His team will consist of the current Funny Car points leader, Del Worsham, and DeLago’s driver, Alexis DeJoria, and members of the DHL and Tequila Patrón XO Café Incendio crews.

“Team Kalitta has had a record-breaking season, and I could not think of a better way to end this effort then letting our outstanding employees have a great time playing America’s favorite pastime. It is going to be a great way to end this outstanding year,” said Oberhofer.

Fans and family that cannot attend can follow along on Team Kalitta’s Instagram, Periscope and Twitter social media channels and show their support of either team by using the hashtags: #KalittaSoftballTF or #KalittaSoftballFC. Followers will be able to vote on polls, cheer on the teams and see live action.

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