This weekend, May 15-17, Doug Kalitta, driver of the 8,000-horsepower No. 50 Kalitta Motorsports
Top Fuel dragster, returns to the home of three of his 31 career Top Fuel victories in the NHRA's
quickest and fastest racing class when he and his Kalitta Motorsports team "go the grand" at the
annual running of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tenn.
Kalitta's three title trophies from Bristol (2006, 2005, 2001) make him the winningest professional
drag racer on the scenic 1,000-ft. course in East Tennessee.
"It's been a few years so I think we're due for another (win)," Kalitta, a 44-year old resident of
Ann Arbor, Mich., said. "Seriously, Bristol is one of our favorite places to race. The track and
the facility are top-notch and the scenery is amazing. A win this weekend would be a big boost for
our team. Hopefully it's our turn and we can pick up our fourth Bristol trophy."
Kalitta, a 12-year NHRA veteran, and his team won the season-opening Winternationals in Pomona,
Calif., in early February. It was Kalitta's first trip to the winner's circle since the fall of
2007. Kalitta has finished in the top ten in Full Throttle Top Fuel championship points in every
season of his drag racing career. He is currently in 9th place (320) in Full Throttle championship
points, 241 points behind the leader.
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.
The NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals begins Friday for the nitro-fueled classes with two qualifying
sessions at 5:30 p.m. (ET) and 8:00 p.m. Two more qualifying opportunities take place Saturday at
1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The top sixteen qualified cars in each pro class will race Sunday in final
eliminations beginning at noon.
All times and dates subject to change.
The NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals is the 8th of 24 national events in the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle
Drag Racing Series.
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 racing operation was
started in 1959 by legendary drag racer and team owner Connie "the Bounty Hunter" Kalitta. Jeff
Arend drives the DHL Toyota Solara Funny Car for the team while Connie's nephew, Doug Kalitta,
drives the 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
