After a successful event for Team Kalitta, Red Line, and their customers at the previous event in Sonoma, Calif., Red Line decided that one event was not enough time to display their stunningly sleek and sharp dragster on the drag strip, so they have extended their partnership with the Ypsilanti, Michigan-based race team for Brainerd, Reading, Penn. (Aug. 20-23), and the most prestigious drag racing event in the world, the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Sept. 2-7.

"We had a feeling that this car would come off looking great," said Cameron Evans, Director of Sales and Marketing for Red Line. "Everyone at Red Line loves Top Fuel, especially when your car looks that cool when it first rolls out of the transporter. With the help of Kalitta Motorsports, we were able to add these three races so we are absolutely thrilled and look for another strong and consistent run in Minnesota and further."

Doug Kalitta has been driving Top Fuel dragsters since his Rookie of the Year Award-winning season in 1998, and has made two trips to the winner's circle in Brainerd, 2005 and 2003. This year he won the season opener in Pomona, Calif., and is currently in 9th place in Full Throttle championship points. Kalitta has finished in the top ten in Full Throttle Top Fuel championship points in every season of his drag racing career.

"We're really pleased that Red Line will continue as our primary partner for the next three events," Jim Oberhofer, General Manager of Kalitta Motorsports and Crew Chief of the Red Line Oil dragster, said. "Our partnership with Red Line has been and continues to be exceptionally beneficial both of us. Red Line has been great to us over the years and having their extra support for these next three events will be a big boost for the team, plus the race car does look awesome going down the race track."

The relationship between Red Line Oil and Kalitta Motorsports began in 2000 when the team was a Red Line customer, using Red Line 70wt Racing Oil to bolster the reliability of its multi-vehicle drag racing team. Red Line began sponsoring the Kalitta race cars in 2001. Both companies are celebrating anniversaries in 2009 - Red Line's 30th and Kalitta Motorsports' 50th.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Red Line Synthetic Oil Corp. manufactures more than 100 quality products for the automotive, racing, motorcycle, marine and industrial markets. Its complete line includes a wide variety of motor oils, gear oils, additives, and greases. For more information, please visit http://www.RedLineOil.com or contact Red Line Synthetic Oil Corp., 6100 Egret Court, Benicia, CA 94510.

Event Schedule
The NHRA Nationals in Brainerd begin Friday for the nitro-fueled classes with two qualifying sessions at 3:30 p.m. (CT) and 6:15 p.m. and again on Saturday at noon and 3:00 p.m. The top 16 qualified cars in each pro class will race Sunday in final eliminations beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Times and dates subject to change.

The event in Minnesota is the 16th of 24 national events in the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

ESPN2 TV Schedule
8/15 - Qualifying: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (ET)
8/16 - Eliminations: 10:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
8/19 - Repeat Eliminations: 2:30 a.m. - 4:30 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

Courtesy of Todd Myers