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CHANDLER, Ariz. - Doug Kalitta, Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster, No. 13 qualifier - (4.547 sec., 327.90 mph) Dave Grubnic, Zantrex-3 Top Fuel dragster, No. 15 qualifier - (4.589 sec., 322.42 mph) Scott Kalitta, Kalitta Air Funny Car, No. 15 qualifier - (4.847 sec., 323.43 mph)
At the 2nd of 23 national events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird Int'l Raceway in Chandler, Ariz., just outside of downtown Phoenix, the nitro-fueled, quarter-mile race cars of Kalitta Motorsports struggled in their qualifying efforts but were able to come through in the clutch and make their respective starting fields.
Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster, qualified in the No. 13 spot for Sunday's 16-car final eliminations field with a best effort of 4.547 seconds at 327.90 mph. He will race No. 4 qualifier Brandon Bernstein (4.494 sec., 330.31 mph) in the opening round of eliminations. Doug continued his NHRA national event qualifying streak to 162 by getting his bright red dragster qualified for Sunday in the fourth and final qualifying session Saturday.
Doug's teammate Dave Grubnic, driver of the electric blue and black Zantrex-3 Top Fuel dragster, drove his entry into the No. 15 qualifying position (4.589 sec., 322.42 mph). He will face off against No. 2 qualifier Rod Fuller (4.471 sec., 331.61 mph) in round one.
Funny Car pilot and Kalitta Motorsports team driver Scott Kalitta, driver of the Kalitta Air Toyota Solora Funny Car, will begin Funny Car eliminations from the No. 15 qualifying position (4.847 sec., 323.43 mph). He will roll to the starting line to race No. 2 qualifier Tony Pedregon (4.659 sec., 324.44 mph) in the first round tomorrow. Like his cousin Doug, Scott also charged into the final eliminations field in the final qualifying session.
Hillary Will, driver of the Kalitta Motorsports-managed, Ken Black-owned KB Racing LLC Top Fuel dragster, qualified in the No. 11 position.
Sunday's final eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m. (MT)
All times and dates subject to change.
The Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals is the 2nd of 23 national events in the 23-event 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
About Kalitta Motorsports
Based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) POWERade Drag Racing Series. The racing operation was started in 1959 by now legendary drag racer and team owner Connie "the Bounty Hunter" Kalitta. His son Scott Kalitta drives the Kalitta Air Funny Car. Scott's cousin, Connie's nephew, Doug Kalitta drives the flagship Top Fuel dragster for Mac Tools. Native Australian Dave Grubnic drives the Zantrex-3 Top Fuel dragster, while Hillary Will drives the Kalitta Motorsports-managed and Ken Black-owned Top Fuel dragster.
Connie serves as head tuner for all Team Kalitta entries. He is assisted by crew chiefs Rahn Tobler (Mac Tools dragster), Jim Oberhofer (Hillary Will-driven dragster), Jon Oberhofer (Zantrex-3 dragster). Connie serves as crew chief on the Kalitta Air Funny Car with assistance from co-crew chief Glenn Mikres.
Associate sponsors on all Kalitta Motorsports' race cars include Red Line Oil, Summit Racing Equipment, Technicoat Companies, and Fischer Honda.
For more info about Kalitta Motorsports, please visit Kalitta Motorsports.
Doug Kalitta Qualifies No. 13 in Phoenix; Top Fuel Teammate Dave Grubnic Qualifies No. 15
Scott Kalitta Qualifies No. 15 in Funny Car
CHANDLER, Ariz. - Doug Kalitta, Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster, No. 13 qualifier - (4.547 sec., 327.90 mph) Dave Grubnic, Zantrex-3 Top Fuel dragster, No. 15 qualifier - (4.589 sec., 322.42 mph) Scott Kalitta, Kalitta Air Funny Car, No. 15 qualifier - (4.847 sec., 323.43 mph)
At the 2nd of 23 national events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird Int'l Raceway in Chandler, Ariz., just outside of downtown Phoenix, the nitro-fueled, quarter-mile race cars of Kalitta Motorsports struggled in their qualifying efforts but were able to come through in the clutch and make their respective starting fields.
Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster, qualified in the No. 13 spot for Sunday's 16-car final eliminations field with a best effort of 4.547 seconds at 327.90 mph. He will race No. 4 qualifier Brandon Bernstein (4.494 sec., 330.31 mph) in the opening round of eliminations. Doug continued his NHRA national event qualifying streak to 162 by getting his bright red dragster qualified for Sunday in the fourth and final qualifying session Saturday.
Doug's teammate Dave Grubnic, driver of the electric blue and black Zantrex-3 Top Fuel dragster, drove his entry into the No. 15 qualifying position (4.589 sec., 322.42 mph). He will face off against No. 2 qualifier Rod Fuller (4.471 sec., 331.61 mph) in round one.
Funny Car pilot and Kalitta Motorsports team driver Scott Kalitta, driver of the Kalitta Air Toyota Solora Funny Car, will begin Funny Car eliminations from the No. 15 qualifying position (4.847 sec., 323.43 mph). He will roll to the starting line to race No. 2 qualifier Tony Pedregon (4.659 sec., 324.44 mph) in the first round tomorrow. Like his cousin Doug, Scott also charged into the final eliminations field in the final qualifying session.
Hillary Will, driver of the Kalitta Motorsports-managed, Ken Black-owned KB Racing LLC Top Fuel dragster, qualified in the No. 11 position.
Sunday's final eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m. (MT)
All times and dates subject to change.
The Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals is the 2nd of 23 national events in the 23-event 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
About Kalitta Motorsports
Based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) POWERade Drag Racing Series. The racing operation was started in 1959 by now legendary drag racer and team owner Connie "the Bounty Hunter" Kalitta. His son Scott Kalitta drives the Kalitta Air Funny Car. Scott's cousin, Connie's nephew, Doug Kalitta drives the flagship Top Fuel dragster for Mac Tools. Native Australian Dave Grubnic drives the Zantrex-3 Top Fuel dragster, while Hillary Will drives the Kalitta Motorsports-managed and Ken Black-owned Top Fuel dragster.
Connie serves as head tuner for all Team Kalitta entries. He is assisted by crew chiefs Rahn Tobler (Mac Tools dragster), Jim Oberhofer (Hillary Will-driven dragster), Jon Oberhofer (Zantrex-3 dragster). Connie serves as crew chief on the Kalitta Air Funny Car with assistance from co-crew chief Glenn Mikres.
Associate sponsors on all Kalitta Motorsports' race cars include Red Line Oil, Summit Racing Equipment, Technicoat Companies, and Fischer Honda.
For more info about Kalitta Motorsports, please visit Kalitta Motorsports.