Doug Kalitta trying for three consecutive NHRA event wins in sponsor's backyard

COLUMBUS, Ohio (May 16, 2006) – Just like in the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster driver Doug Kalitta is going into his primary sponsor’s hometown of Columbus, Ohio, on a hot streak. Just like last season, Kalitta and his Mac Tools team are eager to race this weekend, May 18-21, at National Trail Raceway because once again they will enter the Pontiac Performance NHRA Nationals on a two-event winning streak.

Kalitta and his team led by crew chief Rahn Tobler won the previous two NHRA national events in Bristol, Tenn., and Atlanta. Last year they accomplished the same feat and then went to the final round in Columbus, but they came up just shy of a victory against the Alan Johnson-tuned Top Fueler. This year they are looking to avenge that title-round falter to get their third consecutive event victory in front of friends, family and supporters from Mac Tools.

“I’m ready to get back out there,�?? Kalitta, whose team has had a weekend off since his victory in Atlanta, said. “When you get on a hot streak, you want to keep that momentum going and stay on the track.

“I’m sure Rahn will have us all tuned up and ready to go this weekend. Our Mac Tools dragster has been running great lately, hopefully it will stay consistent. Mac Tools came on board as our primary sponsor back in 2001 and we go each year to Columbus hoping to win it for them in their hometown. We almost pulled it off last year. Hopefully, we can make it happen for them this year.�??

Kalitta enters the event in Columbus in 2nd place in POWERade championship points, 132 behind the leader.

Kalitta, a 41-year old resident of Ann Arbor, Mich., is a two-time Top Fuel championship points runner-up (2003-2004) and the 1998 Auto Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award winner for rookie excellence. He is now in his ninth season in NHRA Top Fuel drag racing and has 26 career Top Fuel victories in 49 final-round appearances. Before joining the quarter-mile set, Kalitta raced in open-wheel competition and won the 1994 USAC National Sprint Car Championship.

The Pontiac Performance NHRA Nationals begins Friday, March 31, for the Top Fuel class with two qualifying sessions at 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. (ET). Two more qualifying sessions follow on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The top sixteen qualified cars will race Sunday in final eliminations beginning at 11:00 a.m.

All times and dates subject to change.

The Pontiac Performance NHRA Nationals is the 8th of 23 national events in the 2006 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 StriVectin-SD 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 (StriVectin-SD dragster), Johnny West (Kalitta Air Funny Car) and Larry Meyer (Kalitta Air Funny Car co-crew chief).

Associate sponsors on all Kalitta Motorsports’ race cars include Red Line Oil, Summit Racing Equipment, Technicoat Companies, Zantrex-3 and Fischer Honda.

To learn more about Kalitta Motorsports and for the latest news, photos, videos and more about the team, please visit