NHRA (DALLAS) - WILL LOSES OUT TO TEAMMATE...

In a battle of teammate, Hillary Will, who drives the KB Racing LLC-owned, Kalitta Motorsports-managed “Support our Troops and Families” Top Fuel Dragster, was turned back by the Mac Tools Dragster of Doug Kalitta in the first round of eliminations at today’s 20th annual NHRA O’Reilly Mid-South Nationals.

Kalitta gained an advantage at the starting line and Will was never able to make up the difference. Will crossed the Texas Motorplex in 4.614 seconds at 327.27 mph, six hundredths of a second behind Kalitta. Kalitta recorded a pass 4.601 seconds at 321.65 mph.

“We ran our best run of the weekend, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough,” said Will, following the first round action. “We lost another close race. One of these days those close races are going to go to us. I guess if I have to lose to somebody I would rather see it be my teammate. Doug and the Mac Tools team advanced to the second round and everybody at Kalitta Motorsports was pulling for them to win again. That didn’t happen either, so we now move to the next race.”

NEXT RACE: The next race will be run at Virginia Motorsports Park, near Richmond, when the second annual NHRA Torco Racing Fuels Nationals unfolds Oct. 5-7.

TELEVISION: ESPN2 / ESPN2 HD will air same-day coverage of eliminations for the 22nd annual NHRA O’Reilly Fall Nationals tonight (Sept. 23) from 7-10 p.m. The elimination show repeats early Tuesday morning, Sept. 25, from 4-6 a.m. Television times are ET (Eastern Time) and subject to change without notice. Check your local listing.