Hello Everyone,
I hope all of you had a great weekend, and are enjoying an even better week! All of us at Team Kalitta are ready for our next event down at Bristol Dragway, in Bristol, Tennessee. Bristol Dragway is also known as Thunder Valley, because of the way it was built between two mountains, and the thunder that is created when a couple of 8000 horsepower Top Fuel or Funny Cars run down the track.
Bristol also has some other unique challenges, as it is at about 1400 feet above sea level, and usually when we are there, it is about 90 degrees with lots of humidity. With all of the high temperatures and high humidity, it makes it much harder to make that 8000 horsepower you need to run those low elapsed times and top speeds. Team Kalitta has enjoyed some success at Bristol Dragway over the years as Doug Kalitta took the “Wally” home in 2001, 2005 and 2006. I think it’s time to add another Kalitta “Bristol Wally” to the shelf!
This week, we have focused on our clutch application with Doug’s, Kalitta Air Top Fueler. We feel that we make good enough power, and that our chassis works the best that it can work, now we just need to get the clutch back in order, so Doug and his “K” car can make a trip to the Bristol Winners Circle. It sounds easy, and like a good plan, but as it is with anything, if it was that easy, everyone would be doing it. The one thing that I do know, is that Doug, myself and the rest of the Kalitta Air Team are confident that we can get the job done this weekend!
Connie and Grubby, are also confident in their Kalitta Air Top Fuel Dragster going into Bristol. That’s the one thing about Conrad that I love the most, he is confident in what he does, no matter what! Conrad doesn’t spend much time looking in the rear view mirror to see what’s behind him, he just keeps looking forward. Connie has been working on a little bit different of a motor combination for about the last year, and one of the problems he has had with it, is making the right amount of power at the higher altitude racetracks, like Bristol. This week Connie and Grubby are working on some supercharger improvements, that should help Grubbies Kalitta Air Car, make the power they need to run those low et’s and top speeds at Bristol. If anyone can figure this out, Conrad is the guy!
I talked to Jeff yesterday for a little bit, and it sounds like he has been a good little housekeeper for his wife Windy as of late, cleaning house, taking Jenna to school, mowing the lawn ect. All the things a big time driver like Jeff would do during the off weeks. I love picking on Jeff because he just enjoys it for some strange reason! While Jeff was doing his best June Cleaver impersonation, the DHL Team was not only busy getting the yellow and red DHL Funny Car ready for Bristol, they put together Alexis DeJoria’s Patron Tequila Nitro Funny Car, and even started it on Tuesday. To say that we have a dedicated group of guys here at Kalitta Motorsports is an understatement. Jon O, Andy Cetwinski, Chris “Caveman” Butler, Dave “Bigfoot” Boyer, Jared Grablel, Mike Morris and Dan Gelselman along with other Team Kalitta Top Fuel crew-members, stayed late and worked on the weekend, to make sure that Alexis is ready to test in her own Patron Tequila Funny Car, the Monday after the Norwalk event, which is the weekend following Bristol. All that I can say is, great job guys!
Well, that’s about all of my babbling today, take care everyone, and if you can’t make it to Bristol, check us out on ESPN2 on Saturday and Sunday. Oh, if you need some housework done, give Jeff a call! Sorry Jeff, you know we love you!
Jim O
Jim “O” Oberhofer
Kalitta Motorsports