NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Doug Kalitta will campaign a KalittaAir.com/careers-themed Top Fuel dragster during this weekend’s Heartland NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor at Heartland Motorsports Park.

The design was inspired by Kalitta Motorsports’ and Kalitta Air’s long-standing relationship with team owner and drag racing icon Connie Kalitta. Highlighting the need for qualified aviation mechanics and technicians, the KalittaAir.com/careers Top Fuel dragster will draw attention all weekend as 49-time Top Fuel national event winner Doug Kalitta pursues win No. 50 in his Hall of Fame career and begins to focus on competing in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship for the 2022 NHRA Top Fuel world championship.
 
“This is a great-looking Top Fuel dragster promoting an amazing opportunity for anyone with aviation experience or anyone looking to get into the business,” said Kalitta, a licensed pilot and president of Kalitta Charters. “We have done a number of promotions and events with the Kalitta Air guys over the years, but we really wanted to draw attention to a need for our company and the aviation industry overall.”
 
Prior to the Western Swing, Kalitta Motorsports brought the horsepower to Kalitta Air and Kalitta Charters for their employee appreciation day at Willow Run Airport outside of Detroit. More than 500 Kalitta Air and Kalitta Charter employees based in Ypsilanti, Mich., enjoyed the event and motorsports displays. The entire fleet of Kalitta Motorsports’ race cars was on display, including a specially designed Kalitta Air Toyota Funny Car. Employees had the chance to get up close and personal with Doug Kalitta’s Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster, Shawn Langdon’s Top Fuel dragster, and J.R. Todd’s DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car. All three drivers were on hand as well as team owner and drag racing Hall of Famer Connie Kalitta to talk with employees, sign autographs, and thank them for their hard work and dedication.
 
“This event was a great opportunity to thank everyone at the Kalitta companies,” said Chad Head, Kalitta Motorsports general manager. “We are one big family of companies, and having the chance to spend a day with the folks from Kalitta Air and Kalitta Charters was a real pleasure for everyone at Kalitta Motorsports. Having all the drivers and the crew guys at Willow Run made it a really cool event.”
 
Throughout the years, Kalitta Motorsports, Kalitta Air, and Kalitta Charters have produced several cross-promotions. Most notably through the relationship with DHL, there have been several cross-over events, paint schemes, and promotions between the aviation and motorsports businesses. DHL and Kalitta Motorsports are celebrating 15 years of sponsorship in 2022.