NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Two weeks off between NHRA races provides the perfect window for Kalitta Motorsports drivers, dragsters, and Funny Car to join Kalitta Air for its annual employee-appreciation day in Oscoda, Mich. The 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series resumes next week at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn., set for Aug. 15-17.

Doug Kalitta and his Mac Tools team, Shawn Langdon and his Kalitta Air 25th Anniversary team and J.R. Todd with his DHL GR Supra team joined hundreds of Kalitta Air employees in one of the Kalitta Air hangars. Lunch was inside the hangar with a Boeing 777 parked just outside.

The three race cars were on display in front of the 777 poised for the main event: starting all three cars for a pre-run warmup in the shadow of the 777 with the Kalitta Air employees looking on.

“We really enjoy being a part of this event each year,” Kalitta Motorsports General Manager Chad Head said. “We partner with the airline in a lot of areas with all three Team Kalitta cars, especially Shawn’s car promoting Kalitta Air Careers.com and celebrating the airline’s 25th anniversary. Days like today give the airline employees a chance to see the race cars and talk to the drivers. It’s two awesome companies owned by Connie Kalitta coming together as one to celebrate Kalitta Air and thank their employees – it’s a great day.”