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NHRA: Connie Kalitta Ready for Winner's Circle in Reading

19 September 1998

READING, Pa. - It has been two years since Connie Kalitta has raced at Maple Grove Raceway. While this week's (September 18-20) NHRA Pioneer Keystone Nationals will be just his third race of the season after a 16-month break, he's ready for the winner's circle.

Having been involved in two fast-paced businesses for most of his life - drag racing and air cargo -- Kalitta, 60, of Ypsilanti, Mich., is accustomed to things being done quickly. In both areas getting from point A to point B quicker than your competition is the name of the game.

Maintaining that edge in business has forced racing to take a back-seat from time to time over the years. This latest hiatus for Kalitta was to see his worldwide air cargo company, American International Airways, through a merger with Dallas-based carrier Kitty Hawk. The transaction was completed last November and Kalitta stayed on as president of AIA until this past April when he retired as president but retained his position on the Kitty Hawk, Inc., board of directors.

"I'm trying to become a lot more focused on what I want to do rather than what the company wants me to do," said Kalitta.

What he wants to do is race cars and continue in aviation, just like he has done for over 30 years. For Kalitta, the two have gone hand-in-hand, as it was prize money from wins at the 1967 NHRA and AHRA season-openers that provided the financing for a 310 Cessna that was the first in his fleet. Today, in his latest venture, Kalitta is working on a different fleet. At the helm of Kalitta Leasing, an Ann Arbor, Mich., based company, he specializes in buying, selling and leasing aircraft. Though not as intense as the world of on-demand air charter, it is still a demanding business which requires Kalitta to log frequent flyer miles to destinations all over the world to secure aircraft. It also allows him more time for his racing.

When business demanded his attention and Kalitta couldn't be behind the wheel, he was usually behind the scenes. In addition to his two Winston Top Fuel Championships on the IHRA tour in 1979 and 1982, Kalitta was the proud team owner and father when his son Scott won the NHRA Winston Top Fuel Championship in 1994 and 1995. He was also the crew chief for Shirley Muldowney when she became the first and only female Winston Top Fuel Champion in 1977. Prior to his return last month Kalitta said, "I've got a couple more years I can be competitive, so I'm going to give it a shot and see if I can still handle it. I sure hope I haven't lost the touch. I don't think I have." Though he went out in the early rounds of both the VisionAire NorthStar Nationals and the U.S. Nationals, the 22-time NHRA National event finalist proved he still has what it takes to drive these cars.

Inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1992 for his contributions to the sport, Kalitta would like to have a good outing at this event, as it was the site of his last final round appearance. After defeating Shelly Anderson, Cory McClenathan and Joe Amato, Kalitta fell to Kenny Bernstein in the final round of the 1996 event.

While most things have remained the same since Kalitta competed last year, there have been some changes. His son Scott retired at the end of last season to spend more time with his family and to concentrate on his air cargo business. With Connie and Scott both out of competition, the reigns of the Kalitta Motorsports entry were turned over to Connie's nephew, former USAC national sprint car champion Doug Kalitta. This could be the race where Connie and Doug will meet for the first time. As the driver of the American International Airways/Kitty Hawk entry, Doug has been to two final rounds this season, winning once.

Professional qualifying for the 14th annual Pioneer Keystone Nationals will begin on Friday, September 18th with sessions scheduled for 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Qualifying will continue on Saturday with sessions at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Final eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, September 20th.

The Nashville Network (TNN) will show two hours of live first round action beginning at 11 a.m. (EDT) Sunday, September 20th. Final round coverage and race highlights will also air on TNN at 5 p.m. (EDT) Sunday.