WIX® Filters Announces Sponsorship Extension with Team Kalitta for 2019 NHRA Season

Tuesday, 26 February 2019

WIX® Filters, a global manufacturer of filtration products, has announced its partnership renewal with Kalitta Motorsports for the 2019 National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) season. Celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, W IX will serve as chief technical partner through a major associate sponsorship agreement, as well as the Official Filters of Team Kalitta.



J.R. Todd, driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car, and Shawn Langdon, driver of the Global Electronic Technology Toyota Camry Funny Car, will represent WIX Filters on and off track. WIX will also be associate sponsors of the Top Fuel Dragsters driven by Richie Crampton and Doug Kalitta.

“We are excited to once again partner with Kalitta Motorsports this season. We ended last year on a high note with J.R. winning the world championship, and we’re excited to take that momentum into 2019,” said Jennifer Gibson, brand manager for WIX. “WIX has supported motorsports for over half a century, and we are proud to stand by Team Kalitta for another season.”

WIX will see its filters perform in the Top Fuel and Funny Car competitions, where cars reach top performance speeds of more than 330 mph in less than 3.7 seconds. In 2018, J.R. Todd drove to the Winner’s Circle securing his first NHRA Funny Car world championship title.

“This partnership really makes so much sense. There are few other traditions as rich as Kalitta and WIX, and Kalitta is proud to once again welcome WIX into our family this year,” said Todd. “We look forward to adding more championships to this partnership in 2019.”

WIX Filters will also grow their hospitality presence with Kalitta Motorsports this year with five major activations across NHRA’s expansive reach nationwide. These activations provide opportunities to bring loyal WIX customers to the track and give them an experience like no other.
For more information on WIX, please visit wixfilters.com.


About WIX Filters


Since 1939, WIX® Filters has been an innovator in filtration products. WIX designs, manufactures and distributes products for automotive, diesel, agricultural, industrial and specialty filter markets. Part of the MANN+HUMMEL family of brands, WIX's product line includes oil, air, cabin interior, fuel, coolant, transmission and hydraulic filters for automobiles, trucks, off-road equipment and manufacturing applications. For more information, visit www.wixfilters.com, or any of our social channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.


About Kalitta Motorsports


Based in Ypsilanti, Mich., Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The team was founded and is owned by drag racing icon Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta. Celebrating the 60th year of Kalitta Motorsports, Connie has been involved in the sport as a driver, tuner, and an owner. Kalitta Motorsports is one of the most successful teams in the history of auto racing with seven world championships and over 100 national event titles in five different professional drag racing sanctioning bodies since it was established by Connie in 1959.

Team Kalitta fields four full-time entries in the NHRA Mello Yello nitro classes. Connie Kalitta’s nephew, Doug Kalitta, pilots the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster while former Rookie of the Year winner Richie Crampton drives the DHL Top Fuel dragster. In Funny Car, 2018 Funny Car Champion J.R. Todd is the driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car and Shawn Langdon pilots the Global Electronic Technology Toyota Camry Funny Car. Connie Kalitta serves as head tuner for all Team Kalitta entries. He is assisted by co-crew chiefs Jon Oberhofer and Todd Smith on the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car, Nicky Boninfante and Del Worsham on the Global Electronic Technology Toyota Camry Funny Car, Kurt Elliott on the DHL Top Fuel dragster and Rob Flynn and Troy Fasching lead the efforts on the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster.