WIX® Filters New Paint Scheme Mark Shawn Langdon’s Primary Sponsorship at Charlotte

Wednesday, 06 September 2017

WIX® Filters, a global manufacturer of filtration products, will take the primary position on the Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel dragster driven by former Top Fuel Champion Shawn Langdon for the NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway in Charlotte.

“It is very exciting to be involved in this program with WIX Filters,” said Shawn Langdon, driver of the WIX Filters Top Fuel dragster. “There is a lot of hype with this race being the Countdown opener and to represent WIX at their home track makes it even more special. I have been involved with Team Kalitta for a short time, but the whole WIX family has welcomed me with open arms. I am excited to have all of their employees, customers and guests at the track in Charlotte and I look forward to sharing their commitment to Kalitta Motorsports all weekend.”

WIX Filters, celebrating their 50th year in racing, will debut its primary paint scheme in front of hundreds of local employees on Wednesday, September 13 in nearby Gastonia, NC with Langdon and J.R. Todd in attendance. Many employees will then make the short drive this weekend to root on Langdon and his WIX Filters team as they try to start the Countdown for the Championship strong in Charlotte.

“Team Kalitta and all the drivers have been incredible partners this year,” said Jennifer Gibson, brand manager for WIX Filters. “We are passionate NHRA fans and being a part of a great team makes it that much better. Shawn’s paint scheme looks great and we hope to see it in the winner’s circle this weekend.”

Race teams have relied on the quality and performance of WIX Filters for 50 years, and in return the track provides exceptional R&D testing grounds for WIX engineers. Kalitta Motorsports and WIX Filters began their relationship earlier this season with U.S. Nationals Funny Car race winner J.R. Todd serving as lead driver. As the Official Filters of Team Kalitta, Alexis DeJoria, Richie Crampton and Doug Kalitta also carry the WIX Filters logos on their racecars, firesuits and Toyota Sienna tow vehicles.

“I think it is exciting not only for WIX Filters but Kalitta Motorsports to have WIX as the primary sponsor of Shawn Langdon’s car in Charlotte,” said Jim Oberhofer, Vice President of Operations, Kalitta Motorsports. “It is the first race of the Countdown, and there are so many other cool things happening at that race. WIX is such an important sponsor for Kalitta Motorsports; they really have taken this team to a new level with their involvement at the track. They have extreme passion for NHRA drag racing, their customers and for our team. I think it is a really neat partnership and the beginning of many more great things we are going to see as part of our relationship.”

The WIX Filters Top Fuel dragster will make its debut in qualifying for the NHRA Carolina Nationals on Friday, September 15. Global Electronic Technology will return to the primary role on Langdon’s machine the following weekend in Reading, Penn. and retain the position for the remainder of the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season.

WIX will provide updates on the race and new paint scheme across its social media pages. For more information on WIX, please visit www.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. For more than 50 years, 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 six 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 five full-time entries in the NHRA Mello Yello nitro classes. Connie Kalitta’s nephew, Doug Kalitta, pilots the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster; former Auto Club Road to the Future winner Richie Crampton drives the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster; former Top Fuel champion Shawn Langdon is the driver of the Global Electronic Technology Top Fuel Dragster; J.R. Todd is the driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car and Alexis DeJoria pilots the Tequila Patrón 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 Tommy DeLago on the Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry Funny Car and Rob Flynn on the Global Electronic Technology Top Fuel dragster. Jim Oberhofer leads the efforts on both the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster and the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster. He is assisted by Troy Fasching on the Mac Tools dragster and Glen Huszar and Nick Casertano on the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster.

Associate sponsors on Kalitta Motorsports’ race cars include ARP, AutoDesk CAM, Champion, Cogistics, Darton Sleeves, DHL, Global Electronic Technology, JEGS, Justice Brothers, Kalitta Air, Mac Tools, Racing Electronics, Red Line Oil, SealMaster, SPY Optic, Technicoat Companies, Tequila Patrón, TMS Titanium, Toyota, WIX Filters and Ziebart.

Contacts

Jennifer Gibson
704-869-3383
jennifer.gibson@mann-hummel-ft.com

Christy Marion
704-926-1359
cmarion@wrayward.com