WIX Filters 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 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 its 50th year in racing, will debut its primary paint scheme in front of hundreds of local employees on Wednesday, Sept. 13 in nearby Gastonia, North Carolina, 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 been using 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, Sept. 15. Global Electronic Technology will return to the primary role on Langdon’s machine the following weekend in Reading, Pennsylvania, 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, visit wixfilters.com.
