OPTIMA Batteries to Extend Partnership and Race Again with Grubnic and Kalitta Motorsports in NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series

Kalitta Motorsports, one of the largest and most successful teams in professional drag racing history, announced today that OPTIMA Batteries, a worldwide leader in high-performance batteries, will return as the primary sponsor on the OPTIMA Batteries Top Fuel dragster driven by David Grubnic in the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

OPTIMA Batteries will continue to grow its hugely successful partnership with the Ypsilanti, Michigan-based team, helmed by drag racing icon and team owner Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta, as primary sponsor on Grubnic’s 320+mph, 10,000-horsepower dragster at 19 NHRA national events. This extended partnership increased the number of events in 2013, up from 16 in 2012, and begins at the famed season-opening NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Pomona, California, February 14-17. The OPTIMA Batteries/Advance Auto Parts Top Fuel dragster will make its debut with Grubnic at the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., March 14-17.

“We are thrilled to be representing OPTIMA Batteries again on our dragster this season,” Grubnic said, a 49-year old resident of Bozeman, Montana. “OPTIMA Batteries have proven to be the best high-performance batteries on the market. This extended partnership provides a wonderful opportunity for me and our team to continue helping promote their leading products.”

Native Australian Grubnic began driving Top Fuel dragsters in the United States in 1995 and earned his first career victory with Kalitta Motorsports in 2005 in Topeka, Kan. becoming the first racer born outside North America to win an NHRA Top Fuel event. Grubnic repeated his Kansas feat last season by winning again in Topeka last summer.

OPTIMA Batteries will also continue as a major associate sponsor on Kalitta Motorsports’ remaining fleet of nitro-fueled racers, including the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster driven by Doug Kalitta, the Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry Funny Car driven by Alexis DeJoria, and the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car driven by Del Worsham.