Kalitta Motorsports adds Hogan as co-crew chief

Team Kalitta adds Richard Hogan as co-crew chief on the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster

YPSILANTI, Mich., (March 30, 2008) -- Famed nitro tuner Richard Hogan has been hired to be the co-crew chief on the 8,000-horspower "Big Red" Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster, driven by Doug Kalitta in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Hogan will join co-crew chief Jon Oberhofer to equally share the tuning responsibilities on 335-mph race car that runs out of the Kalitta Motorsports stable, owned by drag racing icon Connie "the Bounty Hunter" Kalitta.

"It's an honor to be given this opportunity at Kalitta Motorsports," Hogan, a resident of Ennis, Mont., said. "This organization is one of the best in the history of drag racing. I'm very excited to see what the future holds for both of us."

Hogan's career in drag racing spans four decades. He began as a crewman and has worked for some of the biggest names in the sport, including Don "Big Daddy" Garlits, Kenny Bernstein, and Don "the Snake" Prudhomme. Hogan also served on the Montana Express Top Fuel team with longtime friend and Team Kalitta driver "Aussie Dave" Grubnic. He most recently worked as a crew chief for Morgan Lucas and Melanie Troxel.

"Richard is a great fit for our entire team," Jim Oberhofer, Kalitta Motorsports General Manager, said "I've been friends with Richard for a long time, and when he became available, we knew he would be able to help us so we started pursuing him.

"My brother (Jon Oberhofer, co-crew chief on the Mac Tools dragster) was the first person to suggest we hire Richard. Jon, Connie and I all sat down and talked it over and the decision was made very quickly. We're very confident that the addition of Hogan to our team will be a big step in moving forward with the Mac Tools dragster."

Hogan will begin his new role today when final eliminations at the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Tex., are scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. (CT). The O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals is the 4th of 24 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Doug Kalitta is currently in 14th place in 2008 POWERade Top Fuel championship points.

-credit: km