SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 16, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kalitta Motorsports, the elite NHRA team that races with Champion® spark plugs from Federal-Mogul Motorparts, is off to a strong start of the 2016 NHRA season. After two events, the Michigan-based team currently sits atop the points standings in the NHRA’s Top Fuel class, and Kalitta’s four cars hold two of the top ten spots each in the Top Fuel and Funny Car standings.
Federal-Mogul Motorparts is a division of Federal-Mogul Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ:FDML). The company’s long-standing relationship with Kalitta Motorsports has enabled the development of several models of high-performance spark plugs designed for the demanding world of NHRA drag racing. The latest version of Top Fuel racing plug, the Champion N12042M, has recently undergone extensive testing by Kalitta Motorsports.
Jim Oberhofer, vice president of operations, Kalitta Motorsports, said, “While we have always enjoyed great and consistent performance, and even an NHRA Funny Car World Championship running both the Champion N1043Y and 1029S spark plugs in all of the Kalitta Motorsports nitro burning racecars, we are excited about the new Champion N12042M Top Fuel plug! Through early testing, we have seen better performances and more reliability running the N12042M, and this should lead to great runs and more race wins for Team Kalitta."
The current NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series standings have Doug Kalitta holding the top spot in Top Fuel, with teammate J.R. Todd in the 8th position. In Funny Car, Kalitta Motorsports driver Del Worsham currently sits in 4th place, and teammate Alexis DeJoria holds the 8th spot.
“The Champion brand has a long history of providing excellent performance in racing,” said Mike Proud, director of marketing, Federal-Mogul Motorparts. “Kalitta Motorsports also has a long tradition of excellence and winning, so our sponsorship is a perfect fit. We also believe that product development and testing with Kalitta Motorsports helps us produce better consumer products, because the same level of commitment to engineering excellence goes into plugs for the track and for the street.”
The 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues on March 17 in Gainesville, Fla. For more information, visit www.teamkalitta.com.
To learn more about Champion spark plugs, visit www.ChampionAutoParts.com.
About Federal-Mogul
Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:FDML) is a leading global supplier of products and services to the world’s manufacturers and servicers of vehicles and equipment in the automotive, light, medium and heavy-duty commercial, marine, rail, aerospace, power generation and industrial markets. The company’s products and services enable improved fuel economy, reduced emissions and enhanced vehicle safety.
Federal-Mogul operates two independent business divisions, each with a chief executive officer reporting to Federal-Mogul's Board of Directors.
Federal-Mogul Motorparts sells and distributes a broad portfolio of products through more than 20 of the world’s most recognized brands in the global vehicle aftermarket, while also serving original equipment vehicle manufacturers with products including braking, chassis, wipers and other vehicle components. The company’s aftermarket brands include ANCO® wiper blades; Champion® spark plugs, wipers and filters; AE®, Fel-Pro®, FP Diesel®, Goetze®, Glyco®, Nüral®, Payen® and Sealed Power® engine products; MOOG® chassis components; and Ferodo®, Jurid® and Wagner® brake products.
Federal-Mogul Powertrain designs and manufactures original equipment powertrain components and systems protection products for automotive, heavy-duty, industrial and transport applications.
Federal-Mogul was founded in Detroit in 1899 and maintains its worldwide headquarters in Southfield, Michigan. The company employs nearly 50,000 in 34 countries. For more information, please visit www.FMMotorparts.com.
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