Global Electronic Technology, the fastest name in credit card processing, has extended their partnership agreement with Kalitta Motorsports for the 2019 NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Drag Racing season.
Global Electronic Technology is in their third year partnering with Team Kalitta and will continue as the primary colors on the Global Toyota Camry Funny Car driven by Shawn Langdon. After starting as an associate sponsor in 2017, Global Electronic Technology quickly became a full-time sponsor by the fifth race of the season with Langdon joining the team. In addition to the primary sponsorship, the organization will continue as an associate sponsor on the three other Kalitta Motorsports fielded nitro cars piloted by 2018 NHRA Funny Car World Champion J.R. Todd and Top Fuel drivers Doug Kalitta and Richie Crampton.
Kalitta Motorsports, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary in NHRA this season, also welcomes back Del Worsham as co-crew chief of the Global Funny Car entry. Worsham previously served as crew chief with Kalitta Motorsports in 2012 before taking over driving duties to become one of only three drivers in NHRA history to earn championships in both the Funny Car (2015 with Team Kalitta) and Top Fuel (2011).
“This year, not only are we racing again with Kalitta Motorsports and proud to do so, but we have the addition of Del Worsham who is going to be in charge of the Global Funny Car,” said Global Electronic Technology Founder and CEO Steve Bryson. “We feel certain we have a fair shot at not only wins, but even a World Championship with Shawn Langdon. Having Del on the team is immeasurable in terms of value and it is with great honor we spend another year here with him and Connie Kalitta, the rad man himself. This is going to be fun, but we’re not here to play, so look out folks, we’re coming for the Wally.”
Worsham will partner with Team Kalitta crew chief Nicky Boninfante on the Global Camry Funny Car. Boninfante was co-crew chief on Worsham’s Funny Car in 2015 when they won the championship.
“After spending the last two races of 2018 with the Global Electronic Technology team and working with Team Kalitta, it wasn’t a hard decision to make when the job offer was presented,” said Worsham. “Being a former Kalitta employee and champion, then watching J.R. Todd put the DHL Funny Car back into the championship for Team Kalitta, and adding the excitement and commitment of Steve and Samantha Bryson, I figured we couldn’t go wrong. Nicky (Boninfante) and I have worked magic together before and I would love nothing more than to bring that to the Global Funny Car. They have a championship-caliber driver in Shawn Langdon, the guys on the crew that have been part of our former championship team, a team owner that will give you every resource to succeed and a sponsor/friend who shares the same goals and enthusiasm. The Phoenix test session cannot get here fast enough along with the first race in Pomona for the start of the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello season.”
In addition to the Global Electronic Technology Funny Car team being set for the 2019 season opener at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California next week, the other Kalitta Motorsports teams have also finalized crew chief plans.
Kurt Elliott, who joined Team Kalitta in 2018, moves to co-crew chief of the DHL Top Fuel entry driven by Crampton alongside team owner/crew chief Connie Kalitta. Meanwhile, Rob Flynn continues with the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster driven by Doug Kalitta after joining crew chief Troy Fasching last year. Todd’s championship winning team will remain the same with Jon Oberhofer and Todd Smith sharing crew chief duties.
The 2019 NHRA Drag Racing 24-race season kicks off at the NHRA WinterNationals in Pomona on Feb. 8-10. Team Kalitta will also participate in a closed test session at Wild Horse Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona on Jan. 30-Feb. 2.
This story was originally published on January 29, 2019. 
