NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

After successful endeavors in 2022 and 2023 generating a combined 1.5 million meals, Kalitta Motorsports, long-time partner DHL Express and Kalitta Air are partnering again to accelerate the fight against food insecurity by helping those who need it most — working families, children, and senior citizens — through a six-race program in 2024: The “Race to End Hunger.” New this year, five additional partners join the program: Applied Innovation, Dayco, Future Energy Solutions, Revchem Composites, and Toyota. 

The United States Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as “a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in the household to live an active, healthy life.” Partnering with Feeding America, the largest charity working to end hunger in the United States, DHL, Kalitta Motorsports, Kalitta Air, and five new partners will support the race to end food insecurity. 

During the 2023 “Race to End Hunger” check presentation at the In-N-Out Burger Finals Nov. 10, 2023 in Pomona, Calif., DHL Express, Kalitta Motorsports, and Kalitta Air presented the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank with a check for one million meals. Pictured, left to right, are DHL Express VP and General Manager Nemer Abohasen, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank Marketing Content Manager Olivia Cervantes, Mac Tools Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta, and Kalitta Air Careers Top Fuel driver Shawn Langdon.

During the next six NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events, every time Team Kalitta drivers Doug Kalitta, J.R. Todd, or Shawn Langdon turn on a race-day win light, Kalitta Motorsports will donate $1,000, DHL, Kalitta Air, and the new partners will match it with their own $1,000 donations, making each race-day win light worth $4,000 or, more importantly, some 40,000 meals.

Feeding America established Hunger Action Month in 2008 to create a nationwide push to address the hunger crisis across the United States. Each September, people work to feed the hungry in their communities by helping the 49 million people who live with hunger every day. 

Food deprivation affects people of all ages; some 13 million children throughout the country go to school without a proper breakfast leading to difficulty focusing in the classroom. Families facing hunger are forced to decide between buying food and paying for housing, transportation, or medical bills.  

The expanded program kicks off at next week’s Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis Aug. 30-Sept. 2 and will continue at the next five races: the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, Sept. 13-15 in Reading, the NHRA Carolina Nationals, Sept. 20-22 in Charlotte, the NHRA Midwest Nationals, Sept. 27-29 in Chicago, the Texas NHRA FallNationals, Oct. 11-13 in Dallas, and the NHRA Nevada Nationals, Nov. 1-3 in Las Vegas.   

The five new companies joining the effort this year will each be a “double-down partner” at the following races, although their contributions will be spread throughout the program: 

• Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals: Applied Innovation
• NHRA Carolina Nationals: Future Energy Solutions 
• Texas NHRA FallNationals: Toyota 
• Nevada NHRA Nationals: Dayco and Revchem Composites

By scanning the QR code at the six racetracks, through social media posts or by clicking here, fans can join the fight with a personal donation. Every online donation enters the donor into a drawing for a VIP experience for two at the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series race of the winner’s choice.  

“The number of families that struggle with food insecurity every day in our country is truly heartbreaking, and we are proud to work with our partners at DHL to support Feeding America in this incredibly important program,” Team Kalitta driver Doug Kalitta said. “We’re happy to welcome five great companies to the fight this year, making each Kalitta Motorsports win light worth $4,000 in these six races. We hope to turn on a lot of win lights, and we also hope the NHRA community will join the effort and donate, so we can fight hunger together.” 

Every dollar raised through the “Race to End Hunger” will provide at least 10 meals. This partnership to fight hunger relief nationwide is part of DHL’s sole goal of connecting people and improving lives, which guides all the company’s efforts and operations, underscoring its values and mission to ultimately better society.

“The burden of not knowing where the next meal will come from is a harsh reality that no one should have to endure,” said Nemer Abohasen, VP and general manager, DHL Express. “With inflation driving up the cost of basic necessities, many families are struggling more than ever to put food on the table. That’s why we are committed to rallying our employees and joining forces with our long-time partners, Kalitta Motorsports, Kalitta Air, and Feed America, to support millions of families across the country. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and help those battling food insecurity as we race to end hunger in our communities.”

“This fight against hunger is a must win for our country,” Kalitta Air Deputy Chief Operating Officer Heath Nicholl said. “The numbers are staggering, and families having to choose between feeding their children and putting a roof over their heads is tragic. We can do better – we must do better. We hope, through this mutual effort, we can help Feeding America make progress in the battle against food insecurity.”

Through the “Race to End Hunger,” Kalitta Motorsports will actively engage the NHRA community through social media posts, race reports, and at-track promotions. Click here for more information about the “Race to End Hunger.” For more information about Feeding America, please visit www.feedingamerica.org.