Paul Lee will become the fifth driver for Kalitta Racing, driving a third Funny Car team for the Ypsilanti, Mich.-based operation. Although the move was speculated for weeks, the official announcement came on Friday at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals in Sonoma, Ca.

Lee will drive the McCleod Clutches Toyota Camry starting at the NHRA Keystone Nationals in Reading, Ca.

"I don't know if I can describe how huge this is to me, cannot put it in words; ever since I was 13 years old and went to my first drag racing, driving a nitro Funny Car is what I always wanted to do," admitted Lee. "I have worked with this goal in mind every step of the way, and this is clearly the best opportunity I've ever had ahead of me."

Kalitta Racing GM Jim Oberhofer said this is the first time Kalitta has ever campaigned five cars.

"It's going to be a lot of work for sure," said Oberhofer. "I remember when we talked about expanding to two cars and then three. It's an honor to work with Paul Lee. 

"Paul will own the car, but we will service the car with good and proven parts. This will help both of us. This car will not be filler; it will be capable of winning."

Having a legitimate chance to win in an NHRA fuel class will be a new experience for Lee.

"This will be a new experience, leaving the starting line and knowing I have a really good chance to win," Lee said. "It will be up to me, and I am looking forward to the opportunity."

Lee will be pilot Worsham’s 2015 championship car with the DHL team acquiring a new Bounty Hunter chassis for the latter part of the season. 

Lee started drag racing at age 18 in his home state of New Jersey. Lee drove Top Alcohol Funny Cars from 1988 until 2005 and won three NHRA National Event titles and one divisional race. He stepped up to the Nitro Funny Cars in 2005 and has one Professional Nitro Funny Car title, winning the IHRA Motor City Nationals in 2008. 

Oberhofer said the process of determining a crew chief is ongoing.