NHRA driver Scott Kalitta Rest in peace
 

A true legend in the sport will be missed :(

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080622/..._driver_killed

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. - Scott Kalitta died Saturday when his Funny Car burst into flames and crashed at the end of the track during the final round of qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

The NHRA said the 46-year-old Kalitta ? the 1994 and 1995 Top Fuel season champion who had 18 career victories, 17 in Top Fuel and one in Funny Car ? was taken to the Old Bridge division of Raritan Bay Medical Center, where he died a short time later.

Kalitta's Toyota Solara was traveling at about 300 mph when it burst into flames.

The Palmetto, Fla., resident started his career at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in 1982. His father, Connie Kalitta, was a longtime driver and team owner known as "The Bounty Hunter," and his cousin, Doug Kalitta, also drives competitively.

"We are deeply saddened and want to pass along our sincere condolences to the entire Kalitta family," the NHRA said in a statement. "Scott shared the same passion for drag racing as his legendary father, Connie. He also shared the same desire to win, becoming a two-time series world champion. He left the sport for a period of time, to devote more time to his family, only to be driven to return to the drag strip to regain his championship form. ... He will be truly missed by the entire NHRA community."

Kalitta had most of his racing success in Top Fuel, highlighted by his series titles in 1994 and 1995. He retired from racing in 1997, sitting out most of two seasons before returning for a 10-race campaign in 1999. He sat out three more seasons following that brief stint and then returned again in 2003, joining cousin Doug as a second driver for the family's two Top Fuel dragsters.

Kalitta started his pro career in Top Fuel in 1982, running limited events for four seasons before moving to Funny Car in 1986 for his first full season of competition. He returned to that category full-time in 2006.

One of only 14 drivers in NHRA history to win in both premier nitro categories, Kalitta's last victory came in Chicago in 2005 in Top Fuel. He had a runner-up finish two weeks ago in Chicago, his 36th career NHRA final-round appearance.

He's survived by his father, wife Kathy and sons Corey, 14, and Colin, 8.

NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Brad Keselowski ? a native of Rochester Hills, Mich., about 20 miles away from Kalitta's hometown of Mount Clemens ? learned the news from a television report.

"That really hits close to home," Keselowski said after winning the pole position for Saturday night's race at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wis. "(He was) a friend of my family's, and I send my thoughts and prayers out to him. That's tough to hear."

Damn, that's a shock. I used to go watch him at Heartland Park in Topeka. I met him and his Dad at the summer nationals one year. They were both really nice guys.

A real shame..tragic RIP Scott

I saw the crash on ESPN... he burst into flames, the chute melted and he hit the wall at the end of the track and exploded like a bomb.

Nobody could hold back tears including the person doing the interviews. He seemed to be well loved and respected by the whole industry.

My heart goes out to his family :(

In the event anyone wants to see the wreck, here it is:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=DziJdGwFQjU

Wow, that was brutal. At least it was fast. He probably didn't feel a thing.

that's sad -i'm not even a fan of drag or any kind of auto racing but I knew his name and his uncle's.

those guys know and accept the risk that they might die in their cars - still tragic

It's been a tough stretch for the drag racing community with the loss of Funny car driver Eric Medlen last year and now Scott Kalitta. Here's a few pics of Kalitta I took at last years Gatornationals and one of them both racing side by side.

R.I.P. Racers

http://www.thewoop.com/public_html/p...ators07/33.jpg

http://www.thewoop.com/public_html/p...ators07/34.jpg

http://www.thewoop.com/public_html/p...ators07/02.jpg

http://cacklefest.com/vegas06/Scott-Kalitta.jpg


http://www.nhra.com/2007/images/news/may/kalitta95.jpg


:(

ohhh so sad :( RIP Scoot .......

that is terrible news.
R.I.P.Scott Kalitta

Bummer. R.I.P. Scott.

That is some crazy shit that they do. :helpme

Is their any sport that has a higher fatality rate than motorsports?

I'm sure it was over for him pretty quick, but what a horrendous way to go. :(

RIP Scott Kalitta...

ADG

DAM!
Just heard this bad news :(
I've seen his dad race in Gainesville a few times years ago back when I was into that scene.

RIP :(

Looks like the explosion may have knocked him out and was not able to apply brakes or downshift. I bet they come up with a new safety feature over this.

Like a remote control brake switch that the pit crew could of activated.

But as cool and fun as "Funny Cars" are, sometimes I think they should change them.

An 8000 horsepower engine burning nitromethane inches away RIGHT IN FRONT of you.
That does not make good sense to me.

Rear Engine Rail Dragsters = much safer.

He was probably alive and felt everything until he hit the end of the track and exploded. by my count that was 9 seconds from the time the car ignited. Hold your hand over a hot stove for 9 seconds and tell me that's quick.

He wasn't naked in there. 9 seconds on fire when wearing full nomex and with a fire suppression system going off is honestly not a huge issue. It happens quite frequently. The sudden stop and explosion at the end was instantly fatal.

Terrible shame and life can be far too short.

i wish his family the best... any pics or vid of this tragedy?

no down shift. high gear only... the clutch handles the power transfer

try 'reading' the thread

yeah, it's so weird that the chute melted and wouldn't stop the car... these car burst into flames all the time.

I do not think he was awake after the engine blew up. If he was, he would have tried to slow down by going into the side wall. That car stayed straight all the way. Those guys know going head on into a wall is not the way to end a run. I tire blow out would have probably save his life. IMHO

http://www.southernledger.com/images...31150a94f7.jpg

Nothing funny about that funny car.

the crash is 20 second in...

I am sure the last two seconds of his life were pretty terrifying.