NHRA driver Scott Kalitta killed in crash

[wmenorr67]

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (AP) -- 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."

Last year, Funny Car driver Eric Medlen died after an accident in a testing session at Gainesville, Fla.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/racing/more/06/21/bc.car.nhra.driverkille.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

His dad Connie is one of the pioneers of the sport.  Tragic loss.

[Fly320s]

Kalitta's Toyota Solara was traveling at about 300 mph

   Damn, that's a fast family car.

I didn't even know that Toyota was in the drag racing sport.

[Dannyboy]

That's a damn shame.

Even worse is that this is the second fatality in the last year+.  I'm waiting for Congress to call for a ban on drag racing.

[wmenorr67]

Kalitta's Toyota Solara was traveling at about 300 mph

   Damn, that's a fast family car.

I didn't even know that Toyota was in the drag racing sport.

Not sure what kind of support they give to the teams.  This was a Funny Car and the only thing that looks like a Toyota is the body.  Everything else is "special" made.

[Lennyjoe]

I was watching qualifying yesterday when they cut away and then came back on an hour later.  Showed the crash and spent the next hour honoring the man and talking to fellow drivers.

I've been to many events in the past.  Me and the wife are going to Norwalk, Ohio next weekend for the Summit Nationals. We purchased the tickets in Jan.  Its the track I ran cars down when i was in high school.

I met Scott in passing one day at the 2006 national time trials in Phoenix.  Just a quick hello and how's the car running.  Nothing more.  Nice guy.  I pray for his family.

Englishtown has a very short run off area.  Not that it would of mattered since his car was going well over 200 mph when it went into the sand.  I think Tony Pedregon said it best when he pointed out that the cars are getting faster and the run off is still the same.  NHRA needs to address that part of the track.

[Brad Johnson]

From the snippit on the news it looked like his chute didn't deploy.  Makes me wonder if he was hit by engine debris during the explosion, leaving him unable to pop the chute.  Or maybe the chutes got fubar'd by the shredding body work.

Brad

[wmenorr67]

I have not been able to see a video but I saw a still.  More than likely the chutes were fubar'd in the fire.

Plus it is quite possible he was unable to deploy the chutes if they were operable.

[mfree]

Saw the video, drogues were out, mains probably fouled.

[Lennyjoe]

Yea seen the chute go out but didn't open enough to help. Normally when a funny blows that bad the driver tends to hop the rear a bit when jerking the brake handle. The car didn't seem to slow down like it would if the brake was pulled.  Hard to tell though from the video.  I wonder if Scott was unconsious after the motor blew.  Either way, he died doing what he loved. He'll be missed.  Was evident yesterday during the finals.  All Killetta cars were pulled feom competition.

[mfree]

I have heard (hearsay, grain of salt et. al.) that Kalitta struck the concrete pylon that held the safety net in place, as well as pinging a camera crane.

I've seen overhead views of the track now, and there's not a straight wall at the end, it curves around like a snail trap. As far as this goes I'm going to consider this on the level of Mike Waltrip's Bristol crash in the 80's... a pure fluke, but a fatal one this time.

[RioShooter]

His dad Connie is one of the pioneers of the sport.

That's a fact.  I grew-up with drag racing in the 60's, and Connie Kalitta was leader in the sport.  He raced against guys like "Swamp Rat" Garlits, "Golden Greek" Karamesines, "Snake" Prudhomme, and others at the top of the sport. 

[wmenorr67]

Hey Rio,

Does the name Steve Carbone ring a bell for ya?

[RioShooter]

Hey Rio,

Does the name Steve Carbone ring a bell for ya?

It sure does.  His 1971 win over Garlits at the "Nationals" is one of the greatest races of all time.

I suppose you know that he died a couple of years ago.

[Lennyjoe]

Just spent the weekend at Norwalk raceway for the Summit Nationals.  All of the Kellita teams were there to include his dad.  They had a very nice tribute for him this morning.  The majority of the NHRA teams had shirts on honoring Scott. Was an awesome weekend for all.  Even Scott cuz I believe he was watching with Eric Medlen by his side.

[wmenorr67]

Hey Rio,

Does the name Steve Carbone ring a bell for ya?

It sure does.  His 1971 win over Garlits at the "Nationals" is one of the greatest races of all time.

I suppose you know that he died a couple of years ago.

Yeah, knew him personally.  He used to own a micro sprint track in Tulsa and got to know him from there.  Was out of town when he passed and didn't find out until cruising the next a few months later.  Sucked because I knew his wife and kids also and didn't get to offer my condolences.