NHRA Champ Scott Kalitta dies in crash

[scooter1369]

More news to come from English Town

Two-time Top Fuel champ Kalitta killed during SuperNationals qualifying
Associated Press

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

State police confirmed that the 46-year-old Kalitta, a two-time Top Fuel champion who had 18 career victories, was killed in the accident.

Witnesses told The Star-Ledger of Newark that Kalitta's Toyota Solara was traveling at an estimated speed of 300 mph when the crash occurred.

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.

 

[BuckNutty]

Was it fiery?

 

[scooter1369]

Was it fiery?

I just saw the crash, and my god yes it was. His car exploded near the finish line and then never slowed and hit the back stop at over 300mph

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

Just got home from the Raceway... and am actually glad I left when I did... since I had my son and another young boy with me... would have freaked them out since the horrendous noise already were freaking them out...

We even passed Scott's car when we were leaving... eerie

 

[scooter1369]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DziJdGwFQjU]YouTube - Scott Kalitta Fatal Crash 6/21/08[/ame]

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

Just talked about this with my son... he asked if they canceled the race... told him the show still goes on... they would clear off the track and continue.. he's got a bewildered stare...

Got numerous friends at that race.. one is a top Goodyear official who is the one who called and told me what happened... but also relayed that the event would last longer into the night...

but another friend qualified today in the Pro Stock about 2 hours before the explosion... the euphoria at his pit was unbridled... he was holding his young son and telling him how great Dad did today...

wondering what he's thinking now... don't want to call him to ask.. because I don't want to mess up his head with finals being tomorrow... but this has to put a real dent in ones pysche... you look at your wife and kids and you're ecstatic that you qualified for the finals... but the reality of how mega-dangerous this is... plus he still had another qualifying run to see if he could move up

can't imagine how tight my ass would be for those runs

Scott's car blew up at 300 mph... he never had a chance

 

[scooter1369]

Must have been a difficult conversation with your boy. Best of luck to your buddy tomorrow.

 

[COTiger]

Scott's car blew up at 300 mph... he never had a chance

I'm a casual NHRA fan, love John Force.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears as though a lot of the tracks they race on today aren't equipped to handle the speeds they are running. Particularly the length of the run out lanes.

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

I've watched the clip 25 times... and you are absolutely right.,..

It's obvious Scott was unconscience at the first engine explosion.. because the brake on these cars is a small red button one inch from the left thumb... the most effortless motion in these cars..

His car goes right thru the slow down area.. and right into the restraining fence... without that mere fence, I am parked directly behind there !!!

Strange that I was sitting at the starting line an hour earlier and wondering how I would get us out of trouble if the cars tumbled over the wall...

His father is probably one of the most infamous drivers in that Nitro class...

 

[COTiger]

I've watched the clip 25 times...

His father is probably one of the most infamous drivers in that Nitro class

Once was enough for me. And I'm old enough to remember Connie when he raced TF. Classic battles with Bernstein.