Saturday, June 21, 2008 Englishtown, N.J.
Tragedy struck the NHRA racing community again today. Scott Kalitta's Toyota burst into flames and crashed at the end of his final qualifying round for the Lucas Oil NHRA Supernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.
The DHL-sponsored Solara was traveling an estimated 300 mph when its nitro fuel system exploded and Kalitta lost control of the car. The Toyota plowed through the runoff area, through a sand trap, vaulted a catch fence and exploded against the retaining wall at the end of the course.
Kalitta was rushed to Raritan Bay Medical Center, where he was treated for traumatic injuries but declared dead a short time after arrival. Scott Kalitta was 46 years old.
Scott Kalitta is survived by his wife, Cathy, and sons, Colin and Corey.
This is the second tragedy to visit top tier drag racing in the past year. In 2007, NHRA Funny Car driver Eric Medlin died from injuries sustained in a testing accident in Gainesville, Florida.
Ironically, Scott Kalitta died at the same track where he ran his maiden race in 1982.
Kalitta was born into a drag-racing family. Sired by the famous NHRA Top Fuel racer and commercial airline owner Conrad "Connie" Kalitta "The Bounty Hunter" and cousin and teammate of Top Fuel driver and USAC Sprint Car Champion Doug Kalitta, Scott Kalitta was raised in the rarified air of the sport's pioneers.
Scott Kallita began his Top Fuel professional racing career in 1982 and went full time in Funny Car class in 1986 before moving back to the Top Fuel class. He was the NHRA Top Fuel Champion in 1994 and 1995, finished second in points in 1996 and retired at the top of his game in 1997.
Scott was one of only 14 NHRA drivers to score wins in both top Nitro classes.
After a short-lived comeback in 1999 Scott Kalitta returned to Top Fuel in 2003 and regained his place in the NHRA's top tier with a Top Five in points in 2004 and two wins in 2005.
After a switch to the Funny Car class for 2006, Kalitta struggled to find success in his family-sponsored Chevrolet Monte Carlo and had recently switched to a Toyota Solara with cargo delivery service DHL as his sponsor.
Condolences go out to his family, friends and the entire NHRA organization and competitors.
Scott will be missed.
photo credit : Associated Press
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3 months ago
Great job LJ on a sad tragedy. Was watching Nationwide qualifing on ESPN2, when they made the announcement about Scott. Very sad, great guy and he'll be missed. Althought, I follow Nascar more. I still will watch NHRA, so familiar with Scott and respect him for being a owner/driver.
from 3 months ago
what a tragedy for a close knit family ... just tragic.
the video on espn is horrible. when the car hit the bottom wall it was like a bomb exploding. so loud.
3 months ago
Thanks for the fine piece, L.J. I just heard the news.
The racing community has lost a great driver.
God Bless the Kalitta family and rest his soul.
3 months ago
Sometimes you want to howl loud for you've seen something horrific or read something that has cut you to the core. L.J, it is heartbreaking, and my deepest condolences to the family and friends. And I fear for the other racers of Scott's ilk who put their life on the line in the pursuit of sport. I think Toyota racing should relook at its safety checks for clearing that car, or as to why that nitro fuel system failed in such a manner. Thank you for the article.
from 3 months ago
Toyota just pays a team to run their bodies. Scott's car was built and maintained by his family and his father was his crew chief. The engines are custom made blocks, valve trains, fuel systems, etc.
NHRA needs to look into track safety issues. The track in Englishtown, N.J. was built in 1965 and although it had over 2,700 feet of runoff at the end ... it wasn't enough for Scott Kalitta. I don't understand why there was a concrete "Jersey Wall" at the end of the course.
Older tracks that were built in rural areas are now in urban areas due to housing development and no longer have the extra room to expand their runoffs.
Kaliita had a bad accident in Phoenix, Arizona in 2006 and the car ran over 5,000 feet into the desert outside the track. That's the safest NHRA track ... one with no end.
3 months ago
I can't believe this has happened again... not only in NHRA, but in motorsports as a whole. My heart goes out to his family and his friends... I know what it's like to be watching your favorite driver one minute, and... and then the next moment he's gone. This was the worst accident I think I've ever witnessed in my life, and I hope, like Saraswathi said, that safety makes an improvement so no family and no fan ever has to go through this again. RIP Scott, you were a great man.
from 3 months ago
these older NHRA tracks are antiques. in the '60's 300 mph runs were a dream.
in Phoenix , if you blow, a car can roll 2 miles into the desert without hitting anything.
3 months ago
Had to take Mom to town yesterday, L.J. saw it on tv when I got home. It broke my heart. What shocks me is they're playing the crash every ten minutes on national tv. I always enjoyed watching Kalitta run. My dad and I are drag racing fans and were deeply saddened. The best I can say about the situation is he died doing something he loved.
I saw the wreck the first time this morning. It was absolutely horrific, I just hope he didn't suffer too long.
God bless him and his family, friends, and fans.
Wonderful obituary for him, L.J. Great tribute to his life.
from 3 months ago
Old Bridge Raceway Park needs to be expanded or retired from the NHRA schedule.
No excuse for Scott's death.
3 months ago
Great job commemorating the life of Scott Kalitta. I watch mostly NASCAR, but appreciate the abilities of drivers in every discipline. He will be missed dearly.
3 months ago
I want to send prayers to the Kalitta Family, He will be missed in all of our hearts but never forgotten. May God keep and watch over you.
from 3 months ago
email : champion@kalittaracing.com
3 months ago
nice piece. terrible tragedy. I live like 20 minutes away from that park. All too sad
from 3 months ago
thanks Fred. it's been a horrible weekend for the NHRA.
that race track is too short for 300 mph runs these days.
i remember traveling there from Fort Dix in the '70's to watch match races.
no margin for error in Englishtown.
3 months ago
Great Article, L.J. Great Job commermoring the life of Scott Kalitta. This was a tradjedy, I can't believe this has happened again ... not only in NHRA, but in motorsports as a whole. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and fans ... I know what it's like to be watching your favorite driver one minute, and... and then the next moment he's gone. He will be missed. As a drag racing fan I am deeply saddened. Thanks for the article.
from 3 months ago
thanks man ... the least i could do.
it needed to be told.
3 months ago
I'd just like to echo everyone's thoughts. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Kalitta Family.
from 3 months ago
www.kalittaracing.com
you can actually sign off on condolences at the team's page now.
3 months ago
Great article.. this was a horrible thing that happened, and im very sorry for all of racing and all of his family.
from 3 months ago
www.kalittaracing.com has an online condolences page if you're interested.
or email: champion@kalittaracing.com
3 months ago
This is absolutely tragic. I saw the clip of this and couldn't help but tear up. This is sad stuff. RIP.
3 months ago
Brilliant article although I do not really follow the Sport I feel for his family and friends.
from 3 months ago
Thanks Jake. A death during competition is a tragedy regardless of the sport.
3 months ago
This is just so sad... The images I couldn't watch, it's so awful. Its the dangerous side of this sport. So sad for all the racing community. Very nice article....sad it had to to be written.
3 months ago
As an employee of a drag racing team our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Kalitta family and team. Scott was a great driver and a great man. I do think that some safety issues need to be addressed. Tracks like Englishtown and Ponoma need to be looked at and possibly major changes will need to be made. It is so sad that these accidents have to take place. God speed Scott Kalitta and i look foward o seeing you and Eric Medlen match racing in the heavens.
from 3 months ago
Thanks for the edit Tyler. I missed some details and should have fact checked better but I was shakin'.
Personally, I'm tired of losing drivers.
Tyler, you see these tracks every week and you know something more can be done to prevent these tragedies.
Any track built when 200 - 225 mph was top speed have got to come under scrutiny now that 300+ mph is routine.
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