Scott Kalitta RIP
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2007
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From: Windward, Oahu
Scott Kalitta RIP
(06-21) 15:52 PDT Englishtown, N.J. (AP) --
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.
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.
Goshusho-sama~
Sad day, but I swear, he's a lucky one. Doing what he loved to do, no prolonged suffering; I can sure think of a lot of worse ways to go. My heart goes out to his family and team. RIP Scott!
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: CA
I've been seeing this on ESPNEWS and saw the replay of the accident but if anyone hasn't and was curious:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DziJdGwFQjU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DziJdGwFQjU
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,331
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From: Miami, Florida
Very sad. I had dinner tonight in Palmetto, Florida which is just across the bridge from where I live and the people there were talking about this as Scott is a resident of Palmetto. Very sad for all of us here.
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For those who don't follow the sport the car exploding is deceptive, this happens quite frequently in funny cars, he was most likely killed by impact with the shutdown wall, watch the impact at the end, with the chutes not deploying and the body off the car he was probably still traveling 200 mph, Englishtown has one of the shortest shutdown areas I have seen and this will have to be addressed as fuel cars run in the 330's, a number of different tracks have sand pits and then nets to stop runaways but that wall after the sandtrap makes no sense, RIP Scott.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
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From: The Woodlands, TX
For those who don't follow the sport the car exploding is deceptive, this happens quite frequently in funny cars, he was most likely killed by impact with the shutdown wall, watch the impact at the end, with the chutes not deploying and the body off the car he was probably still traveling 200 mph, Englishtown has one of the shortest shutdown areas I have seen and this will have to be addressed as fuel cars run in the 330's, a number of different tracks have sand pits and then nets to stop runaways but that wall after the sandtrap makes no sense, RIP Scott.
RIP
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Houston, Republic of Texas
Terrible news! Thousands of old NHRA fans, recall when his Dad, Connie, campaigned "The Bounty Hunter", and regularly faced "Big Daddy" Don Garlits and Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, back in the early days of "organized" drag racing. Scott got his start as a kid hanging around the pits in those days and later became an important member of the Kalitta team as a teen. He grew into a fine racer and champion; becoming one of the true legends of the sport, moving out from under his Dad's long shadow.
We remember Scott, his family, and many friends. Our prayers for the peace and comfort of his wife, Kathy; and sons, Corey and Colin, and of course his Dad, Connie, in this time of sorrow. The racing community is the less for his passing.
We remember Scott, his family, and many friends. Our prayers for the peace and comfort of his wife, Kathy; and sons, Corey and Colin, and of course his Dad, Connie, in this time of sorrow. The racing community is the less for his passing.
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