Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
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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.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

Wow that really sucks! I love drag racing a close second to sprint cars but this is starting to worry me

lost a good guy.didnt need to race,but the love of it kept him coming back.makes us all think twice,but in the end it's just what we do.rest in peace SCOTT,from all us once a week dirt racers,THIS BUD'S FOR YOU!!!!

Oh dear God...

www.sprintcardaily.com

RIP.

Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH 
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better 
weather." Van May

R.I.P.

dttfowtm   ... 
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely 
in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in 
sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy ****! What 
a ride!"
"Pennsylvania is Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with 
Alabama in between." 
"My father always used to say that when you die, if 
you've got five real friends, then you've had a great 
life." 
"I do not know with what weapons World War III will be 
fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks 
and stones."

This was a shocking crash and Scott will be a huge loss to the racing community. Maybe an accident like this will go a long way to improving safety. The runnoffs at many of these venues seem way too short and this tragic crash will prove that something needs to change. The video shows the car explode in flames at the 1/8 mile mark. He was probably close to 300mph at this point with no possible way to stop the car, he hit the barrier/wall at the end of the dragstrip, where the car completely disintegrated.

I saw the crash and yes it looked pretty bad. I think he probably passed out at the initial blown engine and fire and wasn't able to stop. I think there has to be a barrier/wall at every track or the car would contine to go into the trees or whatever else is at the end track. It is such a sad loss in the motorsports world and although I don't know too much about the NHRA I remember Scott Kalitta being a great racer and seemed to be a nice guy who everyone talked very highly about. I also know that he died today at the first place he ever raced at in 1982. I really hope he didn't suffer in this horrible crash and I feel for his family in their grieving process. RIP Funny car driver Scott Kalitta.

Winged sprintcars = the fastest and most exciting 
racecars on dirt! 

Very tragic event. Looked like the car never slowed down after it burst into flames. One of if not the worst crash I've ever seen in motorsports. RIP Scott.

rip, sad day.

Very tragic... and extremely saddening... I'd have to agree with Cruz who said they need more runoff there. Seems like a very short buffer zone there with very little runoff. They need more nets or something to slow/catch a car in a situation like Scott's. ESPN2's coverage of the deal was as classy as could be in such a situation with touching interviews and reactions from Scott's extended family members. Just a sad deal ... RIP

Phil Taylor

Home Theater Systems Advice, Tips and General BS ;)

I'm stunned, I'm a big fan and was looking forward to him getting the funny car sorted and making a showing.

I can't believe it.

 Tragic indeed...

Airports have a huge runoff area for airplanes coming in at 130mph, I would think that they would/could have larger runoff areas for cars traveling well over 300mph.

Provisionals, Fuel Stops & 
Rubberdown Tracks Suck! ©

RIP Scott, very sad day in motorsports!!!!!

The track was an older track, one of the oldest on the circuit. It had a shorter than average run off area. Other tracks have double or triple the run off space, PLUS they do not have a wall at the end of them. (I'm pretty sure its because there is a road right there behind it?!).

The chutes were out (if he pulled them, or the car body exploding pulled them out). Its a tragic accident that maybe could have been avoided.

I guess no one thinks about safety till someone dies!

The chutes were out, but all tangled up & therefore not doing anything to slow the car down.

Best Wishes to the Kalitta Family!