
NHRA's Scott Kalitta was killed on Saturday during the final round of qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in New Jersey. Kalitta's Funny Car was traveling at an estimated 300 mph when it burst into flames and crashed at the end of the track.
Kalitta, the 1994 and 1995 Top Fuel season champion. was taken to the Old Bridge division of Raritan Bay Medical Center where he died a short time later.
The NHRA said in a statement:
“We are deeply saddened and want to pass along our sincere condolences to the entire Kalitta family. 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.”
Scott Kalitta was 46 and is survived by his father, wife Kathy and sons Corey, 14, and Colin, 8.
Our thoughts go out to the Kalitta family.
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