According to the Associated Press, NHRA Driver was killed Saturday while racing his funny car in the final round for the Lucas Oil NHRA Super Nationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ. His car went up in flames and crashed into a wall. My condolences and prayers goes out to the Kalitta Family. He is survived by his father ,Connie Kalitta, wife Kathy and sons, Corey and Collin. He and his family resided in Palmetto, Florida.
Scott ,46, started his career in Top Fuel in 1982. For over 25 years he has been driving race cars. Scott was a two time American Drag Racing Champion. He had 18 Career Victories.
According to Scott Kalitta's Bio on NHRA.Com, his Career highlight includes:
2007: Qualified for 16 of 23 races; Reached the semis at Denver
2006: Returned to Funny Car; Advanced out of the first round at three of last six events; Advanced to semifinals at Richmond
2005: Earned two victories in two final-round appearances; Set a career best elapsed time at Pomona 1; Qualified for all 23 events and was in the top half of the field in 13 events
2004: Earned one victory in two final round appearances; Clocked career-best time; Was No. 1 qualifier at both Las Vegas events; Earned his sixth top-five points finish in POWERade Series
2003: Returned to competition after nearly three-year absence; advanced to two final rounds; clocked fastest speed in history at 333.95 mph but failed to certify mark as national record
1999: Made brief comeback and advanced to one final round in 10 starts
1997: Won Topeka for fourth consecutive season; Announced retirement in October
1996: Earned a $100,000 bonus for winning the Budweiser Shootout at Pomona; Finished second in Top Fuel standings; Recorded top speed at a category-best eight races
1995: Won second consecutive NHRA Top Fuel championship; Was runner-up at Budweiser Shootout at Pomona; Won six events and a career-best 45 rounds of eliminations
1994: Earned first career NHRA championship; Became first Top Fuel driver in NHRA history to win four consecutive races (Columbus, Topeka, Denver and Sonoma); Won five events overall
1993: Captured one event victory (Topeka), his first in Top Fuel; Recorded fastest speed in NHRA history (308.64 mph) at Topeka; Became fourth member of the Slick 50 300-mph Club at Gainesville
1989: Won first career event at Houston in Funny Car
1988: Qualified No. 1 for first time in career (Baton Rouge)
In a statement the NHRA said, "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."
