Joe Soriano
O.J. LewisScott Kalitta Killed in Crash During NHRA Qualifying
June 22nd 2008 01:20
Scott Kalitta Killed in Crash During NHRA Qualifying
46 year old NHRA driver Scott Kalitta was killed in an accident during qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Englishtown - Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Old Bridge, New Jersey.
ESPN showed video of the crash which was rather disturbing. The race started, and Kalitta’s car took a big early lead. Then halfway down the track there was an explosion, an explosion so strong that is blew off most of the body of the car in tiny pieces. Eyewitnesses say that after the explosion it seemed like Kalitta was knocked unconscious as they saw no movement, and he did not attempt to slow his car. The car, now a fast-moving fireball continued down the track, over a dirt strip, through a small fence, and finally crashing into the concrete retaining wall at the very end of the track. Some estimates put the car at about 200mph, others closer to 300mph. For me the 200mph source seemed a bit more reliable. Either way, with that kind of impact at that kind of speed you have to expect the worst. People who have been around the sport for a long time stated that the chances of someone not being killed by a crash like Kalitta's were slim to none. Personally, I would have to agree, he was sitting in a fireball and hit a concrete wall at 200 mph, how can someone walk away from that? He was transported to the Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge, and it is reported he died a short time after arriving there.
Scott Kalitta was a second-generation NHRA driver, his dad Connie Kalitta nicknamed, “The Bounty Hunter”, was a longtime driver and team owner. His cousin Doug is also a competitive driver. Scott’s 26 year career actually started at this same Old Bridge track back in 1982. He was the Top Fuel season champion in 1994 and 95, and had 18 career wins, 17 of which were in a Top Fuel car, plus one in a Funny Car.
Scott was born in Rochester Hills, Michigan, but was currently living in Palmetto, Florida. He is survived by his wife Kathy, and sons Corey and Colin.
Our prayers go out to his family and friends.
ESPN has now added video clips on their web site.
Warning: The first clip includes the accident from start to finish. It is hard to watch knowing what the outcome was.
All videos courtesy of ESPN.
Scott Kalitta, NHRA driver dead at 46.
46 year old NHRA driver Scott Kalitta was killed in an accident during qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Englishtown - Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Old Bridge, New Jersey.
ESPN showed video of the crash which was rather disturbing. The race started, and Kalitta’s car took a big early lead. Then halfway down the track there was an explosion, an explosion so strong that is blew off most of the body of the car in tiny pieces. Eyewitnesses say that after the explosion it seemed like Kalitta was knocked unconscious as they saw no movement, and he did not attempt to slow his car. The car, now a fast-moving fireball continued down the track, over a dirt strip, through a small fence, and finally crashing into the concrete retaining wall at the very end of the track. Some estimates put the car at about 200mph, others closer to 300mph. For me the 200mph source seemed a bit more reliable. Either way, with that kind of impact at that kind of speed you have to expect the worst. People who have been around the sport for a long time stated that the chances of someone not being killed by a crash like Kalitta's were slim to none. Personally, I would have to agree, he was sitting in a fireball and hit a concrete wall at 200 mph, how can someone walk away from that? He was transported to the Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge, and it is reported he died a short time after arriving there.
Scott Kalitta's red & yellow DHL Toyota Solara
Scott was born in Rochester Hills, Michigan, but was currently living in Palmetto, Florida. He is survived by his wife Kathy, and sons Corey and Colin.
Our prayers go out to his family and friends.
ESPN has now added video clips on their web site.
Warning: The first clip includes the accident from start to finish. It is hard to watch knowing what the outcome was.
All videos courtesy of ESPN.
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