Scott Kalitta

Anoriginal · June 22, 2008, 12:49:49 PM

Most of you have probably heard. Scott Kalitta was killed yesterday at Old Bridge Raceway in New Jersey. Horrible wreck.

His wife, Kathy and his sons, Colin and Cory could use all the prayers you can give. Scott was a long time close friend of mine. I am proud to have known him both professionally and personally. He was a great guy, a good friend and an awesome family man. Godspeed Scott.

Bigscrb15 · June 22, 2008, 01:31:35 PM

definitely sending out our prayers to his family.

MedicMudder · June 22, 2008, 02:08:55 PM

That is horrible may God bless him and he family.He died doing what he loved,but we all wish he was here still doing it.

susieblazer · June 22, 2008, 02:35:22 PM

He is with Dale now.............

lil fat rider · June 22, 2008, 03:29:10 PM

he was my dads friends best friend and he just borsted nto tears when he found out

Young Gun · June 22, 2008, 04:03:45 PM

Wow...

trx#9 · June 22, 2008, 04:17:39 PM

Where is the sand trap? You think they would have more slow down time than that.
RIP

Fox17 · June 22, 2008, 09:17:46 PM

man that wreck sent chills down my back. my prayers are with the family and friends. i too think a longer sand trap is needed.

SlowJoeRacing · June 22, 2008, 09:23:27 PM

i was watching that last night
it was very sad.

Da_Mtg_Man · June 22, 2008, 10:01:47 PM

That is very sad. God rest his soul.

kenz · June 22, 2008, 10:48:48 PM

I used to follow drag racing pretty close years ago. the sport lost a great person.

Sorry for the loss of your friend. God be with you and his family.

Quote from: Anoriginal on June 22, 2008, 12:49:49 PM
Most of you have probably heard. Scott Kalitta was killed yesterday at Old Bridge Raceway in New Jersey. Horrible wreck.

His wife, Kathy and his sons, Colin and Cory could use all the prayers you can give. Scott was a long time close friend of mine. I am proud to have known him both professionally and personally. He was a great guy, a good friend and an awesome family man. Godspeed Scott.

bignickwaite · June 22, 2008, 11:55:07 PM

holy F*** man im sorry to hear that

BIGREDTIDE · June 23, 2008, 11:21:10 AM

Looks like the explosion knocked him out, then burnt the chutes off. He never touched the brakes. Sad. His Dad has been racing since the 50s'.

The funny cars have to be the most dangerous ride in all of NHRA. Sitting just behind that Nitro motor....is just plain scary.

I watched the NHRA finals last night....great show, great & close racing. Was an awesome tribute to Scott Kalitta.

He was scheduled to go out against Robert Hight in the First Round...the very first Funny Cars out. Hight lined up, then many of the Kalitta crew walked out to the lane (where Kalitta would have been) and when the light went off.... Hight just let the clutch out and "idled" down the entire 1/4 mile. Quite an emotional moment.

Smoknbanshee · June 23, 2008, 03:39:59 PM

Very emotional. Sand trap would not of helped that accident. The net they have at some tracks might of helped, but that was a wicked accident. Very sad, but it was a great tribute to Scott. Robert Hight and all the NHRA guys were FIRST CLASS last night. Really shows you how much of a family they all are. God be with all the family and friends.

CABLEGUY1 · June 23, 2008, 09:19:54 PM

Someone at work today said he died at the hospital. I would have thought he went instantly. Does anyone know if thats true? Very very tragic.

Da_Mtg_Man · June 23, 2008, 09:46:18 PM

If I were a betting man (which I am) then I would bet that the 2nd explosion took him to be with the lord. My.02

BIGREDTIDE · June 23, 2008, 11:11:57 PM

Quote from: CABLEGUY1 on June 23, 2008, 09:19:54 PM
Someone at work today said he died at the hospital. I would have thought he went instantly. Does anyone know if thats true? Very very tragic.

Well, I heard the same. Maybe it was "officially" announced at the hospital, but it's very likely that impact was the end. Man...it's just so sad.

Turboderf · June 24, 2008, 01:37:40 AM

that really sucks .... what happen to the video

eldiablo64 · June 24, 2008, 03:25:42 PM

on tv they said he was barely alive when they got him out of the car and he died at the hospital.

BIGREDTIDE · June 24, 2008, 03:32:06 PM

Quote from: Turboderf on June 24, 2008, 01:37:40 AM
that really sucks .... what happen to the video

NHRA has pulled it from all hosting sites. It was a matter of time.

Bleedsblue · June 24, 2008, 05:48:47 PM

There was a net at the end of the sand pit before the wall at that speed it didn't make a difference. The first explosion may have stunned him but if you watch the video closely his rear tires were locked up he was on the brakes but way too late and yes the chute was out but already burnt to hell. Englishtown does have a fairly short shut down area (about 1/4 mile) in comparison to most NHRA tracks that have 3/8 or 1/2 mile but given how fast he hit at the end it's hard to speculate he would have survived at any other track.

Although some said he didn't pass till at the hospital there was an interview with another FC racer that went to Kalitta's crew chief who was on the phone in the pits with the family and said he was gone. This was while they were transporting him.

In an event like this when someone is taken so quickly they won't announce it for a while so they have time to notify the family first. Same thing happened in 2002 when Steve Grebeck wrecked at the Fun Ford Event in Orlando. I was there watching and a friend was one of the first to his car and he was already gone. They didn't announce it for a while but when you see his girlfriend and family there at the track totally distraught and not traveling to the hospital you know.

It's a tragic death and a horrible tragedy.

Bill