Bartone wins in Funny Car for 1st NHRA victory in Kent, Wash.
Tony Bartone, who had collected 28 victories in the alcohol classes before joining the Professional ranks, scored his first career Pro victory in his 119th start in the Funny Car class, holding on to win a thrilling final-round battle with Ron Capps to highlight the 21st annual Schuck's Auto Supply NHRA Nationals, the middle leg of NHRA's three-race, three-weekend Western Swing, at Pacific Raceways outside of Seattle.
Read the full article by Phil Burgess
Tim Wilkerson wins again!
July 13, 2008 by Robert
Filed under IHRA, NHRA, Racing News
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Points leader Tim Wilkerson wins again at the 29th running of the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Denver, Colorado. Wilkerson defeated defeated Jack Beckman in the final by running a 4.398 second E.T. at 262.23 MPH, besting Beckman's 4.661 E.T. at 205.41 MPH. Wilkerson significantly extended his points lead with his fourth win this season.
Along with a mandated change to a new rear tire, this was the first race at the interim race length of 1,000 foot. The shorter race length was mandated to increase the shut down area of the track for the cars to decelerate, while simultaneously slowing the cars down to reduce the safety risk for drivers. The temporary race length rule is temporary while NHRA's newly formed safety task force studies how to improve the safety of the cars and tracks in the wake of Scott Kalitta's death at the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, New Jersey three weeks ago. All of the drivers interviewed seemed pleased that the 1,000 foot rule has been implemented while the safety issues are studied, that the rule is indeed intended to be temporary, and the competition was still exciting.
IHRA has also experienced safety concerns recently. IHRA Nitro Funny Car and past NHRA Fuel Funny Car driver, Dale Creasy, Jr. was seriously injured last week at the IHRA CARS RV & Marine & Motorsport Rocky Mountain Nationals. Creasy is currently in Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta as he recuperates from multiple surgeries that were required to reconstruct his left leg. Hopefully, NHRA and IHRA will work together to improve the safety of all drivers.
Another interesting aspect of the Bandimere Speedway race was the track's addition of a cooling system for the tracks launch area out to the 120 foot mark. Bandimere's all concrete dragstrip was known for its high temperatures in the Summer sun, significantly reducing the traction for the cars that are already hampered by the lower oxygen density of the high altitude. The track's cooling system has embeded water pipes in the concrete launch area, circulating water to an external chilling system. The cooling system was a resounding success as the track surface temperatures significantly decreased and improved the traction for all participants.
Tags: Jack Beckman, Tim WilkersonDrag racing pays respects and supports the Kalitta family
July 1, 2008 by Robert
Filed under NHRA, Racing News
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In case you missed watching the the 2nd annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, ESPN2 will re-air the race on July 4th from 3:00:00 AM - 5:00:00 AM ET. The outpouring of support for Scott Kalitta's family was amazing. From the memorial decals on the cars and the black stripe across the car numbers, to the emotional interviews with drivers, the warmth and sincerity of the drag racing community came together in an amazing way. Several winning drivers are donating their Norwalk Wallys (event trophys) to Scott Kalitta's children.
Updated July 2, 2008
Kalitta Racing has asked the public for patience as they make arrangements for online sales of the official Scott Kalitta tribute decal.
Kalitta Racing has announced that the official Scott Kalitta tribute decal and t-shirt are now available for purchase through their website.
David Goricki of the The Detroit News captured some of the tributes in his article:
On Saturday, fans were able to write down their feelings on a large banner left in front of the Kalitta pit. Kevin Knapp of Wellington, Ohio, has taken his son, Kyle, to watch drag racing for more than 20 years. They paid respects to Scott by signing the banner before qualifying started.
"Drag racing is an awesome sport," said Kyle, 27. "I feel bad for them. Connie Kalitta is one of the pioneers of Top Fuel.
"I stopped Scott when he was here four years ago and told him...
You can read the rest of David Goricki's article at the Detroit News
Tags: Norwalk, Scott KalittaRobert Hight fast qualifier in Funny Car at Norwalk
Robert Hight drove his Automobile Club of Southern California Mustang to the number one qualifying position at the 2nd annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio today. Hight's 4.882 second E.T. at 309.77 MPH in Saturday's final qualifying session. The Fuel Funny Car qualifying field had 0.318 second spread by the end of qualifying.
The event was plagued with water issues. On Friday, qualifying was cancelled after the first PSM round when water began seeping out of the track near the finish line. The Norwalk area has had more than a foot of rain in the last week and the water percolates to the surface has the day warms up. Track officials worked for over five hours to dry the track before giving up. Saturday qualifying was put on hold twice due to rain, but the track workers were able to dry the track and complete Saturday's scheduled sessions.
Melanie Troxel and Gary Scelzi will not be racing on Sunday, as both were disqualified for having loose ballast in their cars. NHRA disqualified both drivers from the event when the loose weight was discovered after their qualifying runs in the first session.
Qualifying results and Sunday's first round elimination pairings are:
Position Driver E.T. MPH
1 Robert Hight 4.882 309.77
16 Mike Neff 5.200 224.43
2 Ron Capps 4.909 297.42
15 Jerry Toliver 5.085 278.12
3 Tim Wilkerson 4.910 304.32
14 Tommy Johnson Jr. 5.064 288.95
4 Bob Tasca III 4.932 303.64
13 Tony Bartone 5.007 260.11
5 Jack Beckman 4.965 300.26
12 Cruz Pedregon 4.995 296.83
6 Tony Pedregon 4.975 276.35
11 Jim Head 4.994 295.34
7 Del Worsham 4.977 302.14
10 John Force 4.988 274.11
8 Ashley Force 4.980 290.07
9 Gary Densham 4.983 297.29
Timing and scoring data courtesy of NHRA.
Tags: NHRA, Norwalk, Robert HightMemorial Service for Scott Kalitta on Thursday
June 23, 2008 by Robert
Filed under NHRA, Racing News
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As published on the Kalitta Racing site and NHRA.com, a public memorial service for NHRA Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta will be held Thursday, June 26 at 7 p.m.
Ernsthausen Performing Arts Center,
350 Shady Lane Drive, Norwalk, OH 44857
The Kalitta family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to these charities close to Scott's heart:
Saint Stephen's Episcopal School
Attn: Development Office
315 41st Street West
Bradenton, FL 34209
B.R.A.K.E.S.
(Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe)
c/o Doug Herbert Performance Parts
1443 E. Gaston St.
Lincolnton, NC 28092
*All donations to BRAKES will be used for the expressed purpose of saving lives and keeping our children safe. B.R.A.K.E.S. was created by Doug Herbert to memorialize his sons, Jon and James Herbert, and to help save the lives of teenage drivers.
Cards and letters of support for Scott's family or Connie Kalitta can be sent to:
Kalitta Air
818 Willow Run Airport
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
For additional information, please visit the Kalitta Racing site or Scott Kalitta's tribute page at NHRA.com
Tags: Scott KalittaTim Wilkerson continues winning season at Englishtown and racing community mourns the loss of a driver
Tim Wilkerson continued his hold on the number one position in Fuel Funny Car championship points with his latest win at the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, NJ. Wilkerson defeated Mike Neff by 0.010 seconds in the final round.
The win was bittersweet for Wilkerson, who in the winner’s circle, expressed the need to make the cars safer to protect the drivers and lamented the loss of Scott Kalitta on Saturday.
During the coverage of Sunday’s race, ESPN2 devoted a great deal of time to eulogizing Scott Kalttita, who lost his life in a crash during the final round of qualifying on Saturday. The outpouring of support for the Kalitta family was tremendous, as drivers paid their condolences and messages of concern. Each car featured a Scott Kalitta remembrance decal. NHRA has creeated a tribute to Scott Kalitta at NHRA.com and notes that fans may send their condolences to the Kallita family using the email address champion@kalittaracing.com. The loss of Scott was also remembered at the beginning of the NASCAR race at Sonoma.
Robert Hight’s first round pairing would have matched him up against Scott Kalitta. The members of the Kalitta racing teams stood together at the starting line of the lane that Scott Kalitta would have made his run against Hight and covered there ears in anticipation of the thunderous roar of Hight’s car taking the green light. When the green light illuminated, Hight idled his car down the entire length of track in tribute Scott. It was a very touching tribute that brought tears to the eyes of many. A fitting reminder of the mourning and sense of family felt throughout the drag racing community.
Tags: Englishtown, Mike Neff, Robert Hight, Scott Kalitta, Tim WilkersonScott Kalitta killed in tragic crash at Englishtown race
June 21, 2008 by Robert
Filed under NHRA, Racing News
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Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, age 46, passed away this afternoon as a result of a tragic crash at the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, NJ. The crash occurred during the fourth round of qualifying at the track where Scott started his drag racing career. Near the end of the run, he had a huge, fiery engine explosion, blowing the body off of the car. The car then went off the end of the track, hit the safety net, then burst into a large fireball, possibly striking the camera crane.
Scott Kalitta was transported to Old Bridge Township Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The remaining racing was canceled for the rest of the day. ESPN2 continued their scheduled final round qualifying coverage with NHRA drivers eulogizing Scott Kalitta.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Kalitta family, friends and everyone at Kalitta Racing during this tragic experience.
Updated 9:31 PM, 6/21/08
Scott is survived by his wife Kathy, sons Corey, age 14, and Colin, age 8, and father Connie Kalitta.
You can review Scott's NHRA career on his page at NHRA.com
Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals – Friday report
OLD BRIDGE TOWNSHIP -- If you could have put $100 on un sponsored veteran driver Jim Head outrunning John Force and the rest of the Funny Car field at Raceway Park, you could be arranging a very nice vacation today.
Head shocked the fans and his fellow competitors by taking the provisional top spot in Funny Car with a 4.803-second run in qualify ing yesterday for the 39th annual Lucas Oil Supernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park...
Read Bill Huneke's full Friday recap in The Times
Mr. Huneke does a great job of capturing the changes in qualifying during Friday's sessions in all of the pro classes. All the drivers interviewed expressed how happy they were with the track and the conditions too. It should be a great weekend of racing.
Tags: Englishtown, Jim Head, Supernationals