Drag racing pays respects and supports the Kalitta family

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 Kalitta

Memorial Service for Scott Kalitta on Thursday

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 Kalitta

Tim 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 Wilkerson

Scott Kalitta killed in tragic crash at Englishtown race

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

Tags: Englishtown, Scott Kalitta, Supernationals