By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 22, 2008
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (AP) — The drag racer Scott Kalitta died Saturday when his funny car burst into flames, crashed and exploded during qualifying for the N.H.R.A. SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
The National Hot Rod Association said the 46-year-old Kalitta, who had 18 career victories and was the 1994 and 1995 top fuel season champion, was taken to the Old Bridge division of Raritan Bay Medical Center, where he died a short time later.
Witnesses told The Star-Ledger of Newark that Kalitta’s Toyota Solara was traveling an estimated 300 miles per hour.
Kalitta of Palmetto, Fla., started his career at Old Bridge in 1982. His father, Connie Kalitta, was a longtime driver and team owner known as the Bounty Hunter. His cousin, Doug Kalitta, also races.
“We are deeply saddened and want to pass along our sincere condolences to the entire Kalitta family,” the N.H.R.A. said in a statement. “Scott shared the same passion for drag racing as his legendary father, Connie.”
Kalitta retired in 1997, sitting out most of two seasons before returning for 10 races in 1999. He sat out three seasons, then returned in 2003, joining his cousin on the family’s racing team.
He is survived by his father; his wife, Kathy; and sons Corey, 14, and Colin, 8.
The Nascar Nationwide driver Brad Keselowski, a native of Rochester Hills, Mich., about 20 miles away from Kalitta’s hometown, Mount Clemens, said he learned the news from a television report.
“That really hits close to home,” Keselowski said. “I send my thoughts and prayers out to him. That’s tough to hear.”
Last year, the funny-car driver Eric Medlen died after an accident at a testing session in Gainesville, Fla.
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