Scott Kalitta died today 6/21/08 in a fiery crash and explosion at a speed of 300MPH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DziJdGwFQjU

Why on earth is there what looks like a brick wall at the end?

I was there. I live not that far from the Raceway and I go to the Summer Nationals and other races as often as I can manage. The concrete barriers at the end of the track have been a point of contention for years between the racers and the NHRA. The racers want the NHRA to buy more land at the end for runout in case of parachute failure. However IMHO no amount of runout area would have helped poor Scott. He hit the end at well over 300 mph after his parachute was burned in the explosion. It was the second most horrifying thing I've ever witnessed, after you-know-what else.

He went airborne and hit the TV tower and bounced off. It mercifully must have been quick. Both he and his father, as well as other family members have been fixtures in racing for decades, and my heart goes out to them, and his family and 2 sons. I was a fan of his dad, "The Bounty Hunter", when he raced years ago, too. On ESPN2 tonight, one of his friends made the comment that at least he was doing exactly what he loved doing when he died.

Rest in Peace.

Rip....

Like Poindexter, I too go to the Summer Nationals every year - since 1970, when I was 2. I've known of the Kalitta family since I am a child, and remember Scott's introduction to the sport in the early 80's.

This is a tragedy, and my prayers to his family. Englishtown is one of the great, classic tracks, one that's been under fire by the local "NIMBYs" - this won't help. The problem with the runoff area is that it bumps up against Texas Road, so there's not much they can do to extend it unless they put an overpass (certainly possible).

The Napp family are pros, and class acts. I hope this doesn't impact their fight. However, it's all irrelevant when considering a young man is gone....RIP Scott Kalitta, you will be missed

This is a real heart-breaker ... Scott lived just South of us in Palmetto, Florida. I had the pleasure of meeting his Father Connie in the early 60's when he ran at West Salem's Dragway 42. Of course the speeds were lower then.. but the danger is always there..The entire family is top shelf...

FWIW,

Carl B.

Strangely enough I had never heard the name Kalitta until last month when one of the Kalitta Air 747's had an aborted takeoff and subsequent breakup in Brussels. It was only then that I researched the airline online and found the drag racing connection.

  MikeW said:

Strangely enough I had never heard the name Kalitta until last month when one of the Kalitta Air 747's had an aborted takeoff and subsequent breakup in Brussels. It was only then that I researched the airline online and found the drag racing connection.

I had never heard of Kalitta Air until I read your post. I see that Connie Kalitta started Kalitta Air in 1967.

In 1967 Conrad "Connie" Kalitta began a business carrying car parts using a twin engine Cessna 310 that he piloted himself. Over the years this simple start blossomed into a major airline - American International Airways. AIA began flying in 1984 using Boeing 747, Lockheed L-1011, Douglas DC-8, Twin Beech and Learjet aircraft, for air freight, air ambulance and charter passenger operations. In 1990 and 1991 AIA flew 600 missions in support of Desert Shield/Desert Storm. They ultimately became one of the world’s 25 largest airlines

Very sad, he will certainly be missed........at least he passed doing exactly what he loved doing!

Tom

Kalitta Air was quite a success. Having been a lifelong drag race fan, I always knew he had the freight business, but it wasn't until I began traveling as part of my job that I knew the scope.

I always see Kalitta Air jets at Newark Airport - always smiling to myself that I knew a little more about them then my fellow passengers.