Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, 46, died Saturday in a high-speed racing accident at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
The accident occurred during qualifying for the following day’s Lucas Oil NHRA (NationalHot Rod Association) SuperNationals.
Kalitta’s car went out of control and crashed during the fourth and final round of qualifying. He was extracted from his car by NHRA emergency service officials and transported to Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge division, where he was later pronounced dead.
Kalitta, who lived in Florida, was a two-time NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Top Fuel champion and one of only 14 drivers in NHRA history to earn victories in both premier nitro categories, according to the NHRA. He earned 18 victories during his career, his last coming in Chicago in 2005 in Top Fuel. He earned most of his racing success in Top Fuel, where he claimed back-to-back world championship titles in 1994 and 1995. He retired from racing in 1997, sitting out most of two seasons before returning for a 10-race campaign in 1999. He sat out three more seasons following that brief stint and then returned again in 2003, joining cousin Doug as a second driver for the family’s two Top Fuel dragsters.
Kalitta returned to full-time racing in the Funny Car series in 2006, and posted a runner up finish two weeks ago in Chicago, his 36th career NHRA final-round appearance.
Racing continued at Raceway Park on Sunday for the SuperNationals, but the mood was somber and the winner’s circle celebration subdued as champions were crowned, according to the NHRA. Following a day of tears and tributes, Tony Schumacher, Tim Wilkerson, Greg Anderson and Chip Ellis emerged as the professional champions in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle, respectively.
The most poignant tribute of the day came during the opening round of Funny Car eliminations, where Kalitta was scheduled to take on Robert Hight’s Auto Club Ford. As Hight staged in the right lane, members of the Kalitta team stood silently on the startling line in the left lane while Hight slowly idled down the quarter-mile, receiving a warm ovation from the fans.
Kalitta is survived by his father, legendary NHRA racer and team owner Connie Kalitta, his wife Kathy, and his sons, Corey, 14, and Colin, 8.
“Scott shared the same passion for drag racing as his legendary father, Connie,” the NHRA wrote in a statement. “He also shared the same desire to win, becoming a two-time series world champion. He left the sport for a period of time to devote more time to his family, only to be driven to return to the drag strip to regain his championship form.
“Scott was a terrific driver, and perhaps more importantly, a better person and a great father to his two kids. He will be truly missed by the entire NHRA community.”