Scott Kalitta was a drag racing legend who competed in the Funny Car and Top Fuel classes in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. He had 18 career wins and two world championships to his name. He was also the son of veteran NHRA driver and crew chief Connie Kalitta and the cousin of teammate Doug Kalitta. He was a passionate champion driver and a devoted family man who lived in Snead Island, Florida, with his wife Kathy and two sons Colin and Corey.
But on June 21, 2008, Scott Kalitta’s life was tragically cut short by a horrific accident during the final round of qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey. What happened that fateful afternoon and what caused Scott Kalitta’s death? Here is a detailed account of the events that led to the loss of one of the greatest drag racers of all time.
The Engine Explosion
Scott Kalitta was driving his Toyota Solara Funny Car at about 300 mph (480 km/h) when his engine exploded in flames near the finish line. The explosion was so powerful that it separated most of the car’s body from the chassis. The car’s parachutes, which are supposed to slow down the vehicle after crossing the finish line, were damaged by the fire and did not deploy properly. According to Wikipedia, the car’s parachutes did not blossom, which means they did not open fully and create enough drag to reduce the speed.
The Failed Braking
Without the parachutes, Scott Kalitta had to rely on the mechanical braking system to stop his car. He applied as much pressure as he could on the brakes, but it was not enough to slow down the car significantly. The car continued down the right side of the shut-down area at a high rate of speed, leaving behind a trail of smoke and debris. According to FanBuzz, Scott Kalitta had only about 1,320 feet (402 meters) of shut-down area to stop his car, which is shorter than the standard 2,000 feet (610 meters) for NHRA tracks.
The Crash
As Scott Kalitta’s car approached the end of the track, it went off the top end of the track, up into the right catch net pole, and hit the television camera boom beyond the end of the sand trap before coming to a rest. The catch net is designed to catch runaway cars that fail to stop before reaching the end of the track. The sand trap is a pit filled with sand or gravel that is supposed to slow down cars that go past the catch net. However, neither of these safety measures were effective in stopping Scott Kalitta’s car, which was traveling too fast and too high to be caught or slowed down.
The impact with the camera boom caused a massive fireball that engulfed Scott Kalitta’s car and sent debris flying in all directions. The fire was so intense that it melted parts of the car and burned through Scott Kalitta’s protective suit. According to Imorial, Scott Kalitta suffered multiple blunt trauma injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
The Investigation
The New Jersey State Police and NHRA launched an investigation into Scott Kalitta’s death and released their initial findings a few days later. According to Autoweek, they identified several factors that contributed to the accident, such as:
- Engine failure: The cause of the engine explosion was not determined, but NHRA worked with the Kalitta race team and other teams to analyze what might be done to reduce such incidents in the future.
- Parachute malfunction: The reason why Scott Kalitta’s parachutes did not blossom was not clear, but NHRA examined the parachute system and looked for ways to improve its reliability and performance.
- Track length: The length of the shut-down area at Englishtown was shorter than other NHRA tracks, which reduced Scott Kalitta’s chances of stopping his car safely. NHRA evaluated whether extending or modifying the shut-down area would be feasible and beneficial.
- Catch net: The catch net failed to catch Scott Kalitta’s car because it was too high and too fast for it to work effectively. NHRA reviewed whether upgrading or replacing the catch net would be possible and helpful.
- Camera boom: The camera boom was located beyond the end of the sand trap and posed a potential hazard for cars that went past it. NHRA considered whether relocating or removing the camera boom would be necessary and advisable.
The Aftermath
Scott Kalitta’s death shocked and saddened the drag racing community and fans around the world. He was remembered as a fierce competitor, a loyal friend, a loving husband, and a caring father. He was also honored as a pioneer and a legend of the sport. His funeral was held on June 26, 2008, at the First Baptist Church of Palmetto, Florida, and he was buried at Skyway Memorial Gardens in Palmetto, Florida.
Scott Kalitta’s death also sparked a series of changes and improvements in the safety standards and regulations of NHRA. Some of the changes that were implemented or proposed after Scott Kalitta’s death include:
- Reducing the length of the race track from a quarter mile (1,320 feet or 402 meters) to 1,000 feet (305 meters) for Funny Car and Top Fuel classes. This was done to give drivers more time and space to stop their cars after crossing the finish line.
- Installing new catch nets and sand traps at all NHRA tracks. This was done to provide better protection and cushioning for cars that go off the track or fail to stop before reaching the end of the track.
- Requiring all Funny Car and Top Fuel drivers to wear a head-and-neck restraint device. This was done to prevent or reduce head and neck injuries in case of a crash or a sudden deceleration.
- Developing new engine technologies and fuel specifications. This was done to reduce the risk of engine explosions and fires, as well as to improve the performance and efficiency of the cars.
Scott Kalitta’s death was a tragic event that took away one of the brightest stars of drag racing. However, his legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of his family, friends, fans, and fellow racers. His death also served as a catalyst for making the sport safer and better for everyone involved. Scott Kalitta will always be remembered as a drag racing legend who lost his life doing what he loved.
