I have been a drag racer on and off for 30 years so losing a member of the community like this really hits home. My deepest sympathies to the family as this is so tragic for them especially for Connie, Scott;s wife and his children. You just can't replace a son, husband and father like you can a set of pistons. I met Scott on several occassions and he appeared to be a great guy, quite but very funny. He was a fierce cometitor and a real drag racer that most people admired. This tragedy shouldn't have happened. We have the capablity and technology of having safer race tracks and safer race cars. When are those empowered going to get off of their duffs and create a more safe environment for our Pro drivers? We just can't continue to loose one a year like this. If 1/4 mile racing is here to stay the tracks need to be updated otherwise there is nothing wrong with 1000' or 1/8th mile racing.

Ive had a chance to meet Scott Kallita at a number of races on the East Coast over the years and he has always taken the time to sign autographs and talk to the fans.. I first met him when he was a teenager at Pomona during the Winternationals in the seventies. My thoughts and prayers go to the Kallita family .

Scott Kalitta was one of a few men that not only loved his family, but he also had love for what he did DRAG RACING. His father connie and the rest of the kalittas are one of the major names in drag racing today. Scott was a true freind to his team mates and fellow dragracers alike,he always took time to help a younger driver and heloved being able to do that. But he loved dragracing and was always bushing his car and himself . Its a horrible thing to loose a loved one a father,husband,son, and for us drag racing fans a hero,a inspiration,a person to model yourself after,a competior,and a drag racing fan. i am sorry for the time hischildren& wife&for his racing partner,his father.

I would like to take a moment to make known I'm quite new to the Drag Racing Sport. For the past year and a half I have become a great fan. Not only to the Kalitta and Force race teams but a fan to the NHRA organization itself. Not missing one Sunday glued to the t.v watching intense competative racing. I have the most upstanding respect for the men and women who dedicate themselves to the sport, knowing the potential dangers it may pose. All for the love of the game. Saturday June 21st 2008, ( the horriffic life ending crash during Scoot's qualifying run) both effected myself and my husband in many ways! For the past few days all we could talk about is, what went wrong and why? One thing I have learned is that Scott was not just a drag racer. He was a Son, Husband, Father,Cousin and a wonderful friend to many.He will be truly missed. He will live on in our hearts forever!! But most importantly our hearts go out to Connie, Doug, Kathy and the boys! Being such a close family and having two children of my own I can't even imagin. May GOD be with YOU!!! My Thoughts and Prayers go out to you!!! With All Our LOVE, The Isenhours

oh how i wish i had some angel wings because, i never had the chance to say good bye perhaps if i had some angel wings i could fly around and tell my family and friends what i forgot to say. inever had the chance to say i'm sorry for the things i did or didn't do or say: i was too busy trying to be strong for you and me when i should have been trying to tell you what was on my mind. all i need now is my angel wings just to fly around and see everyone; to let them know how much i love them and i will miss them so much.but god has me now, oh yes he does and i have my angel wings. good bye. scott see you at the crossroad peace.

Scott Kalitta was a good man, a good family man and one awsome dirver. our hearts go out to the Kalitta family and crew. He died doing what he loved to do and that is the only way. Scott we all love, YOU THE MAN.

MY HEART GOES OUT TO SCOTT'S FAMILY HE WAS A GREAT GUY VERY LAID BACK VERY SAID THAT IT HAPPEN TO SUCH A GREAT PERSON AND HE WILL BE MISSED BY EVERYONE AS WELL AS HIS RACING FAMILY ONCE AGAIN MY CONDOLENCES GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS

As I grew up watching drag racing ,I always followed Scott's father Connie,He was one of the great drivers I remember growing up.Then when Scott started racing I followed him.The Kalitta's were one of the whole family's in drag racing as are the Force family and the Bernsteins.I know I will miss seeing him on the track.There were a lot of people who know how much it hurts when a life is lost.GOD BLESS YOU SCOTT!!!!!!

my husband and i started going to drag races in our senior years.we were always treated with much respect from scott. he would always take the time to talk and answer any questions we had. he will be missed .god speed scott dot and frank

The tribute they gave Scott Kalitta when he was suppose to race Robert Height on the track was a really sad, but a nice thing to see. The Force Team alway has class. Our thoughts and prayers goes out to the famly. Truley going to be missed. The M & M's Hamilton, NJ

He was a classic example of the "family" that this sprot is all about -

I never got the chance to meet Scott, but know he was loved by many. He was loved by us just because we are huge fans of NHRA. I only hope that with all the investigations they will be doing, they find results that will keep this sport safe regardless of what could happen on those tracks. Yes, we love the sport and obviously the drivers do too! But there has to be something that can keep them safe from crashes and fire explosions! Maybe these tracks should have longer real estate who knows but if the explosion knocked him unconsious then maybe there should be something done about it being able to get to the driver. This is unfortunate, I am sure the Eric Medlen Project will be doing something. John Force will find a way along with the NHRA to find a safer way!!!!!! From footage that has been shown Denshams have been working on things too! Hopefully with all the ideas and researching going on, they will come up with something. This is so terrible that another family has lost a loved one!

longer gravel traps wont help, as the low-fronted funnycars simply dig in and flip, which i think is what happened to scott . however, more catch nets designed not to immediately stop the car but simply slow it down a bit before bursting would help. also, the paul ricard test/racing track in france has tarmac painted with lines of high-grip paint instead of slippery grass or gravel which cars can dig into

My dad worked for Connie back in the late 70's and early 80's and I remember as a young boy going to some of the races with the whole crew when Connie drove top fuel. One of my clearest memories of that time was riding in the chase truck with scott when he was a teenager. How lucky I was to have that type of experience. Scotts death really hits home, but he died doing what he loved. My condolences to the Kalitta family.

My husband and I go to drag racing every time it is in town and one car always stuck out in our minds. We were watching on that tragic day and my heart just sank when We saw the accident. We know he is with God now and may he rest in peace along with the other great ones who have passed before him. MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY but he will always be with them in their hearts and minds in time to come. He will truly be missed.

When someone passes this way it is tragic. But going home the way SCOTT did, he was welcomed home. Doing what he loved. You will be missed , GOD SPEED SCOTT. Walking with Jesus. You are the man. Life was full, I just hope some good will come out of this. Longer sand trapps , nets, other safety things that need to be put in the end of the track.

He died doing what he loved to do. Only a select few of us will be able to do that. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends.

i have been a drag racing fan since i was a little boy and 1 name stands out through all the years KALITTA . whether it was connie or scott or doug they were all competitors . i remember when scott retired the first time it was a sad day for the whole racing scene now an even sadder day has came . scott you will be missed , you will not be forgotten,your memory will live on forever, we love you. my thoughts and preyers go out to your wife and 2 sons .god has only calls the best early and he chose to call you

My heart felt prayers go out to the Kalitta family. I graduated with Connie in 1957 from Mt. Clemens High School and felt bad hearing this news. We too have lost a son and know the heart ache.

i didn't watch much drag racing but i do know Jesus and i know he will watch out for Scott's family. Scott is at the great race track in the sky waiting for the next race and waiting to see his family again. See you there Scott. GOD BLESS

Scott- when you were only 15, I was a spectator at Raceway Park on June 15, 1977 when we lost Jerry Studnicka who was the driver of the jet-powered dragster, "Compulsion". 31 years later, my heart sank as I watched your qualifying run.

My heart goes out to his Family, Friends, Collegues and Race Fans. Continue to follow your dreams Scott, there so much bluesky and sunshine all around you now you can race 24-7 now if you want. But Im sure you'll be watching your children grow from time to time. We'll miss you and God Bless You.

I WANT TO THANK THE KALITTA FAMILY FOR ALOT OF MY FAMILYS MEMORYS.SCOTT YOUR WERE AND STILL ARE A HERO IN MY EYES. I HOPE GOD KNOW THAT YOU ARE A CHAMP AND ALOT OF PEOPLE WILL MISS YOU.YOU WILL HAVE TO SHOW GOD HOW TO BURN THOSE TIRES IN HEAVEN.I KNOW I WILL MEET YOU IN HEAVEN 1 FINE DAY. THANKS FOR THE BEST MEMORYS OF MY LIFE! JILL BLISS

We raced for over 20 years both NHRA and IHRA. We retired seveal years ago because of the higher cost of everything. But we always enjoy watching the races on TV. scott always put on a great show and seemed to be respected by all. We will truely miss you. God be with your family and friends.

I opened his account at the place where I work, I didnt even reconize it was him at first because I didnt think he lived where I lived. I told him my husband and I were race fans and a couple days later he brought in one of his Race Cards that you would get if you went to a race at his Trailer and he signed both of them right in front of me. What a Nice guy!! I saw him a couple of weeks ago in our drive up and waved. He was always friendly!!

WE HAVE WATCHED THE KALITTA FAMILY RACING FOR MANY YEARS. OUR HEARTS, THOUGHTS, AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. MAY GOD BLESS.

I never got to see you in person but I did get to watch you all the time. My husband and I just love to watch drag racing and we never missed a weekend. I watched you from day one and I just thought that you were a great driver. The first time that you retired I just didn't understand but I realized that you wanted to be with your family. I am sorry for your family and friends. I feel especially bad for your sons but they will make it through this with the help of their mother and your father. We are sorry that you are gone but you did enjoy what you were doing. You will be miss throughout the drag racing country.

I never met you but watched you race in person on several occasions. You were awsome!!! May your journey to the after life go well. I'll bet you got to heaven faster than anybody!!! I wish the best for your family and friends. We will miss you but always remember you. Goodbye and RIP.

Scott, you'll always be the NHRA for all you and your family have done for the sport, God speed on your next part of the journey. GJB Nashua, NH

Scott you will be sourly miss. God Bless. Repaa family Delta,O

As a devoted fan of drag racing, your presence on the track will be missed

Scott you were the god of drag racing...no one compares to you, your ability and wit are greatly admired...we will miss you....continue your racing in heaven...we will meet you there some day

A tribute to the late Scott Kalitta, an NHRA Top Fuel Champion who was tragically killed Jun 21, 2008 in a crash at Englishtown, New Jersey.

janet coger

15 years ago

i am very sorry. all i can say is scott kalitta was the worlds best drag car driver.