Scott Kalitta, a 46 year old veteran Funny Car driver was killed during the final round of qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. His car took off and about halfway through the run his car explodes into a fireball, breaking into pieces and sending Kalitta and his vehicle into a wall at nearly 300 mph. Below is the official description of what exactly went wrong.
"Something went wrong with the engine as the exhaust on the left side of the car appears amiss. When the engine let go, it exploded creating a gigantic fireball and breaking the car body into thirds around the hood and windshield area. The body lifted off the car in flames and flew back as the car continued down the track. Replay shows a continued fire as the car slowed greatly but not enough. The parachutes were twisted and did little to stop the car. The car continued down the track, went through the sand, over some dirt, through a fence, and hit the wall shooting the car into the air, breaking it into hundreds of pieces. An immediate fireball enveloped the car as part landed in the woods and part appears to land on the camera tower. Some of the trees in the woods were scorched by heated fragments."
The fire and ensuing crash are difficult to see on video, but sadly Kalitta's dad, Connie, a veteran NHRA driver was also his sons crew chief and was there when this tragedy occurred. Kalitta leaves behind his wife Kathy and their two sons, Colin and Corey.
*****I have posted the video of the crash below. Please understand it is very vivid and might be uncomfortable for some to see. But if the written description doesn't describe the scene enough, you can see it on video*****
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