THE BIG STORY
NHRA Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, 46, died Saturday from multiple injuries suffered after his car went out of control and crashed at high speed at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park during the fourth round of qualifying for the Lucas SuperNationals. Kalitta was pronounced dead at a local hospital. A two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion (1994 and 1995), Kalitta had 18 national wins. He retired in 1997, but returned two years later. He retired again before coming back in 2003. He was runner-up two weeks ago at Route 66. Kalitta is survived by his father, drag racing legend Connie Kalitta; wife, Kathy; and sons Corey, 14, and Colin, 8. Kalitta Motorsports withdrew its cars for Doug Kalitta, Dave Grubnic and Hillary Will.
NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series
Tony Schumacher, (RFC) Tim Wilkerson, Greg Anderson and Chip Ellis were pro class winners in Sunday's Lucas SuperNationals at Englishtown, N.J. In Top Fuel, Schumacher earned a holeshot win over Brandon Bernstein. Schumacher's Army car ran 4.589 seconds, 325.06 mph to Bernstein's 4.562, 323.04 mph. Schumacher is a massive 244 points up on Antron Brown.
In Funny Car, (RFC) Wilkerson's Chevrolet Impala went 4.877, 319.29 mph vs. Mike Neff's 4.883, 316.75 mph in a Ford Mustang. Jack Beckman didn't qualify in the Valvoline Dodge Charger. Wilkerson has a 132-point margin over Ashley Force. Jimmy Walsh resigned as Tommy Johnson's crew chief, replaced by Rick Cassel and Danny DeGennaro.
In Pro Stock, Anderson beat (RFC) Dave Connolly in a matchup where both had traction issues. Anderson's Pontiac GXP recovered to run 7.578, 200.23 mph as Connolly's Chevrolet Cobalt wound up at 20.285, 36.59 mph. Kurt Johnson edges Anderson by 26 points. (RFC) Ron Krisher qualified fourth in the Valvoline Cobalt but lost in the second round.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Ellis' Suzuki got a "free" pass when Chris Rivas' went red on his Buell. Ellis' run was 7.040, 187.21 mph. Andrew Hines is plus 78 over Ellis.
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