Motor Sports Loses A Driver Today

by Bruce Simmons

It is with a sad heart that I echo the reports that Scott Kalitta died today as a result of an accident where his DHL Toyota Solara burst into flames midway down the track and slammed into the end of the track during the final round of qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.

Kalitta was transported to Old Bridge Township Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Our sympathies go out to his family and friends.

~

It's a sad day in the world of motor sports, regardless of what anyone is driving.  Whether it's an airplane, a dragster, a stock car, motorcycle - everyone involved in any form of racing a machine is part of a larger common community of daring athletes who put their lives on the line every day and we get so complacent about the contests that fans become numb to the idea that someone can get hurt until something like this happens.

We just need to remember that during all the griping about rules or restrictions or new chassis', terrible TV coverage or what not, these rare personalities we call drivers need to be appreciated with every lap made, every race won...  or lost.