SCOTT KALITTA: 1962-2008
Summit Racing Equipment salutes a great husband, father, friend, and champion:
Two-Time World Champion and 35-Time NHRA National Event Winner
1982: Made first career start (Englishtown)
1988: Qualified No. 1 for first time in career (Baton Rouge)
1989: Won first career event at Houston in Funny Car
1993: Captured one event victory (Topeka), his first in Top Fuel; Recorded fastest speed in NHRA history (308.64 mph) at Topeka; Became fourth member of the Slick 50 300-mph Club at Gainesville
1994: Earned first career NHRA championship; Became first Top Fuel driver in NHRA history to win four consecutive races (Columbus, Topeka, Denver and Sonoma); Won five events overall
1995: Won second consecutive NHRA Top Fuel championship; Was runner-up at Budweiser Shootout at Pomona; Won six events and a career-best 45 rounds of eliminations
1996: Earned a $100,000 bonus for winning the Budweiser Shootout at Pomona; Finished second in Top Fuel standings; Recorded top speed at a category-best eight races
1997: Won Topeka for fourth consecutive season; Announced retirement in October
1999: Made brief comeback and advanced to one final round in 10 starts
2003: Returned to competition after nearly three-year absence; advanced to two final rounds; clocked fastest speed in history at 333.95 mph but failed to certify mark as national record
2004: Earned one victory in two final round appearances; Clocked career-best time; Was No. 1 qualifier at both Las Vegas events; Earned his sixth top-five points finish in POWERade Series
2005: Earned two victories in two final-round appearances; Set a career best elapsed time at Pomona 1; Qualified for all 23 events and was in the top half of the field in 13 events
2006: Returned to Funny Car; Advanced out of the first round at three of the last six events; Avanced to the semifinals at Richmond.
2007: Qualified for 16 of 23 races. Reached the semis at Denver.
