tool name
closePublic service for Scott Kalitta set Thursday night
DAVID POOLE
The Charlotte Observer
Wednesday, Jun. 25, 2008
Members of Scott Kalitta's Funny Car team stand on the starting line Sunday in honor of their driver, who was killed Saturday in a violent top end crash during qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J. The crew stood on the starting line as Robert Hight, who would have Kalitta's opponent in the first round of eliminations idled down the track. (AP Photo/Auto Imagery/NHRA)
A public memorial service for Scott Kalitta, the National Hot Rod Association Funny Car driver killed in a crash Saturday, will be held Thursday night in Norwalk, Ohio. The NHRA PowerAde Series circuit runs in Norwalk this weekend.
"Losing my son has been incredibly hard," said Connie Kalitta, the drag racing legend who owns the Kalitta Racing team. "Scott was a great racer and a great son. ...Scott died doing what he loved to do, and I am very proud of what we accomplished together both on the track and off."
The family has asked that memorial donations to be made to the school his sons, Corey and Colin, attend - Saint Stephen's Episcopal School, Attn: Development Office. 315 41st St. West, Bradenton, Fla., 34209 - or to BRAKES. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe), c/o Doug Herbert Performance Parts, 1443 E. Gaston St., Lincolnton, N.C., 28092.
BRAKES is the organization to promote safe driving by teen-agers that Herbert established after the death of his sons, James and Jon, in an automobile crash earlier this year.
"Scott was a good friend," Herbert said. "My boys loved him, and he was always really good to them. No one can understand exactly what Connie and the rest of the family is going through, but I probably understand a little better than most."