Tim Wilkerson continued his hold on the number one position in Fuel Funny Car championship points with his latest win at the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, NJ. Wilkerson defeated Mike Neff by 0.010 seconds in the final round.
The win was bittersweet for Wilkerson, who in the winner’s circle, expressed the need to make the cars safer to protect the drivers and lamented the loss of Scott Kalitta on Saturday.
During the coverage of Sunday’s race, ESPN2 devoted a great deal of time to eulogizing Scott Kalttita, who lost his life in a crash during the final round of qualifying on Saturday. The outpouring of support for the Kalitta family was tremendous, as drivers paid their condolences and messages of concern. Each car featured a Scott Kalitta remembrance decal. NHRA has creeated a tribute to Scott Kalitta at NHRA.com and notes that fans may send their condolences to the Kallita family using the email address champion@kalittaracing.com. The loss of Scott was also remembered at the beginning of the NASCAR race at Sonoma.
Robert Hight’s first round pairing would have matched him up against Scott Kalitta. The members of the Kalitta racing teams stood together at the starting line of the lane that Scott Kalitta would have made his run against Hight and covered there ears in anticipation of the thunderous roar of Hight’s car taking the green light. When the green light illuminated, Hight idled his car down the entire length of track in tribute Scott. It was a very touching tribute that brought tears to the eyes of many. A fitting reminder of the mourning and sense of family felt throughout the drag racing community.