THe NHRA released the following statement:

On behalf of everyone at NHRA, we are deeply saddened and want to pass along our sincere condolences to the entire Kalitta family.

Scott shared the same passion for drag racing as his legendary father, Connie. He also shared the same desire to win, becoming a two-time series world champion. He left the sport for a period of time, to devote more time to his family, only to be driven to return to the dragstrip to regain his championship form.

Scott was a terrific driver and perhaps more importantly a better person and a great father to his two kids. He will be truly missed by the entire NHRA community.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Kathy, sons Corey and Colin, his cousin Doug, and his father Connie.

[Photo: TriciaCoyne]

"I'm just happy to win an event. That was the main thing," Ashley said. "Being a female, that's exciting as far as the records and everything, but my team, we just wanted to get our first win. We went a whole year last year and got close a few times. To finally get it done, we're just so excited."

Today's drivers have a different role than in the old days. They have sponsor commitments and race press all week, and then drive on the weekend. Not many of them work on the car. Not only did we drive the race car, we worked on them, and drove the tow vehicles down the highways. Today we race 23 three-day events. Back then we could race 100 one-night stands!

The 16th annual Automobile Club of Southern California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by Holley, is part of the museum's Hot Rod Heritage Series which works to bring to life the sights, sounds and people who made history in the early days of drag racing, land speed racing and the golden age of American car culture.
Unique among motorsports events, the Reunion honors some of the top names in hot rodding from the past and features a fabulous array of cool drag cars, street rods, classics, customs and muscle cars of the historic and present-day hot rod eras.
A three-day credential for admission to all events is available for $55 by calling 800/884-NHRA (6472) or by completing a form found in the Reunion section of the Museum's web site. Auto Club members receive a $5 discount off Adult credential prices. Credentials include a goodie bag with a dash plaque, lanyard and event program. Children 15 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
Daily general admission tickets/pit passes will be available at Auto Club Famoso Raceway gate. Cost per person: Friday, $20; Saturday, $20; Sunday, $15. Children 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Auto Club discount is also available at the gate: $2 off Friday and Saturday and, $1 off Sunday.
The Reunion features a wide variety of activities and events, including:
- NHRA vintage drag racing, featuring some of the sport's most famous and historic cars and drivers, racing in such classes at Top Fuel, Supercharged Gassers, classic Funny Cars and Super Stocks.
- Hundreds of gleaming pre-1972 hot rods, street rods, custom cars, rat rods, classics and muscle cars. "Memory Lane" will have a display of nostalgic race cars. The Justice Bros. Spotlight Award will fall on the U.S. Drag Teams that in 1964 and '65 introduced drag racing to the U.K. The teams included Don Garlits and Tommy Ivo.
- Automobile Club of Southern California Hot Rod Reunion Reception, held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bakersfield, Fri., Oct. 12, from 7 p.m.- 10 p.m. Open to everyone at no charge, it's a tribute to the Reunion's Grand Marshal, legendary drag racing champion Ed "The Ace" McCulloch, and the other Honorees . The reception offers a chance for fans to meet some of drag racing's heroes.
- Cacklefest on Saturday evening, where nitro-burning historic, front-engine top-fuel dragsters and other classic race cars are push started just like in the "old days." - The swap meet and Manufacturer's Midway are filled with vendors and manufacturers making it easier than ever to find that hot rod part or special souvenir.
- A full activities schedule, entry forms, tickets and more information are available through the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Requests may be emailed to themuseum@nhra.com.
Proceeds of the Automobile Club of Southern California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by Holley directly benefit the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif. The museum houses the very roots of hot rodding. Scores of famous vehicles spanning American motorsports history are on display, including winning cars representing 50 years of drag racing, dry lakes and salt-flat racers, oval track challengers and exhibits describing their colorful backgrounds.
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST. Current NHRA members are admitted free. Admission for non-members is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors 60 and older, $4 for juniors six through 15, and free for children under the age of five. Auto Club members receive discounts on admission and at the gift shop: show your card and save.
The Museum is also available for private parties, meetings, corporate events, weddings and special group tours. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, Calif. 91768. For further information on special exhibits, museum events or directions, call 909/622-2133 or visit http://museum.nhra.com

Before he left for vacation, Ol' JC Whitless threatened an onslaught of obscure models from the womb of Ma Mopar. Today he kicked over the Plymouth Arrow, a Mitsubishi-derived model available with the Silent Shaft mill that in turbocharged form later powered the Mighty Starion. Of course, the Astron-powered model was known as the Fire Arrow, a car which we touched on about six months ago. Plus, it was covered by a warranty so strong, ChryCo referred to it as "The Clincher." And let's face it, if the stylish stripes and the ability to run leaded or unleaded gas don't get you, well, The Clincher will. Click through for a picture of Don Prudhomme. – Davey G. Johnson

Related:
En Fuego! The Plymouth Fire Arrow!

From the mind of Bumbeck comes a completely amazing/revolutionary idea regarding racing-car sponsorship:

It occurs to me that Jim Head should get sponsored by the HeadOn headache stick. You know, the most annoying commercial in the world.

"HeadOn, Apply Directly to the Forehead"

"HeadOn, Apply Directly to the Forehead"

"HeadOn, Apply Directly to the Forehead"

Think of the post-race interviews...

"Well Jim Head, how did it go?"

"Well the HeadOn Head Inc. Headache team really gave it a great effort and we hope to head into victory for HeadOn with the Head Inc. Funny Car heading into the upcoming points series"

"That's the word from the Jim Head HeadOn crew down here at the finish line"

They could then cut to Jim applying the product, directly to the forehead.

Related:
A Word About Sponsorship [Internal]

We're sitting at a Starbucks on Watt Ave. in Sacramento, and across the street they're trimming trees. The sound of the chipper reminds us simultaneously of Fargo and of a Fuel car doing a burnout from a half-mile away. With that in mind, we thought we'd let you know that Funny Car vet Frank Pedregon, one of the Famed Flamin' Pedregons, has added a second car to his Funny Car team. Which will not be driven by a pregnant Frances McDormand, although maybe it should be. Heart Like an Overinflated Wheel, anyone? Joel, Ethan, hit that shit.

Pedregon's yet to choose a driver, but the car will be run not in the NHRA's POWERade Series, but in the IHRA's Torco Pro Nitro Funny Car Series. While Pedregon claims it won't affect his NHRA activities, we heard a lot of grumbling at SEMA about the way the NHRA has been handling things lately, and we wonder if Pedregon isn't at the forefront of a hedge-your-bets trend among big-league drag racing team owners.

Frank Pedregon enters two cars in 2006 [Motorsport.com]

Related:
Car Shows We Love: The NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion [Internal]

Caps to Pilot Vintage Funny Car at Pomona Goodguys Event [WhoWon]

Related:
Original 289 Cobra Dragster For Sale [Internal]