Our sport and community suffered the tragic loss of driver Scott Kalitta this past Saturday during the final qualifying run for the race. We were lined up in the staging lanes when it happened. We heard over the loud speaker that there had been an accident, but we didn’t have any other information. Then, we waited. We all waited with the hope that Scott was going to get out of his car and be okay. Instead, word began to spread throughout the pit area that Scott was no longer with us.

Being a new driver out here in the nitro ranks, I can’t say that I spent a lot of time with Scott. But, during the conversations that we did have, he always seemed like a really cool guy. A racer’s race and a champion in this sport. I know some of the guys on my team know him pretty well, but regardless if you knew him well or didn’t know him at all, your heart still breaks for him and his family. Everyone out here knows that safety continues to be something that this sport looks to improve; but this is still a dangerous sport. We continue to make advances, but on Saturday, it just wasn’t enough.

We travel to Norwalk, Ohio, this week, and on Thursday, our community, teams, drivers and families will gather to celebrate the life of Scott Kalitta. We’ll then return to the track on Friday, put on our suits, strap in our cars and compete in the sport that all of us, and Scott love.

Godspeed Scott, and rest in peace.