To help preserve the legacy of his legendary son, Scott Kalitta, who died as result of a high-speed racing accident in Englishtown, N.J., June 21, Kalitta Motorsports team owner Connie Kalitta will continue his son’s passion for acceleration by bringing Scott’s DHL Toyota Solara Funny Car back into racing action with Jeff Arend assuming the duty as driver.
Kalitta’s dynamic life as both a loving family man and a legendary drag racer will never be matched, but the team chose Arend, a 45-year old resident of San Dimas, Calif., and 12-year Funny Car veteran, from an extensive list of contenders to wheel the nitro-fueled, 7,000-horsepower DHL entry for the remainder of the 2008 POWERade Drag Racing Series beginning with the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Aug. 27 – Sept. 1.
“We wanted to put someone in the car with experience, and someone who would appreciate the opportunity and would fit in with our team personality-wise. We found that in Jeff,” drag racing icon Connie said. “We had plenty of candidates for the position, but Jeff possesses the most of the qualities we are looking for.
The 31st Annual ACDelco Night Under Fire presented by Amalie Motor Oil returns Saturday, August 2 to “America’s Race Track,” Summit Motorsports Park, in Norwalk Ohio. The race is known as the “world’s largest single-day drag race,” and more than 35,000 fans are expected this year. It is one of Ohio’s largest sporting events.
