Kalitta Motorsports will honor the late Scott Kalitta with a throwback livery during this weekend’s PRO Superstar Shootout in Bradenton, Fla. The 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series kicks off March 7-9 at the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.
Todd’s Team Kalitta GR Supra Funny Car will feature the bright red Kalitta Flying Service design, which Scott Kalitta raced to his first NHRA national event win in 1989. Scott Kalitta won the NHRA Top Fuel championship in 1994 and 1995, and is among only 19 drivers to win races in both Top Fuel and Funny Car.
Scott Kalitta became the first Top Fuel driver to win four consecutive races in 1994, claiming victory at events in Columbus, Ohio; Topeka, Kan.; Denver; and Sonoma, Calif. He finished his championship-winning season with five total victories and added six wins in 1995, securing a second consecutive title.
“It means a lot to me to run a Scott Kalitta tribute car,” Todd said. “Scott’s family lives in the area, and I’m sure they’ll be at the race again this weekend. It’s a big deal – I’ve always wanted to run a throwback car since I started with Kalitta Motorsports.”
Todd expressed enthusiasm for the fan appeal of the throwback car after seeing its design. “Any time you have any sort of throwback, it draws a big reaction from the fans,” he said.
“It’s a tribute to Scott, but it’s for Connie more than anything else,” Kalitta Motorsports General Manager Chad Head said. “We just wanted to find a meaningful way to thank him for what he does.” He added that Team Owner Connie Kalitta was pleased with the surprise reveal of the tribute car.
