Date: 2008-06-22 10:09 Subject: Scott Kalitta Security: Public Current Mood: sad

Not many people who read this know that I'm a lifelong drag racing fan. Only one relative is (my uncle who lives in Nevada) and none of my friends are, which is why I've never been to an event. I almost talked myself into taking Himself to Englishtown this weekend, but man am I glad I didn't. I would hate to have to explain to him that one of the top drivers died in a crash--even worse if we had gone yesterday and he had actually seen it.

As with so many who have gone before him, my hope is that analysis of what happened will help to make the sport that much safer. The physics of drag racing are staggering--power, speed, acceleration, temperatures, pressures, viscosities, coefficients of friction, all of it. It's a wonder it can be done at all. That so few drivers die or are seriously injured any more, compared with decades ago where the cars were basically nitro-powered coffins, is little short of miraculous.

It doesn't make it any easier for those few or their families, though.

From: basefinder Date: 2008-06-22 08:12 pm (UTC) (Link)

It's gonna be tough seeing that empty lane in the semi-finals today.

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