Pomona: Scott Kalitta final report

Scott Kalitta, DHL Toyota Solara Funny Car -- No. 4 qualifier, advanced to round one

Scott Kalitta and the DHL team take a disappointing early exit in Pomona

POMONA, Calif., (Feb. 10, 2008) -- Sunday at the season-opening event of the 2008 POWERade Drag Racing Series, the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona (Calif.), Scott Kalitta, driver of the bright yellow and red DHL Toyota Solara Funny Car, had a great deal of confidence going into final eliminations, but the tricky track in Pomona dashed his hopes of winning his second Winternationals title trophy.

After qualifying with a stellar 4.818-second, 322.65-mph lap down the quarter-mile to land him in the No. 4 spot on the eliminations ladder, Scott and the DHL team looked set to deliver round wins, but with the sun beating down on the race track in the opening round, the DHL flopper experienced traction problems against No. 13 qualifier Gary Scelzi. Scelzi was then able to get the upset win, 10.639 sec., 78.11 mph to 4.911 sec., 317.94 mph.

-credit: km