Connie Kalitta Stats Category: Drag Racing CLASS OF: 1992 Biography Accomplished businessman, pilot, and drag racer, Michigan's Conrad "Connie" Kalitta would rather come up with a new path to success than trod the heavily worn path of his competitors. During that period, he has assisted in the purchase of more than 100 aircraft and represented the company in countless aircraft related transactions. His methodology has achieved winning results far more often than not. He also served with the Navy and Naval Reserve for a total of 26 years. He did reach the finals at Pomona twice, losing to Eddie Hill in the 1995 Winternationals and to Joe Amato in the 1996 Winston Finals. Kalitta's father is the now-deceased Doug Kalitta Sr., and he is the nephew of Connie Kalitta, a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. Connie Kalitta Net Worth, Biography, Wife, Age, Height, Weight, and many more details can be checked on this page. Connie Kalitta is a legend in the world of drag racing. 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Corinna Kopf Net Worth 2023: Earnings Income Career Home Age, Cocomelon Net Worth 2023 (Jay Jeon Wealth) Youtube Income, Lilliana Ketchman Net Worth 2023: YouTube Income Career Age, Casey Neistat Net Worth 2023: YouTube Income Career Car Age, FaZe Banks Net Worth 2023: YouTube Income Career House Age. CK: Three million per car. He is one of the most famous racers of the timewho is known for his fast driving speed. These are happy days in the house of Kalitta. YPSILANTI, Mich., (June 27, 2007) -- Doug Kalitta, Sr., the father of NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta and brother of drag racing legend Conrad "Connie". After sitting out the 1995 season, he was back in 1996, strong enough to finish third in the Pomona half-mile, and he raced a full season last year. [5] In 2001, the 50th Anniversary list of National Hot Rod Association Top 50 Drivers, 1951-2000, ranked Kalitta at #21.[2]. The Copper World Classic, in its 21st renewal, features USAC midgets and Silver Crown cars, NASCAR Featherlite Southwest stock cars and super modifieds from the Western Super Modified Racing Assn. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management. We promise not to use your email address for anything but exclusive updates from the Power Automedia Network. Must checkCarter Reum Net WorthandWichai Thongtang Net Worth. 1 The average fleet age is based on our own calculations and may differ from other figures. Connie Kalitta is stubborn and blunt. CK: Around 100, including 30 747s, with 16 operating right now. Kalitta won five world championships and set the world's speed record on more than one occasion. He started professional racing when he was 22 years old in 1960. First, Kalitta achieved a lot in life as a racer, and the best among them is the nickname given to him, The Bounty Hunter. Technology truth is the platform where we are not just interested with filling your browser with garbage news. His hands were slashed in the ensuing scuffle, buthe quickly delivered his bruised assailant to police on thetarmac below. His injuries wereminor (a broken leg, four broken ribs, a punctured lung and afew dislodged teeth), but Scott, sitting beside him in theambulance, didn't know that then. He made history with the first 200mph run at an NHRA-sanctioned event in 1964. "He's nevertold me that," Scott says of Connie. Four years later, his one good eye focused on the blinking lights of the Christmas tree they used back then to start races, Kalitta drove his Ford dragster to victory in 7.17 seconds at 218.43 mph. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorization. The world's best American businessman "Connie Kalitta" has a net worth of $210 Million. Nationals. Sensing that Scott was developinga taste for hanging out, Connie made him a deal: Graduate fromhigh school, and I'll build you a race car. As we previously mentioned, Connie was very private about his relationship. Photo: Jamie Squire/Allsport * In 2001, named one of National Hot Rod Association Top 50 Drivers, 1951-2000 (No. In 1993, free of the alcohol problem and reunited with tuner Johnny Goad, Graham made one of racings most remarkable comebacks. They together were the icons from drag racing for all the aspiring and newcomer racers of their time. [3], Kalitta was runner-up at the 1963 NHRA Winternationals in Top Gas and at the 1965 NHRA SpringNationals in Top Fuel. It's the Bounty Hunter's birthday! Connie Kalittas net worth is approximated to be around $210 million. So powerful in fact that it set ET and top speed records and won many races. His engine roars likean angry dinosaur, and in 4.86 seconds he wins the round. Next week, for instance, Doug and I have a meeting in Fort Lauderdale. Then came another disaster. Connie Kalitta was one of the first to use the 427 SOHC Ford in a AA/Fuel Dragster. Sort: All Results. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Born in Mount Clemens, Michigan, he went on to graduate from Mount Clemens High School. Kalitta was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1992. "Who's that?" Data Processor - OSC Hangar Maintenance. Two of the most popular drag racers of the 1970s and 1980s were Connie Kalitta "The Bounty Hunter" and Shirley "Cha-Cha" Muldowney. Boasting 34+ years of experience in Aircraft Maintenance Operations and Production Management, Zoltan Kocis began his career withtheKalitta family back in 1999. In addition, Kalitta Air maintains an engine repair facility and an FAA approved 145 repair station in Oscoda, Michigan where it performs engine overhaul and maintenance on aircraft. Scott Kalitta was a drag race car driver recently killed in what they called a "freak" accident. They know how to win, and Connies helping me too, so I dont know why we shouldnt be going for the championship.. Kalitta Motorsports fields three full-time entries in the NHRA Mello Yello nitro classes. . Kalitta Motorsports. [6] He is the uncle of racer Doug Kalitta. Conrad "Connie" Kalitta (born February 24, 1938) is an American businessman and former drag racing driver, nicknamed "The Bounty Hunter". Conrad Kalitta is its sole owner. CK: I never thought of retiring. Previously named were Winston Cup regulars Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett and Jeff Burton. Each transporter rig, for instance, is worth $1 million empty. I used to own some hobby aircraft, but I got rid of them. You would be wrong. Share More sharing options. I didnt have the time. April 15, 2019Legendary drag racer and air freight magnate Conrad "Connie" Kalitta was enshrined in the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 13, 2019. C/D: You certainly must be our only interviewee to have foiled a crazed hijacker. We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request. You must log in or register to reply here. "He was almost crying," Scott says of thatmoment five years ago. I wouldn't do that and get on anyone's radar unless you need to do so. He kept a "most wanted" list of drivers he intended to beat, and then crossed off their names when he did so. 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Scott Kalitta, son of drag racing legend Connie Kalitta and two-time NHRA Top Fuel Dragster World Champion, died Saturday afternoon, June 21, while on a qualifying run for the Lucas Oil NHRA. With his Logghe of Ford Mustangs and Shirley Muldowney with her Buttera chassis of Ford Mustangs, Kalitta teamed up with each other to make the pair of Bounty Hunter and Bounty Huntress. When it was evident that the interruption in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic might be a prolonged one, Kalitta . He is responsible for all financial functions including treasury, financial planning and analysis, accounting, budgeting, financial reporting and tax matters. He's survived by his father, wife Kathy and sons Corey, 14, and Colin, 8. Official page for Kalitta Motorsports. George Kelsey is a member of the Kalitta Air Board of Directors and is the Companys secretary. He is still a pretty busy man. The Kalittas made drag racing history at Houston when they ran the quickest side-by-side race ever--Scott's 4.748 seconds beating his father's 4.789. He used to make annually around $20 million dollars. He raced from the 1950s through the 1990s. New tracks like Las Vegas, hell, you could drive off the end of that track and continue safely 20 miles into the desert. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You have entered an incorrect email address! But before it got real bad, a cop pressed a gun to the guys head. Corey Kalitta, age 20 months, extrudes a bread bolus, slowlydribbling it from his mouth. A public memorial service to celebrate the life of Scott Kalitta will be held Thursday, June 26 at 7 p.m. at Ernsthausen . Before Kalitta was through, along came his son, Scott, who wasted no time in making his mark. At the moment, though,Scott Kalitta has other concerns. Conrad Connie Kalitta is the CEO of Kalitta Air and a retired American drag racing driver once known as The Bounty Hunter. Hirashima, who died in 1980, rode with Rex Mays in 1935 and 1936, when Mays was the pole-sitter, and also built the engine Rodger Ward won with in 1959. . Rhodes became the Vice President of Operations and the FAA 119 Director of Operations in September of 2019. What is this light like in space for 150 years? I make sure they get credit for their work. The NHRA said the 46-year-old Kalitta - the 1994 and 1995 Top Fuel season champion who had 18 career victories, 17 in Top Fuel and one in Funny Car - was taken to the Old Bridge division of Raritan Bay Medical Center, where he died a short time later. Kalitta grew up in Mount Clemens, Michigan, and was a 1957 graduate of Mount Clemens Hig The former racer is an energetic personality and the owner of a business. In minutes he willstomp on the accelerator, uncork more than 5,000 horsepower andbe slammed back into his seat, going from zero to 100 mph inless than a second. Connie Kalitta Biography Here, at the 1967 NHRA Nationals he prepares to push back to the pits after a run at IRP. C/D: We assume youre now in better health. "Our goal every year at Kalitta Motorsports is to win the NHRA world championship in Top Fuel and Funny Car. Previously, Strzynski was Corporate Controller of American International Airways for approximately seven years and has held other financial management positions with increasing reasonability. I have 900 maintenance people. CK: A lot of people have put that tattoo on me, but its not the way I am. He is nicknamed "The Bounty Hunter". Sadly, Kalitta's career would come to a premature halt after he tragically lost his life in a crash during a qualifying event. "Business is business," says Connie. ", Connie's recollections are succinct. He is deaf in his left earafter spending so many years around cars and airplanes, and hehas been blind in his right eye since it was struck by a pieceof metal that had chipped off a chisel he was using when he was18. Connie Kalitta was born to his parents in Michigan on 24th February 1938. And thats the spirit we should keep throughout our life. Naturally, sometimes a guy will screw up, and Ill have to apply some retraining.. C/D: Are you ever tempted to walk into one of your hangars and say, I think Ill fly to Rome today? I have a lazy left eye My right eye is 20/15 uncorrected, my left eye is 20/60 uncorrected and 20/20 varible 20/25 to 20/30 corrected. I watched what she was doingcrashing. He has been an oval track driver, winning the U.S. Auto Club sprint car championship in 1994 and racing last year in sprint cars and midgets. Connie was the first driver in an NHRA sanctioned event to hit 200 mph mark in the speed-o-meter. He had returned to racing many years after retiring from a successful and safe career. Connie is president. CK: Nope. AIA was one of the world's 25 largest airlines with revenues in excess of $400 million derived from both scheduled and on-demand air charters as well as third party engine and airframe maintenance service. During his USAC career, Doug won 14 midget and seven sprint car races. He has been a successful Motorsport team owner. He grew up in Mount Clemens Michigan and was a 1957 graduate of Mount Clemens High School. Connie Kalitta ranks as one of the sport's biggest names following his sweep of Top Fuel Eliminator titles early in 1967 in his Ford-powered AA/Fuel Dragster. Kalitta stared at the wall right up to impact. Although he never won at Pomona, Scott Kalitta won two world championships in top fuel, in 1994 and 1995. He has a very successful Motor Sports company that gives him around 20 million dollars every year. Im easy with employees. JavaScript is disabled. 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