Tribute to the Kalitta family

DELAWARE, Ohio (June 23) -- With roots in the sport as deep as the Kalitta family, the four Coughlin brothers and family patriarch Jeg Coughlin Sr. are mourning the loss of Scott Kalitta this Monday morning and honoring their fallen friend at the headquarters of JEGS Mail Order in Delaware, Ohio, by flying their flags at half mast.

"For as long as I've raced, Scott Kalitta has been out there," said Jeg Coughlin Jr., the youngest of the four racing brothers. "I remember as a kid helping Dad race at National Trail and we were up in the staging lanes and there was some sort of delay. Scott was in his dragster but he got out to wait and jumped up to sit on the rear tire. He unzipped his firesuit because it was so hot and he peeled it off and he didn't even have a shirt on underneath. I was like, wow, that dude is tough.

"In later years I got to know him because he always hung out with my brother John and he had this air about him that was really cool. He was just the epitome of a drag racer to me -- tough looking, super good at the Tree, and a winner.

"We all talked about Scott this morning, said a prayer, and shared our memories of him. What a sad deal. Our hearts go out to Kathy and the boys, as well as Connie and the entire race team he has over there. He'll never be forgotten by the Coughlin family."