Competition R.I.P. Darrell Russell - NHRA racer

[HoleshotHolset]

It's was a sad day in drag racing, folks...



http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/9027678.htm



"MADISON, Ill. - National Hot Rod Association drag racer Darrell Russell died Sunday night from injuries suffered in a violent crash during the Sears Craftsman Nationals at Gateway International Raceway. "



Matt

 

[mcoleman]

I usually go to that race every year. This year I let my seats go. A good friend of runs in the Top Fuel class and got bumped out in the last round of qualifying. It hit all of the guys pretty hard according to him. Especially Joe.

 

[TravisG]

God bless him, his family and be with them in their time of need.

 

[JGheen]

Man, gonna miss such a great guy! I couldn't believe he died from that crash. It was pretty violent, but the car didn't roll or anything like that. Just came apart/broke @ 320mph, caught fire and ran into the wall. Did they say what he was killed from?

 

[ata]

They didn't say much about it other then he got hit by debris from the wreck?

 

[Rhondasway]

Wow. That's tragic.

The NHRA really does do well in protecting participants and spectators considering how few deaths actually happen per number of passes...

 

[bmoeller]

Heard about it on the radio. What a nasty way to go.

 

[fest3er]

Originally posted by ata
They didn't say much about it other then he got hit by debris from the wreck?

If it wasn't debris and there was a significant side impact against the wall, it's possible his heart got sloshed around and torn up. A friend's brother died from this after a drunk t-boned him. (The drunk failed to stop at a T intersection, kind-of made the turn and came back and hit Bill's car in the driver's door. Bill seemed to be doing OK, but then he suddenly up and died. )

This is, of course, pure conjecture, since the actual C. O. D hasn't been published.

N

 

[sbentz]

Amen

None better than him. What a loss. I have some friends on Top Fuel Teams, and will talk to them at the Mile Highs in 3 weeks. Maybe by then they will say what really happened.

 

[Rhondasway]

BTW, he and Joe Amato were on the cover of the National Dragster Mag, June 25 (last Friday).

 

[MMeier]

Been looking at that cover for 2 days now, at least he went doing something he loved, how many of us will be that lucky? Race In Peace Darrell !!

 

[Rhondasway]

A friend of mine, Jim Bailey, I believe was the last person to die at Seattle International Raceway ('92), racing his road bike. He truly lived to race; used to keep his bike in his apartment.

 

[sbentz]

Eerie

Originally posted by Rhondasway

BTW, he and Joe Amato were on the cover of the National Dragster Mag, June 25 (last Friday).

I called to get some more copies of the National Dragster issue that we were featured in, for my sponsors, and it is getting grabbed up because of the cover... ...