Top Fuel racer fatally injured in racing accident
 

Top Fuel driver Darrell Russell was fatally injured today as a result of a crash during race eliminations at an NHRA National Event at Gateway International Raceway.

Russell, 35, of Hockley, Texas, was competing in the second round of eliminations when his dragster went out of control and crashed just past the finish line. Russell was extracted from his dragster by NHRA emergency services officials and transported by air to the St. Louis Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

Russell, driver of the dragster owned by NHRA legend Joe Amato, was the event's top qualifier and was coming off a victory recently in Columbus, Ohio. During his four year career he had earned six victories in 17 final rounds. He posted a career-best fourth place points finish in 2003 and was currently fourth in the Top Fuel points standings.

NHRA deeply regrets that this tragic accident occurred and sends its thoughts and sentiments out to the Russell family and the Amato Racing team.

NHRA will provide information on funeral arrangements as soon as they become available.




http://www.nhra.com/2004/news/june/062701.html


I was shocked when I heard this last night on ESPN, they showed the wreck it didn't look that bad, I've seen worse. Plus with all the safety equipment that is used you'd think he'd be sore as all hell but not fatally injured.

Sad.

:(

That sucks, I would have thought he had enough safety measures in place to stop something like that happening

Have you seen the video yet? I was listening to Rome and he said it was pretty bad.

i didnt see the incident, but speeds on those dragsters are over
320mph at the top end of the track. the NHRA family is in shock today. RIP Darrell Russell .....

I saw the video clip last night on ESPN. The car hit the left wall, burst into flames, and continue down the track.

How many times has Force done that? Granted he has a firewall but the engine is still forward of the driver. I wonder if the imapct sent him into cardiac arrest.

It really sucked to hear this since we had just enjoyed some great bracket racing Saturday during the Good Guys Nitro Nationals in Pomona.

Damn...that sucks...very dangerous sport...I miss Greg Moore :(

Damn that certainly sucks, but speed kills :(

no speed doesnt kill, its the stopping that does

That sucks, They do have the best safety equipment out but death cheats you one way or another.

this is way unkewl.. :(