NHRA Driver Killed
 

This is the painful part of being a motorsports fan. :( RIP Darrell

Roby


NHRA driver Russell killed at Gateway track
MADISON, Ill. (AP) — Drag racer Darrell Russell was killed Sunday after his car broke up and burst into flames during a Top Fuel race at Gateway International Raceway.
Russell had crossed the finish line on the quarter-mile strip and deployed his parachute when his dragster came apart during a run against Scott Kalitta in the second round of eliminations at the Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals.

The car rolled to a halt near a guard wall and the fire was quickly put out.

The 35-year-old from Hockley, Texas, was unconscious when he was cut from the wreckage, immobilized with a brace and placed on a backboard. He was taken by helicopter to the St. Louis University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead about two hours later.

Russell is the first participant to be killed in competition at an NHRA national event since Blaine Johnson died in a crash during a qualifying run in the 1996 U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

Sunday's event continued after a 45-minute delay.

Russell, the 2001 NHRA rookie of the year, had six career Top Fuel victories, including the Pontiac Excitement Nationals two weeks ago in Columbus, Ohio.

In his 2001 season, he became the third driver in NHRA history to win in his first start.

Re: NHRA Driver Killed
 

Very sad news! :(

Re: NHRA Driver Killed
 

Sad News Indeed! Rip

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man i saw it happen on TV and changed before it came back to tell how he was...absolutely terrible to hear

Re: NHRA Driver Killed
 

What a tragedy ..... I actually met his crew chief a few times.

Re: NHRA Driver Killed
 

RIP Russel :(

Re: NHRA Driver Killed
 

Very Sad news :(

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Bummer

Re: NHRA Driver Killed
 

I was watching it also......the rear tire blew up, then the rear wing, then the whole car just seemed to come apart. I thought it was about to take out Scott Kalatta also. This is very sad news.....I know he was a very liked man with the teams and fans. One things for sure..........he's in a better place now. RIP Darrell

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He was aclass act and will be missed by many.
My prayers to his family

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:( :( :(

Re: NHRA Driver Killed
 

What a terrible shame. Condolances.

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Awful news...just saw them run last weekend in Englishtown, and was watching last nite on TV...

RIP... :(

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My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and crew.

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He just broke the track record Friday night @ 4.51. RIP Darrell Russell. My
prayers are with family & friends.

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RIP, condolences to the family and friends

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I was watching also and thought for sure he would be ok. I was shocked when they came on and said that he had died. My thoughts and prayers are with everybody involved.

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I was at the track Friday night and watched him run low et. Couldn't believe the sad news I heard after returning from LOTO Sunday night. Sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

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I was at the race last weekend in Englishtown, saw him hanging around in the pits. Not a good day for Drag Racing.

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My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and crew. :(

Re: NHRA Driver Killed
 

Very suprised he died, what a shame. The car broke the way it was suposed to, thought for sure he was o.k.