NHRA Driver Killed
06-27-2004, 11:19 PM
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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.
RIP DarrellRoby
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.
06-28-2004, 06:46 AM
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Re: NHRA Driver Killed
RIP Russel
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06-28-2004, 06:54 AM
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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
