Thread: RIP Darrell Russell

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We lost Top Fuel Drag Racer Darrell Russell in a horrific crash yesterday at the Gateway Nationals near St Louis. It appeared one rear slick blew near the finish line and took out the wing, the car went out of control, broke into three pieces and actually came over and tapped Scott Kalitta in the other lane just past the finish line. Kalitta managed to make an evasive manuever and avoid damage. Russell's car burst into flames as it came to rest near the guard rail. The Safety Safari was on it quickly and extinguished the fire and worked to cut him out of the car. They life flighted him to St Louis, but he did not survive.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the drag racing community. A terrible loss., he was 35 years old with a wife and child I believe.

Pat

Just a thought Does anyone think that Garlits mono wing design could have prevented Darrell's wing from completely collapsing?

Possibly, I also wonder if the car had the device on it that Larry Dixon designed after his similar crash. His was attached to the wing struts and deployed the parachute if either of them broke. The idea was that it would pull the car straight and slow it down.

I don't remember if DIxon's crash involved a blown tire or if it was only the wing strut failure.

I have not seen or heard anything about what may have caused the tire failure in Russell's car. I know the new series of Goodyear slicks were supposed to be less prone to failure.

Pat

Pat

As bad as this sounds I hope he didn't suffer. That sounds odd I know, but I think in a situation like that the body goes into shock and there isn't too much pain. I hope that was the case here. I say that because when I was younger I was in a fuel fire situation. I had 1st. 2nd & 3rd. degree burns on my face hands and body. This was many many years ago but believe me... you don't forget. I had no pain during the accident. But awhile later, ... well let's just say i wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

A tragic loss to drag racing and the world in general. As fast and as violent as these cars are, death is unfortunately always going to be a part of racing them. I am sure the powers that be will carefully analyze this crash and learn something from it to make the rest of the cars safer. I'm sure Darrell knew the risks involved, and accepted that risk as part of the thrill of being able to do what he loved to do. Nevertheless, a tragic loss.

I was there @ the finish line when it happened ... not good

I was there also, one of my few drag racing outings, I knew the fire didn't get him, and the chute was out when things started happening, One of my buddies knows one of the paramedics and was told that he had blood from his ears & nose wich to me indicates a head injury,
their theory was debris got him, And the local radio station just announced that he passed from a basil skull injury, But not sure if ya can rely on that info.....
In any case GOD SPEED DARRELL,

I agree that it was a sad day. We are told that they thought that a piece of the tire hit him and actually he was probably unconcieus(sp) before the fire and breakup of the chassis. I don't think any other drag racer has ever crashed at the speed he was going when the tire let go. He had the fastest car in the sport for the last 3 events. The car was bowed up and making some serious horsepower when he crossed the fininsh line.

I wonder what the response will be from NHRA and Goodyear seeing as how they made everyone start using the "Safer" tire this year. I know this is the 2nd. one I have seen let go. Dixon lucked out and was not fully up to speed when his exploded.

Check out NHRA.com, they just released a new tire mandate for top fuel and funny's for Denver. They didn't say what it is, but I'll bet Goodyear went back to the drawing board.