Darrell Russell
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Darrell Russell (September 20, 1968 - June 27, 2004) was an NHRA drag racer.
He was the 2001 NHRA Rookie Of The Year. At the time he was only the 3rd driver to win in his Professional debut.
In four seasons of competition in NHRA Top Fuel Dragsters, he compiled a record of 106 wins versus 75 loses. He won six (6) events and was runner-up at eleven (11) others, out of eighty-one (81) events entered.
He was fatally injured during eliminations at the Sears Craftsman Nationals in Madison, Illinois when his dragster broke up and burst into flames after crossing the finish line.He could not see and hit the guard rail. His car folded in half. He died of severe head injuries. Russell is the first racer to be killed at an NHRA national event since 1996.
He was interred in the Klein Cemetery in Pinehurst, Texas.
In light of Russell's death, the NHRA implemented several new safety standards regarding the tires and roll cages in Top Fuel and Funny Car dragsters.
External link
- NHRA profile on Darrell Russell (http://www.nhra.com/2004/news/june/russell/index.html)