NHRA News: Racers, friends remember Top Fuel star Russell (6/28/2004)

Racers, friends remember Top Fuel star Russell

6/28/2004

Darrell Russell

Reaction from the NHRA Drag Racing world from fellow competitors, fans, and sponsors was immediate and emotional in the wake of the death of Top Fuel racer Darrell Russell, who was fatally injured June 27 during final eliminations at the 8th annual Sears Craftsman Nationals.

The Coca-Cola Company, who sponsors the title NHRA series through its POWERade brand, joined the NHRA in expressing its regrets to the Russell family and the Amato racing team, and issued the following statement: "Yesterday the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing family lost a great competitor and man when Darrell Russell was tragically killed in a high speed racing accident during the NHRA Sears Craftsman Nationals at Gateway International Raceway in St. Louis.

"On behalf of POWERade, The Coca-Cola Company, Coca-Cola Enterprises and our employees, we extend our condolences and sympathies to Darrell's wife Julie, his family and friends and also to Joe Amato and the Amato Racing team. Darrell's infectious smile and enthusiasm will be missed by all of us, and our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time."

Champions at the event, the 12th of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series this season, were subdued in light of the loss.

Funny Car winner Gary Scelzi, who like Russell came up through the Alcohol Dragster ranks and had recommended to Joe Amato that Russell drive his Top Fuel dragster, commented in the winner's circle, with tears in his eyes, "There are no guarantees in life, and there are no guarantees that you can make a living doing something you love every day. Darrell Russell loved what he did and it's unfortunate and sad and it really bothers me, but I've got to say he was doing what he loved. I've been in this position before several times and I keep coming back. So, if that's our destiny and that's what God's got laid out for us, so be it. It's a tragic shame, but Darrell touched a lot of people and that's all I can say. He died doing what he enjoyed."

Twelve-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force, who was runner-up at the event, commented, "We had a good weekend, but it just doesn't mean very much when you lose somebody that's family and Darrell Russell was family. He was a kid that I looked at hiring to drive one of my cars because he was the All-American person. I just feel really bad for the family."

“I knew Darrell as a winner and an all-around nice guy,” said Pro Stock Bike champ Steve Johnson. “It’s so hard, but I think I can say he died doing what he loved to do. It made me think, as I always do, about the late John Myers. He was my best friend and I know he was with us in the winner’s circle."

"I don't think there was a better person than Darrell, and ultimately that's how we're measured," said Funny Car racer Whit Bazemore. "It's not in victories or abilities, it's what kind of person you are. He was a great racer, but a better person; he was in my opinion the best person in the sport. And that's what hurts the most."

"I feel absolutely horrible," said Top Fuel racer Tony Schumacher, who made a quick trip to St. Louis University Medical Center following his second-round loss. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Darrell's wife and the entire Russell family. I'm at a loss for words right now."

Schumacher's U.S. Army racing Pro Stock teammates Antron Brown and Angelle Savoie, also expressed their sentiments.

"Darrell was such a great guy and a rising star in the sport," said Brown. "I don't think there was ever a time I didn't see a smile on his face. We will miss him in the worst way."

"The entire U.S. Army Racing team extends its condolences to the Russell family," said Savoie. "We all feel so helpless in these type situations. All we can do is be there for the family should they need us. This is a sad day for the sport of drag racing. We've lost a wonderful member of our NHRA family."

“All of us as drivers understand the risks we take,” said Kenny Bernstein. “But all of us in this racing fraternity are hurting. Darrell loved driving the race car. He was a very kind individual and a heck of a driver. He will be sorely missed and our hearts go out to his wife, mom and dad, team owner Joe Amato and all the crew members. Darrell was a special kind of guy.”

David Baca, who competed against Russell in both Top Fuel and Top Alcohol dragster, said. "I want to express my sympathies, and those of my partner Rick Henkelman and our entire team, to the entire Russell family, his wife Julie and parents, his friends and to Joe Amato and all the crew at Amato Racing.

"Next to Darrell, both the man and the racer. We lost an ambassador, a poster boy for NHRA drag racing, and my friend. We raced against each other many times. He was the kindest, nicest person both on the track and off. In all my years of knowing Darrell, both in competition and away from the track, I never once heard Darrell say anything negative about anybody or anything. Every time I picture Darrell, all I see is teeth. All you saw was his smile. A good old Texas, down home gentleman and gentle man. Handsome and wholesome. A winner on the track who was just now developing into a superstar.

"It's a shame that one as young as Darrell is taken from us, but I do believe that even though he is not with us, he is in a better place today. I feel for his wife and parents because death is tough on the living.

"In closing, let me say that my whole family, from my father to my wife and children, are thinking and praying that in the coming days, all the Russell family will begin to heal. While it may not seem like it now, your faith and your strength and the strength of those around you will carry you through. I firmly believe that. Goodbye Darrell, you will be missed each and every day."

Funny Car's Del Worsham added, "Darrell was everything you'd ever want your own brother, son, or good friend to be. The world and our sport are worse off right now, without Darrell. All of our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and everyone who knew him. When you lose someone as wonderful, and caring, and genuine as Darrell Russell, you can't put any of that out of your mind. We're gathering and supporting each other, as this close community always does, but it's hard. It's a tragedy."

"Darrell was a genuine nice guy. He was a Nitro Fish teammate and a former Matco Tools teammate of mine, and I had just spent Saturday along side him signing autographs at the Nitro Fish trailer," said Pro Stock Bike racer Craig Treble. "He loved drag racing and driving a Top Fuel dragster, it's a tragedy for his family."

Las Vegas Motor Speedway general manager Chris Powell: “Everyone at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is saddened by the death of Darrell Russell. In his short career as a professional drag racer, Darrell became a champion both on and off the track. He was a true friend to Las Vegas Motor Speedway and a past winner here. He participated in every driver autograph session the track promoted, and was always eager to assist with both public relations and hospitality for our events. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his race team and the entire drag-racing community. He will be missed.”

NHRA was deluged with e-mails from race fans expressing their condolences on the loss of Russell. Below are a few select remembrances:

"The happiness on the cover of National DRAGSTER last week, now this. I am numb just thinking of it. My heart goes out to the whole family of drag racers. I am just a fan at home watching on T.V.; these guys spend their lives with each other. God bless Darrel Russell, his family and Joe, too." -- Glenn W. Miller, Pittsburg, Calif.

"Darrell was a great man and seemed to have been liked by all. He will be missed. May the One who halts the sparrow's fall, hold Darrell in His hands, now and always." -- Mr. and Mrs. David and Christy Myers, Eugene Ore.

"This is one of the most somber days in NHRA history. The loss of Darrell Russell is still hard to believe. My wife, daughter and I were watching the race when this terrible event happened and my wife and I sat there in total shock with what we had just witnessed. My 9-year-old daughter, who has just started to watch drag racing did not really understand what had occurred. But she knew enough to want to write a letter about Darrell Russell. The letter simply states 'Darrell Russell was a good man and a good sport too, we're going to miss him.' Indeed we are going to miss him. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Russell family, the Joe Amato Racing family and all the other drivers and crews in the NHRA family. Darrell was doing what he loved to do. And that's what really matters in life." -- The Sirianni family

"They say in death, they measure how much you will be missed, by your accomplishments in life, and Darrell will be truly missed. His accomplishments so early in a career will be hard to match. the true thing Darrell had was sportmanship. Darrell was one of the very few drivers, who when they lost, did not lose their temper and do, or, say things that were unsportsmanlike. When he lost, he bowed out style, and went on to the next race. He was quick to condemn himself for errors, but never his teammates ! This is an example of a class act, and he will be truly missed. I hope the team can carry on, if that is their desire, but if they do not, may God bless you all for being a part of the "team" that Darrell was a part of, and to Joe Amato for giving him the chance to live his dream." -- Dave and Dee Smith

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