Drag racer killed in Illinois event

MADISON, ILLINOIS - Drag racer Darrell Russell died Sunday after his car broke up while traveling about 300 mph and burst into flames during a Top Fuel race at Gateway International Raceway.<br> <br> Russell had crossed the finish line on the quarter-mile strip and deployed his parachute when his dragster came apart in the second round of eliminations at the Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals.<br> <br> The car rolled to a halt near a guard wall and the fire was quickly put out.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> Sunday&#39;s event continued after a 45-minute delay.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> In his 2001 season, he became the third driver in NHRA history to win in his first start.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/6/157066