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