Madison, IL - Gateway International Raceway announced that over $12,000 was raised at this
evening's benefit for the Darrell Russell Memorial Fund during their Slick Tire Test and Tune.
Over 1,000 fans attended the emotional ceremony to pay tribute to former Top Fuel Drag Racer
Darrell Russell, who was fatally injured during last Sunday night's Sears Craftsman NHRA
Nationals. Gateway along with its drag racers, the fans, Wise Speed Shop, Doc's Harley
Davidson, ARCH Medical, the United Black Drag Racers Association of Missouri, CenterPlate
and KSD 93.7 FM, The Bull all contributed to money raised.
"I would like to thank all of the great fans of the region for helping us get through this very
difficult time," said Matt Strelo, Gateway's General Manager. "Their generosity and
willingness to help the Russell family during this time of tremendous sorrow shows once again
that our area has the best and most compassionate sports fans in the nation."
The ceremony started at 6:25 pm with opening remarks from Strelo followed by an emotional
prayer of remembrance by Racers For Christ Chaplain Glenn Krieder. Krieder concluded his
prayer by asking for a moment of silence which was followed by a moving tribute when Track
Champion Tim Foley idled his car down the right lane in a symbolic "missing man run" to
honor Darrell Russell at exactly 6:29 pm, the time of Russell's fatal accident. Amy Bratton of
Wildwood, MO performed the National Anthem and the racing got under way.
Funeral services for Darrell Russell will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in
Tomball, Texas. Burial will be at Klein Cemetery in Pinehurst, Texas. For those people that
wish to make a donation please send it to: Darrell Russell Memorial Fund, Partners Bank of
Texas, P.O. Box 60369, Houston, Texas 77205.
evening's benefit for the Darrell Russell Memorial Fund during their Slick Tire Test and Tune.
Over 1,000 fans attended the emotional ceremony to pay tribute to former Top Fuel Drag Racer
Darrell Russell, who was fatally injured during last Sunday night's Sears Craftsman NHRA
Nationals. Gateway along with its drag racers, the fans, Wise Speed Shop, Doc's Harley
Davidson, ARCH Medical, the United Black Drag Racers Association of Missouri, CenterPlate
and KSD 93.7 FM, The Bull all contributed to money raised.
"I would like to thank all of the great fans of the region for helping us get through this very
difficult time," said Matt Strelo, Gateway's General Manager. "Their generosity and
willingness to help the Russell family during this time of tremendous sorrow shows once again
that our area has the best and most compassionate sports fans in the nation."
The ceremony started at 6:25 pm with opening remarks from Strelo followed by an emotional
prayer of remembrance by Racers For Christ Chaplain Glenn Krieder. Krieder concluded his
prayer by asking for a moment of silence which was followed by a moving tribute when Track
Champion Tim Foley idled his car down the right lane in a symbolic "missing man run" to
honor Darrell Russell at exactly 6:29 pm, the time of Russell's fatal accident. Amy Bratton of
Wildwood, MO performed the National Anthem and the racing got under way.
Funeral services for Darrell Russell will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in
Tomball, Texas. Burial will be at Klein Cemetery in Pinehurst, Texas. For those people that
wish to make a donation please send it to: Darrell Russell Memorial Fund, Partners Bank of
Texas, P.O. Box 60369, Houston, Texas 77205.
