(Half of Wednesday Night's Event Proceeds To Be Donated In Memory of Late Top Fuel Driver)
Madison, IL - Gateway International Raceway announced it would donate half of its spectator
admissions from this Wednesday night, June 30th Slick Tire Test and Tune to the Darrell Russell
Memorial Fund. In addition, track partner Wise Speed Shop, in cooperation with their vendors,
will match the donation to the Memorial Fund. Russell was fatally injured during the second
round of eliminations of last Sunday's Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals.
Gates to the event will open at 5:00PM and the racing will start at 6:35PM. At 6:29PM, the time
of Sunday's accident, there will be a prayer of remembrance followed by a Moment-of-Silence,
a special missing-man tribute run, and the National Anthem. The track will also offer all racers
a black sticker with the initials "DR" to display on their racecars for the remainder of the 2004
season.
"Their has been a tremendous amount of interest from the local racing community in doing
something to help in this tragic time," said Matt Strelo, Gateway's Vice President and General
Manager. "We believe that Wednesday night's event will give people an opportunity to
remember Darrell and honor him and his family as well as raise a significant amount for the
Memorial Fund."
Throughout the course of the night, the Gateway Pit Crew team will solicit donations and sell
raffle tickets for a chance to win tickets to the NHRA 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Nationals in
Indianapolis. The track's goal is to raise $10,000 for the Memorial Fund during the evening.
Gates open at 5:00PM and the racing will take place from 6:35 to 10:30PM. Admission is $20
for racers and $10 for spectators.
Madison, IL - Gateway International Raceway announced it would donate half of its spectator
admissions from this Wednesday night, June 30th Slick Tire Test and Tune to the Darrell Russell
Memorial Fund. In addition, track partner Wise Speed Shop, in cooperation with their vendors,
will match the donation to the Memorial Fund. Russell was fatally injured during the second
round of eliminations of last Sunday's Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals.
Gates to the event will open at 5:00PM and the racing will start at 6:35PM. At 6:29PM, the time
of Sunday's accident, there will be a prayer of remembrance followed by a Moment-of-Silence,
a special missing-man tribute run, and the National Anthem. The track will also offer all racers
a black sticker with the initials "DR" to display on their racecars for the remainder of the 2004
season.
"Their has been a tremendous amount of interest from the local racing community in doing
something to help in this tragic time," said Matt Strelo, Gateway's Vice President and General
Manager. "We believe that Wednesday night's event will give people an opportunity to
remember Darrell and honor him and his family as well as raise a significant amount for the
Memorial Fund."
Throughout the course of the night, the Gateway Pit Crew team will solicit donations and sell
raffle tickets for a chance to win tickets to the NHRA 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Nationals in
Indianapolis. The track's goal is to raise $10,000 for the Memorial Fund during the evening.
Gates open at 5:00PM and the racing will take place from 6:35 to 10:30PM. Admission is $20
for racers and $10 for spectators.
