Fri, 16 May 2008, 02:50 PM Darrell Russell Tribute Firesuit to Go on Display at Houston Raceway Park

Courtesy of Rob Geiger

HOUSTON -- The Darrell Russell tribute firesuit worn by Top Fuel driver Alan Bradshaw at the recently-completed 12th annual O'Reilly Midwest NHRA Nationals will have a permanent home in Russell's hometown of Houston.

Seth Angel, general manager and co-owner of Houston Raceway Park, was the highest bidder for the firesuit, which was auctioned online at eBay. Angel paid $1,100 for the one-of-a-kind item and plans to have it framed and hung in a prominent place in the racetrack's Top Eliminator Club, which is already named in Russell's honor.

"I was going to pay whatever it cost to get that suit," Angel said. "It belongs here. It belongs in Texas and Houston Raceway Park, where Darrell had so much success. We're going to get it mounted and framed up so we can share it with Darrell's fans. It's great to remember and honor a wonderful person like Darrell. He will never be forgotten at Houston Raceway Park."

A native Houstonian, Russell lost his life in 2004 in a high-speed accident at Gateway International Raceway in St. Louis. At this year's race, the Russell family, in conjunction with Dexter Tuttle Racing and driver Alan Bradshaw of Odessa, Texas, ran a special-edition tribute dragster. As part of the theme, Bradshaw wore a unique Russell-themed firesuit and helmet. Both items were donated to the Russell family, who then decided to sell the pieces on eBay with all proceeds going to Racers For Christ.

"Racers For Christ and DRAW (the Drag Racing Association of Women) offered so much support to our family during one of the hardest times of our lives," said Chris Russell, Darrell's younger brother. "We thought it would be just like Darrell to raise money for them so they can turn around and help others.

"Rob Geiger wrote a wonderful book, Darrell Russell: Broad Smiles, Quarter-Miles, with all the proceeds from book sales going to DRAW, so we thought we'd hold these two auctions for RFC. We also have auctions coming up with all the crew uniforms.

"We're really honored that Seth bought the suit. Houston Raceway Park has always been our family's home track. That will never change."

Bradshaw's helmet was won by Jerrod Felix, the owner of Nitromater.com. Felix, a long-time friend of Russell, paid $2,100 for the helmet.

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