Remembering Darrell

Today marks two years since we lost Darrell in St. Louis.

Without any mention to lawsuits or anything negative, much like the thread they have going over at nitromater, I figured we could start a thread with some of our favorite memories of him.

I can remember being a kid when I asked who was this 'Russell Racing' car - 'oh just some super comp racers who bought one of Conway's old cars' next thing you know they were a dominating force in Div. 4.

The entire Russell family was a pleasure to be around.

One of the biggest memories for me, and looking back, was one of those moments in your life when a 'door' opens to future opportunity. At a Houston points race, one night Darrell was over at Jay's [Meyer] trailer, and he told me about Compuserve and how you could get race results as they happened. It wasn't very long thereafter I saved my lawn mowing money, got a computer and got on Compuserve. Now, roughly ten years later, I'm blessed to be able to run InsideTopAlcohol.com, InsideCompRacing.com and InsideFastBrackets.com.

I also get to brag about 'yeah, I called that' when one of my first stories I wrote for CompetitionPlus.com was a feature on Darrell Russell: A star waiting to happen. I think the story was published in November, and not long after, the story broke about him being hired for Amato. I think everyone just thought I had inside information, but I was just doing a story on someone I thought was a shoe-in to make it to the professional ranks. I was thrilled to hear he got such a good ride.

Aside from personal experiences with him, Darrell landing that ride really helps keep the fire burning for driver hopefuls like myself. Guys like Darrell, Scelzi, TJ and others hanging in there and landing rides really motivates guys like me trying to move up the ranks. Blaine and Darrell showed you could move from the alky ranks and go to the top.

It never hurts being a young driver when you have good friends like Darrell and Shelly pulling some strings for you upstairs...

We still miss you a bunch....Godspeed my friend...

Will Hanna
TAFC 425
ATC Racing