NHRA: Atlanta race represents unfinished business for Team Amato

ATLANTA (May 1) – One year ago, Top Fuel driver Darrell Russell, the
handpicked successor to NHRA legend Joe Amato, appeared to have the
title of the Southern Nationals at hand. After plowing through a
competitive field of racers, Russell arrived at the starting line for
the finals with a steady and quick race car that had run well enough to
earn him lane choice in the title round. Then the unthinkable happened:
After his pre-race burnout, Russell’s car would not shift into reverse
and he was forced to drive off the track and forfeit his run.

“It was such a huge letdown for all of us,” Russell said. “I really felt
like we had the car to beat but we never got to find out. I’m not saying
we would have beat [final round opponent] Mike Dunn for sure but it sure
would’ve been nice to race him to see what would have happened.”

Russell and the entire Bilstein Engine Flush System team will look for a
measure of redemption this weekend during the 22nd annual Summit Racing
Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals presented by Pontiac at Atlanta
Dragway. Coming off their sixth career runner-up finish just a few days
ago in Bristol, Tenn., the team once again feels in control of their
racing destiny as this weekend’s racing action approaches.

“Going four rounds Sunday in Bristol spoke volumes about this team,”
said Russell. “This is a mostly new crew and our crew chief Wayne Dupuy
has only been with us for three races. To see all of them handle the
pressure of championship-level drag racing was awesome. It was a great
test for the entire Bilstein Engine Flush System crew and they handled
it like pros.

“I feel really confident coming into this race. The spirit and mood of
the team is sky-high and in my opinion that’s half the battle right
there. Atlanta Dragway was certainly good to Joe Amato over his career
(one win in six final-round appearances), it was almost very good to us
last year, and I won my first national event here in 1994 when I was
driving our family’s Top Alcohol Dragster, so I feel very good about
this weekend.”

Russell, a 33-year-old from Hockley, Texas, is currently seventh in the
POWERade championship points standings. He could advance as high as
fourth place this weekend. The second-year driver has two national event
wins in eight final-round appearances as a professional. He is the
reigning NHRA Rookie of the Year.

Qualifying highlights of the 22nd annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA
Southern Nationals will air from 9-11 p.m. (ET), Saturday, on ESPN2. The
elimination rounds will be broadcast in primetime from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
(ET), Sunday, on ESPN2, with a repeat showing from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30
a.m. (ET), Sunday, also on ESPN2.