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NHRA: Darrell Russell to drive for Amato in 2001

12 January 2001

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

EXETER, Pa. -- Joe Amato, who retired last year as the most successful driver in National Hot Rod Association Top Fuel class history, today announced he has hired Federal-Mogul sportsman class star Darrell Russell to drive his dragster in the 24-event 50th anniversary NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

Russell, 32, of Hockley, Tex. (near Houston), is a four-time NHRA Division Four champion --1994, 1996, 1998, 1999 -- and has 20 divisional event wins. (Division Four is the NHRA's South-Central region, including Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Mexico.) He also has seven Federal-Mogul class national victories, including the 1997 U.S. Nationals.

Russell started in Super Comp dragster competition in 1988, then advanced to the Top Alcohol class in 1991. He was named Division Four Driver of the Year three times and was a six-time Federal-Mogul All-Star representative.

Amato, 56, continues as a team owner after achieving a Top Fuel record five championships and 52 victories. Amato said Valvoline, Keystone Automotive Operations and American Racing will return as his sponsors, but emphasized the search continues for a new primary sponsor.

"It's not easy for someone like me, who has been in the car for so long, to get out and let someone else sit in the seat," said Amato, whose retirement was prompted by two laser surgeries last summer to repair torn retinas and the risk of further eye damage. "It was a tough decision, but the right one, and then my focus had to be on finding the right driver. I feel I've found him in Darrell.

"Darrell has proven in sportsman racing that he has the talent to win and that convinced me he's ready to move up into the professional ranks. He's got a lot of youthful enthusiasm and that means a lot to the team during a long season. He's also got a nice personality and I think he'll be popular with the fans and be a good representative for Valvoline, Keystone, and the rest of our sponsors."

Russell said: "It's been my lifelong dream to race against the best in our sport. I've been able to accomplish a lot in an alcohol dragster, but the time is right to move up.

"Getting a chance to run in the NHRA Winston series is a thrill. Getting to drive for Joe Amato, a legend in our sport, is unbelievable. I plan on being a good listener because there is so much I can learn from Joe."

Amato also announced Jimmy Walsh has been promoted to crew chief for Russell's car. Walsh has been an Amato crew member for more than 15 years, including all five of his Top Fuel titles.

Russell will drive the Amato dragster for the first time in this weekend's (Jan. 12-14) NHRA pre-season tests at Firebird Raceway, in Chandler, Ariz. He will make his official competition debut Feb. 1-4 in the AutoZone Winternationals at California's Pomona Raceway.

Text Provided By Michael Knight

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