The details of the Julie Russell lawsuit versus the NHRA and Goodyear was settled last week, but details of the settlement will likely never be known outside of the litigation circle.

Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com confirmed with a member of the NHRA’s management team that the case had been settled before the court case was scheduled to begin on Monday.

 

We spoke with Julie Russell’s trial attorney, Judd Waltman, who spoke to us on her behalf. He confirmed a settlement was reached, but declined to discuss the details.

 

“We were supposed to go to trial on Monday and didn’t go,” Waltman said. “The case was resolved.”

 

Waltman said he could speak in a limited manner on the NHRA’s side but was unable to comment at all on the Goodyear portion of the suit.

 

Was there a financial settlement from the NHRA?

 

“The case was settled but the terms are confidential,” Waltman said.

 

Was there any kind of an information settlement? Ms. Russell had stated that she wanted answers as to the cause of her husband’s death.

 

“I think she – and none of this is intended to be a comment on a settlement term with the hot rod association – and I am making no comment whatsoever on Goodyear – within the context of what went on in the suit I think she was able to satisfy herself with what went on and why -- through the efforts of – you know – what happened (during) discovery and what happened in the lawsuit.”

 

Was any new information provided that answered her questions?

 

“Nothing that I can disclose to you because that’s separate from the settlement agreement – a lot of the stuff that would exchange between Goodyear and us and NHRA was subject to trade secrets, (and) the judge refused to allow disclosure (of those) and the ones he did allow disclosure of is subject only to the parties involved in the lawsuit,” Waltman said.

 

Was the settlement of this case in effect, an admission of guilt by the NHRA and Goodyear?

 

“I can’t answer that question because it goes to the terms of settlement of the agreement with the NHRA and I can’t comment on Goodyear,” Waltman said.

 

Waltman added, “I am not trying to be difficult with the media. We over here, when it is appropriate, will discuss certain things either by agreement or judges order – all the stuff I’ve left unsaid I’ve left (unsaid) because I’ve either agreed to leave it unsaid or the judge has ordered me to leave it unsaid.”

 

In all likelihood, this is how this lawsuit will go down in history – silent and alongside the Pro Stock Truck lawsuit – also under a non-disclosure order.