One might say Alan Bradshaw’s first round victory at the NHRA Gateway Nationals in St. Louis, Mo., last Sunday was inspired.

Bradshaw was driving a tribute car to the late Darrell Russell, the popular Top Fuel driver who was killed at St. Louis’s Gateway International Raceway in a racing accident in 2004.

Adding to the motivation was the fact Bradshaw hadn’t won a round of competition since succeeding J.R. Todd as driver of Dexter Tuttle’s dragster at the start of the 2008 season.

 

One might say Alan Bradshaw’s first round victory at the NHRA Gateway Nationals in St. Louis, Mo., last Sunday was inspired.

Bradshaw was driving a tribute car to the late Darrell Russell, the popular Top Fuel driver who was killed at St. Louis’s Gateway International Raceway in a racing accident in 2004.

Adding to the motivation was the fact Bradshaw hadn’t won a round of competition since succeeding J.R. Todd as driver of Dexter Tuttle’s dragster at the start of the 2008 season.

Unfortunately, the one win-light is all Bradshaw earned during the weekend, as he smoked the tires in the second round opposite of Tony Schumacher.

"Obviously the high of winning that first round and then the disappointment of not fulfilling what I envisioned this weekend made it pretty emotional for me," Bradshaw said.

"I wanted nothing more than to hand the Russell family the Top Fuel Wally at the end of the race.  It just wasn't meant to be I guess."

Bradshaw did get the opportunity to dedicate a trophy to the Russell family over the course of the weekend. The Vis Viva-sponsored team was awarded the “Best Appearing Crew” accolades.

The greatest tribute, according the Russell family, was the fact Darrell was honored in such a high-profile manner.

"What a tremendous event," Darrell's brother Chris Russell said. "First and foremost I have to thank Tuttle Motorsports and their sponsor Vis Viva Living Force Energy for making this possible, and Dan Pikarsky and Mark Scheierman for putting it all together. It was a fitting tribute to Darrell and he would have been proud. 

"My family also wants to thank all the companies that helped make this tribute a reality.  Impact Safety for the firesuit and helmet, Vicci for the crew uniforms, Co-color for the handout cards, Wrap It Up for the car wrap, and Alan's friend Brandon Mendoza for the custom paint on Alan's helmet. 

"And thanks to the fans for their support of my family, we met so many great people this weekend and it really made it special for us. I appreciate everyone who bought a book or bid on eBay. We raised money for both DRAW and Racers for Christ this weekend and that was important, giving back to the people who helped us."

Bradshaw's helmet and firesuit from this weekend's race are currently up for auction on eBay. The award-winning crew uniforms will also be placed on eBay over the next several weeks.  All money raised on eBay will be donated to Racers for Christ in Darrell Russell's name.