ST. LOUIS—Prior to running this weekend’s O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals, Top Fuel driver Alan Bradshaw had not won a round of racing since driving for Bill Miller Engineering at the 2006 Schuck’s Auto Supply Nationals in Seattle, Wash. Bradshaw ended that drought however when he took a holeshot victory over J.R. Todd in Sunday’s opening round of eliminations.
With a special tribute to the late Darrell Russell on the side of the car, it was the perfect time for Bradshaw to get his first round win with his new team, owned by Dexter Tuttle. To do it on a holeshot made the victory even sweeter, as that was something Russell himself was often known to do.
“I’m glad we turned the win light on for the Russell family,” Bradshaw said. “It couldn’t have come at a better time.”
For the second round, Bradshaw faced off against reigning Top Fuel World Champion Tony Schumacher. Schumacher qualified no. 2 and defeated Morgan
Lucas in the first round.
Unfortunately Bradshaw’s day came to an end against Schumacher when Bradshaw’s car lost traction as soon as he hit the throttle.
“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 was able to dedicate the team’s “Best Appearing Crew” trophy to the Russells, which they had won earlier in the day. Overall it was a great
weekend for both Tuttle Motorsports and the Russells.
“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.
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