Drag Illustrated Issue 150, November 2019 | Page 15

NITRO X2 Yes, that’s a two-seater Top Fuel dragster, but what makes this image unique is the passenger in the back seat. Riding behind three-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion Larry Dixon is Burnell Russell, the father of late Top Fuel driver Darrell Russell. The experience - valued at around $10,000 - was a surprise gift for Russell from his son, Chris. Dixon took the 79-year-old for a eighth-mile ride during the 15th annual Funny Car Nationals, stopping the clocks in 3.34 seconds at 259 mph. Photograph by Chris Graves U.S. 131 Motorsports Park | Martin, Michigan | Saturday, September 7, 2019 November 2019 DragIllustrated.com | D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d | 15