I read somewhere that phillips car was an ancient cup car that had been rebuilt w/slight cage replacement...sportsman series was an awful idea....rip russell,david gaines,&batson.
Racecarwrecks has a point. As an American, they should have tested the rollcage for a sustained heavy impact from the top an corners. Hindsight is 20/20...
Classic USA. Never learn until a death. It's obvious a fence can destroy a car. RIP Russell, another death that was beause of ignorance from officials. Massive sympathy, especailly since over the wrong side of Atlantic you need someone with pedigree to die before anything actually happens.
Everyone keeps saying that his helmet is rolling down to pit road but I don't see it. I do know what happened but maybe my eyesight is failing me because I cannot see it... RIP Russell Phillips
i was at the track wen the crash happend and if u dont know what happend to him u dont wanna know i have some photos from a photographer from the charlotte observer and they are very graphic pics the only thing ill say is i have a close up pic of his bloody helmet laying on pit road
@xXxmtdoomxXx yes that is russell phillip's helmet... i'd rather not discuss his injuries here but if you go to the Russell Phillips wikipedia page they discuss it in detail
The track was littered with car debris, blood, and numerous pieces of Phillips' body, necessitating a complete and lengthy race stoppage (red flag) while track officials wearing surgical gloves placed white sheets over various body parts in the vicinity of the crash. The driver's head (still wearing his helmet) was found at the entrance of the pit road, and one of his hands was found suspended in the retaining fence.
I remember reading about this accident. Russell was a nice, clean cut man who was active in his church. Many people loved him. A shame his life was cut short.
As for the series, I liked that series a lot. Perhaps with todays cars the series could be started up again. Since Earnhard's death, both the tracks as well as the cars have come a long way toward safety.
Did the authorities do anything to improve safety directly after this appaling incident? I've heard about the 'Earnhardt Bar' but that didn't happen for a while afterwards.
I have to say I'm not an expert on this sport, just wondering if the reaction was similar to Formula 1 after Ratzenberger's death at Imola - there didn't seem to be talk of improving safety there until 'racing royalty' like Senna died at the same corner around 48 hours later.
nothing was done directly after. it wasn't until dale earnhardt's wreck at talladega that same year (which can be seen here on youtube) were there talks about installing the earnhardt bar (hence the name earnhardt bar). it's a real shame too, because this was a horrific crash, and nascar should have acted the moment after this happened.
@Noonelikesvanilla 24 hours later. Was the next day and they started improving because there died 2 drivers and Senna was pushing hard on safety regulations.
When I look at this crash and then I look at crashes now-a-days, it's amazing how much safer the cars have become. The new cars keep the drivers cabin safe and have many crumple zones.
It's too bad we had to lose a great racer, but he ended up saving many through increasing safety in cars to prevent this from happening again.
The NASCAR Sportsman Division was a good idea, but the series should've been run at a track like Hickory or Bowman Gray. Charlotte is simply too fast for inexperienced drivers.
@racingwidow57 This video made me sick to my stomach, and when I read your posts it brought tears to my eyes. The fact that some people are making jokes out of this tragic accident disgusts me. Russell may have met a tragic, untimely end, but at least he died doing what he loved. I will never view this video again, once is enough. Take care of yourself and don't let the words of a few mean spirited people upset you, because good hearted people outnumber them 10 to 1.
@HarlequinBuckeye Thank you so much for your compassion and understanding. It is gutwrenching to read some of these nasty comments.....to be honest I wish that all videos of this accident would be deleted from here. What is general fodder for some, is very personal and painful to others. Those that want to discuss and make jokes about Russell's injuries and death, have no idea what walking thru this hell felt like. Very thankful for good hearted people like you!! Bless you today and always!
@bigt1nyhatch it's the white round thing in the middle of the debris you can't miss it in 0:09 it's in the center of the screen and it rolls to the right hand side of the screen and 0:17 it's in the right hand side of the screen
To me Russel's, Gordon Smiley's at Indy, Greg Moore's at AutoClub and Don MacTavish's at Daytona are by far the most horrible wrecks in motorsports history. Wrecks that leave you thinking he just had no chance. This is why Earnest Hemingway's famous quote rings so true, lives are at stake. RIP to all that have made auto racing what it is.
It's a sad tragedy any time a driver dies, I'm grateful for the posting of the videos though, to put in perspective of how it could happen when you're not there. Sobers you up on how thin a line it is be between life and death in this lifestyle.
Russell was one of my best friends and a fellow firefighter. His death was a tragic loss to all who were lucky enough to have him in our lives. Rest in Peace. Russell we still are reminded of you each time we go to the fire station or at the speedway.
He died instantly because his torso was shredded away by fence and his helmet, head still inside (you can see this in video if you know where to look) , did roll down of the track and came stop under other car near the entry of pit lane.
And i'm not a troll but i do refuse put my head under sand - this what it told is harsh reality. History is sometimes shocking but face it - it is history, it did happened way more than decade ago!
@aure232 None of us are puttin our heads in the sand....those of us that lived this hell firsthand, don't need to be reminded of this "harsh reality"....easy for you sit there and give such graphic commentary when it wasn't someone that you loved and cared about.....i wonder if you be so quick to make such comments if the shoe was on the other foot and it was your loved one that been killed. I'm thinking probably not, you'd be upset and ticked off to say the least!
@racingwidow57 What a weird and sick curiosity would draw one racing widow on thread and vid like this one? It does put your credibility uder serious suspicion.
"easy for you sit there and give such graphic commentary when it wasn't someone that you loved and cared about."
Ideed, if it were my dear one i would not be here in this thread. By no means.
@aure232 You certainly don't read between the lines do you? I found all this ugliness by accident and wish I hadn't! Do me a favor, don't say what you would do in a situation such as this because I will guarantee you that you can't possibly know what you would or would not do.......Prayers for you that you will never have to endure such tragedy. I don't want a confrontation, just let it rest please.
@aure232 I do have to agree with you in a way. Though I understand that he was an amazing person and his death meant something. Talking about how someone died is a harsh reality that helps teach others about things they might want to do. If no one knew how race car crashes happen, so many kids would go into it unaware and uneducated. To study every outcome of a crash helps make the sport safer for the next man. So no more lives have to be lost. Even though some were since this day.
This was a very tragic death, mainly because he was young, active in his church, and had a young wife. I am going to be respectful of the family by not saying anything about his injuries. God bless you Russell and rest in peace.
Just FYI...His car was a Monte Carlo and it was orginally an Alan Kulwicki car. A Earnhardt bar or any additional safety measure wouldn't have saved him....this was a freak accident and no one is to blame. The rollcage was completely safe and was thoroughly inspected and met all of NASCAR safety requirements! Russell was in fact a fabricator and wouldn't have gotten into a car that wasn't safe. Any car/driver in the same accident would have the same results. This info is fact not speculation
It is amazing to me that so many folks want to discuss Russell's injuries....what is the point as it doesn't change the fact that he died a very tragic and untimely death! Do any of you that have discribed his injuries understand how heartwrenching it is for his family and friends to read such things! He left behind a 25 yr old wife, family and friends that love and miss him terribly. Those of you who are sincerely sorry about his death, please know that your kind words are appreciated!
@racingwidow57 I try to keep an eye on the comments for this video. You would be surprised how many posts I have deleted because of peoples unbelievable comments. Im sure it still hurts from losing a loved one. RIP Mr Phillips.
@cotadog Thank you so much for being so diligent about these comments!! I'm still very bothered by some of these people who treat this as just another "thing" to talk about.....this was a man very loved and very missed! Not just a piece of meat to be talked about with such disrespect! Thanks again for keepin an eye out on this!
@greeniem Do ya think I of all people don't know that but does that make it ok for all these folks to talk about the gore and nastiness of his accident? Would you like someone to talk about your loved one in those terms, I think not! It's so easy to say such things when it doesn't involve you....I don't want a fight or confrontation but am so over all these horrible comments! We always wanted him to be remembered but not in these terms!
@racingwidow57 First let me say im sorry for ur loss, PPl are curious animals especially when its about the cause of death and the injurys sustained, they arnt sick or cold hearted, its not wrong to post Videos like these bc they are a strong reminiders of how amazing this gift that god ggave us is and how quick it can be taken away, 1 sec ur driving a racecar the next ur dead. this clip dosnt show the end of a life, it shows the beggining of a new life, a better life, never forget that
well put neil, i never had the priveledge of meeting this man but i have since been acquaintanced with some who have. it is a horrible thing to lose a friend, a son, a man of great talent. he will be remembered
just saying not being insensitive but at 0:11 you can see the helment too i think you can spot the round white thing rolling down the track
but yeah this is sad but there is NO safty device ever invented to prevend something like this the roll cage is nice but it prevents roof cave ins not roof tear offs
@EMPSBladeKnight60 It's true. I saw this crash on TV when it happened. I happened to be recording it at the time. And in slow-motion, it's clear the driver was beheaded. The live broadcast showed a different angle that showed quite clearly the driver's head was ripped off. After the crash, the worker with the fire extinguisher runs up to the car, extinguishes the fire, looks into the car, and looks away in distress. It was a gruesome sight. Still bothers me to this day, 15 years after
The track was littered with car debris, blood, and numerous pieces of Phillips' body, necessitating a complete and lengthy race stoppage (red flag) while track officials wearing surgical gloves placed white sheets over various body parts in the vicinity of the crash. The driver's head (still wearing his helmet) was found at the entrance of the pit road, and one of his hands was found suspended in the retaining fence. (End)
Phillips, whose upper body was ground against the track's steel catch fence and a caution light fixture at high speed, was both partially dismembered and decapitated, in what a photographer on-scene described as "as gruesome a wreck as I can ever recall".[2] In video of the accident, the first rescuer on scene could be seen running to the car, then immediately turning away from the wreck after seeing Phillips' body and realizing the hopelessness of any attempt at resuscitation. (continued)
I got this from the wilkepida; Not posting it out of disrepect but just to give people idea of how horrible it was. After this accident particular, NASCAR passed the rule that the roof has to be enforced with a roof bar prevent it from caving it in such as this case.
The driver of the car that swerved was trying to avoid the cars spinning out at the bottom of the track. now either the driver was inexperienced or his car got loose when he swerved driving Russell Phillips into the wall and crushing the roof of his car. This crash and Earnhardt's crash that same year at Talladega led Nascar to develop the Earnhardt Bar, A bar that is placed in the middle of the roof to prevent collapses. This crash also ended this particular racing series.
@xrocknroll24x Yep... this crash is so horrible... his body was smashed against the fence and the wall... he never had a chance to survive... RIP, you brave racer!
I remember going to Lowe's for bandolero races. Beautiful track and excitement. Hope he felt that the day was beautiful too, and that he died instantly without having to feel that pain. May he rest forever in peace, still racing.
i was at the race with my dad who was helping another driver, when his car came to rest it was very obvious what had happened. i had night mares about looking in the seat of the car and seeing what i saw. worse part is that the officials put a sheat over the can, washed the blood off the pit lane and finished the race
"The driver's head (still wearing his helmet) was found at the entrance of the pit road, and one of his hands was found suspended in the retaining fence." ... I think I don't have to say anything more... RIP Russell <3
If he was a dedicated Christian then no big deal right? He is in heaven... With that said, where is the roll cage? Terrible accident either way, RIP man.
@kidballistic Regardless of HIS religious beliefs, think about the people he left behind who saw him lose his life that way. That's a big deal, a VERY BIG DEAL. Trust me, you never want your loved ones to be hurt or to suffer. Not ever - regardless of their religious beliefs.
Actually at 0:09 you see the helmet/head in the air toward pit road. It's auto racing...that's the chance you take. Thank God there have been major improvements.
I've seen on a couple of websites that his roll cage didn't have an Earnhardt bar, which is a bar that runs front to back, providing longitudinal support to the cage. They became mandatory the next year. Without the Earnhardt bar, the roll bars had nothing to support them from being sheared off like they were in Phillips' crash.
Phillips had bought the car from Cale Yarborough, I believe. The top had been heavily damaged in a wreck and the roll cage was rebuilt. The rumor was that the roll cage totally failed and was pretty much useless.
@whiteboy1815 I had always heard that these cars had been sold and re-sold, built and rebuilt so many times that they were terribly unsafe. The drivers in the series had very little experience on superspeedways and the cars were all used. Not really the best of ideas if you think about it.
we had to watch this clip in our chassis and roll bar class at school to show the importance of building a roll cage now and why they are the way they are now. no one thought it was as bad as it actually was until we were told how bad.
I hate to see this happening but at least he died doing what he loved doing. RIP Russell
@wildbloodydragon there was a roll cage but not the one that is in the middle where the rear view mirrors are on regular cars.. because of this accident, all Arca and nascar cars now have one..
pause the video at 0:32, look to the right of the red car on the top of the screen, look at the dark concrete area, and you can see a dot on a mass. That is his head, and the dot was light shining off of the helmet. R.I.P. Russell Phillips
I think this is definitely the worst/ most gruesome crash ever. Sure, geoff bodine's crash at daytona was bad, and many other crashes in racing, but the way Russell went is the worst. Thank god they trashed this series soon after the crash. It was a bad idea from the beginning. I mean those are just horribly built cars.
well i admit tom's crash was gruesome for him and the fire marshall. the marshall got dismembered, almost obliterated, with all due respect. but Russell's body was "cheese-grated" against the fence and then he hit the caution light. With Russell, there weren't chunks, there were pieces. I know that's really graphic, but it's the only way I can describe my opinion. I would probably put Tom's crash right behind Russell's though, with all due respect to both drivers.
Damn. That is worse. I'm glad you can't see that on video. Unlike the Pryce accident. I watched an unsensored version of the Pryce accident not knowing what it was about. It was shocking.
i'm ashamed to even live in the same county as you sales guy. the man is dead for crying out loud, have respect for the man and his family. fuckin ass wipe
It's a good thing that there isn't better camera footage of the wreck . Imagine the gruesome horror show there would have had if there had been inside the car cameras .
It's nothing to joke about "SaleGuy" . Russell Phillips died in one of the most horrible ways possible . I can't understand why anyone would find anything funny in such a horrible death .
He was absolutely torn to bits.There was nothing left waist up.They covered the car in a tarp and put it in a closed garage,the marshals were picking up body parts from the track's surface for an hour,and after they cleared out the spectators the fire department came and hosed off the grandstands where the wreck happened.
This wreck was before the inception of the "Earnhardt Bar," which runs down the center of the windshield and supports/braces the roof of the roll cage. Refered to as the "Earnhardt Bar" because his near fatal wreck at Talladega in 1996 brought its inception.
they had minimal roll cages..and because of that accident, a middle tube in the middle of the roll cage was added..i think the size of the tubes got bigger too
i think he died when not only the roof collapsing, but getting slapped by the other car, but possibly his head hitting and maybe scraping the fence or wall! i do not like hearing people talking shit on a video where someone dies! there are people that don't take kindly to that kind of talk!
@jusaLOSER the roll cage failed, if i remember correctly. and when he hit the fence, it was just like a cheese grater. the poor thing was just shredded all over the track.
@jusaLOSER It's even worse. I saw today two people put up videos of the 9/11 attack while putting the Guile Theme from the Street Fighter game series, saying it goes with it, treating the entire thing like it's some joke! And I found horrible,horrible comments on them! Some people out there are just sick assholes!
I am DISGUSTED by both the inhumanity and childish attempts at black humor by some people on this board. There is REAL FAMILY MEMBERS of Russell that read this guys...picture it being YOUR son, YOUR brother, YOUR friend...not so funny then is it?
We're talking about a man who's only recognizable body pieces after the accident were his right eyeball found in the helmet and his mangled scrotum found in the catchfence as the rest of him was cheese-grated to meatsauce by the fence. Shame on u.
So sad. This poor man. A dedicated Christian and absolutely wonderful person who helped a lot of troubled youths become better people, and who had a smile wider than sunshine and who was so excited just to be in this race on this day. You people who put horrible posts on here should be ashamed.
@neilprtr and @cotadog You will find that such comments are not from motorsport fans. The anonymity allowed by YouTube means that it is almost certain that such comments are from school boys between 8 and 14 years old. I would refer you to the DunningKruger effect. Look it up on wiki. It describes why people talk so confidently about things they know nothing about.
u can look at this and tell it did horrible damage to his body
t8035 2 days ago
I read somewhere that phillips car was an ancient cup car that had been rebuilt w/slight cage replacement...sportsman series was an awful idea....rip russell,david gaines,&batson.
Shanco4688 3 weeks ago
Racecarwrecks has a point. As an American, they should have tested the rollcage for a sustained heavy impact from the top an corners. Hindsight is 20/20...
KeselowskiTheMan 1 month ago
Classic USA. Never learn until a death. It's obvious a fence can destroy a car. RIP Russell, another death that was beause of ignorance from officials. Massive sympathy, especailly since over the wrong side of Atlantic you need someone with pedigree to die before anything actually happens.
Racecarwrecks 1 month ago
Everyone keeps saying that his helmet is rolling down to pit road but I don't see it. I do know what happened but maybe my eyesight is failing me because I cannot see it... RIP Russell Phillips
Navohk 1 month ago
i was at the track wen the crash happend and if u dont know what happend to him u dont wanna know i have some photos from a photographer from the charlotte observer and they are very graphic pics the only thing ill say is i have a close up pic of his bloody helmet laying on pit road
bigboy14100 3 months ago
@bigboy14100 Can you send me these pics ?
pe6obutilkata 2 weeks ago
@13555pen89ce9
is that a helmet? there is definitely an object rolling towards the pits that resembles a helmet. i guess that very well could be.
xXxmtdoomxXx 3 months ago
@xXxmtdoomxXx yes that is russell phillip's helmet... i'd rather not discuss his injuries here but if you go to the Russell Phillips wikipedia page they discuss it in detail
madclaw2413 3 months ago
yeah this is the most violent crash in nascar history, probably even worse than the don mctavish tragedy of 1969.
xXxmtdoomxXx 3 months ago
Comment removed
xXxmtdoomxXx 3 months ago
WRAL ftw
TheInvshika 3 months ago
@13555pen89ce9 - reports said his head was in it still. damn that's a hell of a way to go.
MrPittsburghJ 3 months ago
@MrPittsburghJ
from wikipedia
The track was littered with car debris, blood, and numerous pieces of Phillips' body, necessitating a complete and lengthy race stoppage (red flag) while track officials wearing surgical gloves placed white sheets over various body parts in the vicinity of the crash. The driver's head (still wearing his helmet) was found at the entrance of the pit road, and one of his hands was found suspended in the retaining fence.
E39shadowline530d 3 months ago
I remember reading about this accident. Russell was a nice, clean cut man who was active in his church. Many people loved him. A shame his life was cut short.
As for the series, I liked that series a lot. Perhaps with todays cars the series could be started up again. Since Earnhard's death, both the tracks as well as the cars have come a long way toward safety.
the4xchamp 5 months ago
My god, the poor man never stood a chance......
RIP
hoosierredneck1 5 months ago
Did the authorities do anything to improve safety directly after this appaling incident? I've heard about the 'Earnhardt Bar' but that didn't happen for a while afterwards.
I have to say I'm not an expert on this sport, just wondering if the reaction was similar to Formula 1 after Ratzenberger's death at Imola - there didn't seem to be talk of improving safety there until 'racing royalty' like Senna died at the same corner around 48 hours later.
Noonelikesvanilla 6 months ago
@Noonelikesvanilla
nothing was done directly after. it wasn't until dale earnhardt's wreck at talladega that same year (which can be seen here on youtube) were there talks about installing the earnhardt bar (hence the name earnhardt bar). it's a real shame too, because this was a horrific crash, and nascar should have acted the moment after this happened.
xXxmtdoomxXx 3 months ago
@Noonelikesvanilla 24 hours later. Was the next day and they started improving because there died 2 drivers and Senna was pushing hard on safety regulations.
silverblackss 2 months ago
damn i wanted to know what happened. cut it off at the end
USAF2409 6 months ago in playlist vol 3 rc crashes
When I look at this crash and then I look at crashes now-a-days, it's amazing how much safer the cars have become. The new cars keep the drivers cabin safe and have many crumple zones.
It's too bad we had to lose a great racer, but he ended up saving many through increasing safety in cars to prevent this from happening again.
bphockey23 6 months ago
The NASCAR Sportsman Division was a good idea, but the series should've been run at a track like Hickory or Bowman Gray. Charlotte is simply too fast for inexperienced drivers.
continentalrcinglg 7 months ago
freak accident. the poor guy didn't stand a chance!
055697 8 months ago 2
"the drivers head was found at the entrance of pit road, and one of his hands was found suspended in the retaining fence" damn thats so gnarly.
showstopper9ren 8 months ago
@racingwidow57 This video made me sick to my stomach, and when I read your posts it brought tears to my eyes. The fact that some people are making jokes out of this tragic accident disgusts me. Russell may have met a tragic, untimely end, but at least he died doing what he loved. I will never view this video again, once is enough. Take care of yourself and don't let the words of a few mean spirited people upset you, because good hearted people outnumber them 10 to 1.
HarlequinBuckeye 8 months ago
@HarlequinBuckeye Thank you so much for your compassion and understanding. It is gutwrenching to read some of these nasty comments.....to be honest I wish that all videos of this accident would be deleted from here. What is general fodder for some, is very personal and painful to others. Those that want to discuss and make jokes about Russell's injuries and death, have no idea what walking thru this hell felt like. Very thankful for good hearted people like you!! Bless you today and always!
racingwidow57 8 months ago
0:09 and 0:17 if you look carefully you can see his head (still in his helmet) rolling down the track
Trevizdabomb 9 months ago
@Trevizdabomb no you can't. Where?
bigt1nyhatch 9 months ago
@bigt1nyhatch it's the white round thing in the middle of the debris you can't miss it in 0:09 it's in the center of the screen and it rolls to the right hand side of the screen and 0:17 it's in the right hand side of the screen
Trevizdabomb 9 months ago
@Trevizdabomb I noticed that too.
international153 6 months ago
If you look closely at 0:09 you can see his helmet (head still in it by eyewitness reports) flying to pit lane. Jesus Christ may he R.I.P
Hockeyification 9 months ago
omg i read the description of his death on wikipedia...holy shit. unimaginable
msullivan85 10 months ago
Two more comments blocked/removed. Sorry I missed them the past couple days.
cotadog 10 months ago
@cotadog Thanks a bunch, it means alot that you are care!
racingwidow57 9 months ago
@greeniem You're all class buddy,,,A real "Shit for Brains" if there ever was one...
wrxmike123 10 months ago
To me Russel's, Gordon Smiley's at Indy, Greg Moore's at AutoClub and Don MacTavish's at Daytona are by far the most horrible wrecks in motorsports history. Wrecks that leave you thinking he just had no chance. This is why Earnest Hemingway's famous quote rings so true, lives are at stake. RIP to all that have made auto racing what it is.
msullivan85 10 months ago
i bet that first track official that went up to the car didn't sleep at all that nigh...
caseyreavis 10 months ago
It's a sad tragedy any time a driver dies, I'm grateful for the posting of the videos though, to put in perspective of how it could happen when you're not there. Sobers you up on how thin a line it is be between life and death in this lifestyle.
DizzyDizzyRabbit 11 months ago
Russell was one of my best friends and a fellow firefighter. His death was a tragic loss to all who were lucky enough to have him in our lives. Rest in Peace. Russell we still are reminded of you each time we go to the fire station or at the speedway.
b31bill 11 months ago
He died instantly because his torso was shredded away by fence and his helmet, head still inside (you can see this in video if you know where to look) , did roll down of the track and came stop under other car near the entry of pit lane.
And i'm not a troll but i do refuse put my head under sand - this what it told is harsh reality. History is sometimes shocking but face it - it is history, it did happened way more than decade ago!
aure232 11 months ago
Comment removed
racingwidow57 11 months ago
@aure232 None of us are puttin our heads in the sand....those of us that lived this hell firsthand, don't need to be reminded of this "harsh reality"....easy for you sit there and give such graphic commentary when it wasn't someone that you loved and cared about.....i wonder if you be so quick to make such comments if the shoe was on the other foot and it was your loved one that been killed. I'm thinking probably not, you'd be upset and ticked off to say the least!
racingwidow57 11 months ago
@racingwidow57 What a weird and sick curiosity would draw one racing widow on thread and vid like this one? It does put your credibility uder serious suspicion.
"easy for you sit there and give such graphic commentary when it wasn't someone that you loved and cared about."
Ideed, if it were my dear one i would not be here in this thread. By no means.
Why are you here by the way??!!! Heavens....
aure232 11 months ago
@aure232 You certainly don't read between the lines do you? I found all this ugliness by accident and wish I hadn't! Do me a favor, don't say what you would do in a situation such as this because I will guarantee you that you can't possibly know what you would or would not do.......Prayers for you that you will never have to endure such tragedy. I don't want a confrontation, just let it rest please.
racingwidow57 11 months ago
@aure232 this is probably the most grusome crash in nascar history...
caseyreavis 10 months ago
@aure232 I do have to agree with you in a way. Though I understand that he was an amazing person and his death meant something. Talking about how someone died is a harsh reality that helps teach others about things they might want to do. If no one knew how race car crashes happen, so many kids would go into it unaware and uneducated. To study every outcome of a crash helps make the sport safer for the next man. So no more lives have to be lost. Even though some were since this day.
Kayiko 9 months ago
This was a very tragic death, mainly because he was young, active in his church, and had a young wife. I am going to be respectful of the family by not saying anything about his injuries. God bless you Russell and rest in peace.
ashvegas1018 1 year ago
Just FYI...His car was a Monte Carlo and it was orginally an Alan Kulwicki car. A Earnhardt bar or any additional safety measure wouldn't have saved him....this was a freak accident and no one is to blame. The rollcage was completely safe and was thoroughly inspected and met all of NASCAR safety requirements! Russell was in fact a fabricator and wouldn't have gotten into a car that wasn't safe. Any car/driver in the same accident would have the same results. This info is fact not speculation
racingwidow57 1 year ago
It is amazing to me that so many folks want to discuss Russell's injuries....what is the point as it doesn't change the fact that he died a very tragic and untimely death! Do any of you that have discribed his injuries understand how heartwrenching it is for his family and friends to read such things! He left behind a 25 yr old wife, family and friends that love and miss him terribly. Those of you who are sincerely sorry about his death, please know that your kind words are appreciated!
racingwidow57 1 year ago 8
@racingwidow57 I try to keep an eye on the comments for this video. You would be surprised how many posts I have deleted because of peoples unbelievable comments. Im sure it still hurts from losing a loved one. RIP Mr Phillips.
cotadog 1 year ago 5
@cotadog Thank you so much for being so diligent about these comments!! I'm still very bothered by some of these people who treat this as just another "thing" to talk about.....this was a man very loved and very missed! Not just a piece of meat to be talked about with such disrespect! Thanks again for keepin an eye out on this!
racingwidow57 11 months ago
@racingwidow57 nobody forced him into that car. He did it himself, knowing the risks involved.
greeniem 10 months ago
@greeniem Do ya think I of all people don't know that but does that make it ok for all these folks to talk about the gore and nastiness of his accident? Would you like someone to talk about your loved one in those terms, I think not! It's so easy to say such things when it doesn't involve you....I don't want a fight or confrontation but am so over all these horrible comments! We always wanted him to be remembered but not in these terms!
racingwidow57 9 months ago
@racingwidow57 First let me say im sorry for ur loss, PPl are curious animals especially when its about the cause of death and the injurys sustained, they arnt sick or cold hearted, its not wrong to post Videos like these bc they are a strong reminiders of how amazing this gift that god ggave us is and how quick it can be taken away, 1 sec ur driving a racecar the next ur dead. this clip dosnt show the end of a life, it shows the beggining of a new life, a better life, never forget that
tsharpmac420 7 months ago
@racingwidow57 I'm sorry for your loss.
MrHaircut1 2 months ago
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pe6obutilkata 1 year ago
@pe6obutilkata you're a sick son of a bitch, you know that?
caseyreavis 1 year ago
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@caseyreavis Telling the truth does not make one sick.
aure232 11 months ago
@caseyreavis shut up motherfucker
pe6obutilkata 8 months ago
@pe6obutilkata how bout NO motherfucker...
caseyreavis 8 months ago
@pe6obutilkata yup, that what it is
aure232 11 months ago
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pe6obutilkata 1 year ago
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pe6obutilkata 1 year ago
well put neil, i never had the priveledge of meeting this man but i have since been acquaintanced with some who have. it is a horrible thing to lose a friend, a son, a man of great talent. he will be remembered
bakerman14j 1 year ago
Charlotte has claimed many lives over the years. Including some fans.
cheese2507 1 year ago
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BLA BLA BLA .IF YOUR GONNA PLAY BE READY TO PAY.
toopair2 1 year ago
just saying not being insensitive but at 0:11 you can see the helment too i think you can spot the round white thing rolling down the track
but yeah this is sad but there is NO safty device ever invented to prevend something like this the roll cage is nice but it prevents roof cave ins not roof tear offs
EMPSBladeKnight60 1 year ago
@EMPSBladeKnight60 It's true. I saw this crash on TV when it happened. I happened to be recording it at the time. And in slow-motion, it's clear the driver was beheaded. The live broadcast showed a different angle that showed quite clearly the driver's head was ripped off. After the crash, the worker with the fire extinguisher runs up to the car, extinguishes the fire, looks into the car, and looks away in distress. It was a gruesome sight. Still bothers me to this day, 15 years after
addvali 1 year ago
@EMPSBladeKnight60 WTF are you talking about try the earnhart bar?
tip145 1 year ago
The track was littered with car debris, blood, and numerous pieces of Phillips' body, necessitating a complete and lengthy race stoppage (red flag) while track officials wearing surgical gloves placed white sheets over various body parts in the vicinity of the crash. The driver's head (still wearing his helmet) was found at the entrance of the pit road, and one of his hands was found suspended in the retaining fence. (End)
Rogentx 1 year ago
Phillips, whose upper body was ground against the track's steel catch fence and a caution light fixture at high speed, was both partially dismembered and decapitated, in what a photographer on-scene described as "as gruesome a wreck as I can ever recall".[2] In video of the accident, the first rescuer on scene could be seen running to the car, then immediately turning away from the wreck after seeing Phillips' body and realizing the hopelessness of any attempt at resuscitation. (continued)
Rogentx 1 year ago
I got this from the wilkepida; Not posting it out of disrepect but just to give people idea of how horrible it was. After this accident particular, NASCAR passed the rule that the roof has to be enforced with a roof bar prevent it from caving it in such as this case.
Rogentx 1 year ago
why did that car swerve in front of him?
bowarrful 1 year ago
@bowarrful he tried to avoid the wreck in front of him
nymetsrule86 1 year ago
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xXxmtdoomxXx 3 months ago
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xXxmtdoomxXx 3 months ago
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xXxmtdoomxXx 3 months ago
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xXxmtdoomxXx 3 months ago
@bowarrful
The driver of the car that swerved was trying to avoid the cars spinning out at the bottom of the track. now either the driver was inexperienced or his car got loose when he swerved driving Russell Phillips into the wall and crushing the roof of his car. This crash and Earnhardt's crash that same year at Talladega led Nascar to develop the Earnhardt Bar, A bar that is placed in the middle of the roof to prevent collapses. This crash also ended this particular racing series.
xXxmtdoomxXx 3 months ago
the other guy just ran away afterwards :(
Screwhospitals 1 year ago
i grew up in concord and went to the speedway many times, never new this happened though
weedsthecure420 1 year ago
HOLY SHIT!!!!! and i always thought the man was inspiration to many people wich he was in alot of ways
halo368 1 year ago
@xrocknroll24x Yep... this crash is so horrible... his body was smashed against the fence and the wall... he never had a chance to survive... RIP, you brave racer!
FreeRonnieRadke 1 year ago
Look when the 2nd news broadcast starts when it says "Ssull Phillips, the camera bounces up and you see a big white dot.
I think THAT might be the helmet, because the white dot you can see through the whole part of that video is TOO small to be a helmet.
pwnzor3000 1 year ago
I remember going to Lowe's for bandolero races. Beautiful track and excitement. Hope he felt that the day was beautiful too, and that he died instantly without having to feel that pain. May he rest forever in peace, still racing.
ShadowKillah08 1 year ago
i was at the race with my dad who was helping another driver, when his car came to rest it was very obvious what had happened. i had night mares about looking in the seat of the car and seeing what i saw. worse part is that the officials put a sheat over the can, washed the blood off the pit lane and finished the race
brysonsdad31828 1 year ago
at 0:09 you can hear groaning in the background
TaylorTots616 1 year ago
He died doing what he loved, who can ask for more?
RIP
Racingnut24 1 year ago
this video gives me the worst chills..
the last moments of his life, plese be, before he was dismembered..
R.I.P russel phillips
gtaivstudios 1 year ago
"The driver's head (still wearing his helmet) was found at the entrance of the pit road, and one of his hands was found suspended in the retaining fence." ... I think I don't have to say anything more... RIP Russell <3
FreeRonnieRadke 1 year ago
@FreeRonnieRadke Did he survive?
AceNinja2112 1 year ago
@AceNinja2112 No... his head was found at the pit entrance... wearing the helmet. :(
FreeRonnieRadke 1 year ago
@FreeRonnieRadke Yikes! That's usually fatal.
AceNinja2112 1 year ago
@AceNinja2112 Yep... must be horrible to be a marshal who arrives at a wreck with a headless driver who's body is totally smashed... =/
FreeRonnieRadke 1 year ago
If he was a dedicated Christian then no big deal right? He is in heaven... With that said, where is the roll cage? Terrible accident either way, RIP man.
kidballistic 1 year ago
@kidballistic Regardless of HIS religious beliefs, think about the people he left behind who saw him lose his life that way. That's a big deal, a VERY BIG DEAL. Trust me, you never want your loved ones to be hurt or to suffer. Not ever - regardless of their religious beliefs.
sosome57 1 year ago
so brutal..RIP
juhdiakathat 1 year ago
Is this selection in evolution?
3tangle3 1 year ago
Never has carrying 35 pounds been so easy.
mujinnokoya 1 year ago
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interloper79 1 year ago
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@interloper79 ass hole, thats all i am sayin about this fag
mikeman882921 1 year ago
is nascar just a track going around or do they have other tracks that like F1? iv never seen nascar but would like to get into it if any good
BlackBird252l 2 years ago
they race at two road courses a year, infineon in california and watkins glen in new york
a total of 22 tracks i believe
crakajack3 2 years ago
@BlackBird252l: Nope, NASCAR's is about nothing but driving in circles.
Psythik 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
u no the that dudes head was riped of
snottbucket1 2 years ago
Actually at 0:09 you see the helmet/head in the air toward pit road. It's auto racing...that's the chance you take. Thank God there have been major improvements.
theStiggler 2 years ago 4
no roll cage!?
nvidiapcgaming 2 years ago 2
@nvidiapcgaming
I think they only had to have a roll bar then.
SCRTChannel 1 year ago 2
@SCRTChannel No, they had as full cage as they do now.
bagruen 1 year ago
I've seen on a couple of websites that his roll cage didn't have an Earnhardt bar, which is a bar that runs front to back, providing longitudinal support to the cage. They became mandatory the next year. Without the Earnhardt bar, the roll bars had nothing to support them from being sheared off like they were in Phillips' crash.
dcs002 1 year ago
Here's the story as I remember it.
Phillips had bought the car from Cale Yarborough, I believe. The top had been heavily damaged in a wreck and the roll cage was rebuilt. The rumor was that the roll cage totally failed and was pretty much useless.
whiteboy1815 1 year ago 4
@whiteboy1815 wow i never heard that part of the story before but kinda makes sence
chevymadman5 1 year ago
@whiteboy1815 I had always heard that these cars had been sold and re-sold, built and rebuilt so many times that they were terribly unsafe. The drivers in the series had very little experience on superspeedways and the cars were all used. Not really the best of ideas if you think about it.
braves15 1 year ago
This guy a legend round here
NSAshow 2 years ago
we had to watch this clip in our chassis and roll bar class at school to show the importance of building a roll cage now and why they are the way they are now. no one thought it was as bad as it actually was until we were told how bad.
I hate to see this happening but at least he died doing what he loved doing. RIP Russell
vbbeachkid18 2 years ago 6
The fuck? No rollcage? Or maybe there was one...made outta cotton candy.
Poor guy. Way to waste a good driver.
wildbloodydragon 2 years ago 9
@wildbloodydragon there was a roll cage but not the one that is in the middle where the rear view mirrors are on regular cars.. because of this accident, all Arca and nascar cars now have one..
klepetar 9 months ago
pause the video at 0:32, look to the right of the red car on the top of the screen, look at the dark concrete area, and you can see a dot on a mass. That is his head, and the dot was light shining off of the helmet. R.I.P. Russell Phillips
TitansNation 2 years ago
no its not u dumbass
mrvalero305 2 years ago
@TitansNation Are you sure?
That looks WAY too small to be a helmet.
Maybe its a piece of debris and the helmet is out of shot?
pwnzor3000 1 year ago
I think this is definitely the worst/ most gruesome crash ever. Sure, geoff bodine's crash at daytona was bad, and many other crashes in racing, but the way Russell went is the worst. Thank god they trashed this series soon after the crash. It was a bad idea from the beginning. I mean those are just horribly built cars.
hockeymaniac1218 2 years ago
You haven't seen Tom Pryce's crash if you think this is the worst.
psi2hi 2 years ago 2
well i admit tom's crash was gruesome for him and the fire marshall. the marshall got dismembered, almost obliterated, with all due respect. but Russell's body was "cheese-grated" against the fence and then he hit the caution light. With Russell, there weren't chunks, there were pieces. I know that's really graphic, but it's the only way I can describe my opinion. I would probably put Tom's crash right behind Russell's though, with all due respect to both drivers.
hockeymaniac1218 2 years ago
Damn. That is worse. I'm glad you can't see that on video. Unlike the Pryce accident. I watched an unsensored version of the Pryce accident not knowing what it was about. It was shocking.
psi2hi 2 years ago
i'm ashamed to even live in the same county as you sales guy. the man is dead for crying out loud, have respect for the man and his family. fuckin ass wipe
hotrod347 2 years ago
It's a good thing that there isn't better camera footage of the wreck . Imagine the gruesome horror show there would have had if there had been inside the car cameras .
uv22dac 2 years ago
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tony565565 2 years ago
You're sick !
uv22dac 2 years ago
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Mr. Phillipps is at the Browns-Ravens game 2day!
SaleGuy 2 years ago
It's nothing to joke about "SaleGuy" . Russell Phillips died in one of the most horrible ways possible . I can't understand why anyone would find anything funny in such a horrible death .
synchmaster2 2 years ago
they said the he was torn to bit do to the crash and his head was still in the helmet when it was found on the pits
DemonREC1995 2 years ago
He was absolutely torn to bits.There was nothing left waist up.They covered the car in a tarp and put it in a closed garage,the marshals were picking up body parts from the track's surface for an hour,and after they cleared out the spectators the fire department came and hosed off the grandstands where the wreck happened.
CRod401 2 years ago
WOW that was the nastiest stock car crash I have ever seen.
sk4382 2 years ago
you can see his helmet (which was on his head) rolling away from the wreck
RIP
Tigerpuffer 2 years ago
Where can you see such a thing?!
NismoFinder 2 years ago
3 others drivers were injured? There were only 2 drivers that hit the wall. wth?
twcrockstar51 2 years ago
What the fuck malfunctioned with the roll cage man?!
Seth24dude 2 years ago
apparently thats the reason they have 'em now
Tigerpuffer 2 years ago
This wreck was before the inception of the "Earnhardt Bar," which runs down the center of the windshield and supports/braces the roof of the roll cage. Refered to as the "Earnhardt Bar" because his near fatal wreck at Talladega in 1996 brought its inception.
chubbycsb 2 years ago
they had minimal roll cages..and because of that accident, a middle tube in the middle of the roll cage was added..i think the size of the tubes got bigger too
goerge4 2 years ago
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wow good thing it didnt fucking explode
skatereatsmonster 2 years ago
what happened to the roll cage?
imreallytiredofthis 2 years ago
what a terrible way to die. at least he didnt have to suffer. RIP
doogrisa 2 years ago 2
i dont really wanna no if tht is the helmet u c but i think ity may b and tht is just plain sad i cant bleve this he died the worst way possible
drerrito 2 years ago
r.i.p from denmark
very sad:(
kimkules 2 years ago
i think he died when not only the roof collapsing, but getting slapped by the other car, but possibly his head hitting and maybe scraping the fence or wall! i do not like hearing people talking shit on a video where someone dies! there are people that don't take kindly to that kind of talk!
jusaLOSER 2 years ago 19
He was killed from scraping a long the fence, he was decapitated and his hand was hanging from a caution light...
tubeyou443 2 years ago 2
@jusaLOSER the roll cage failed, if i remember correctly. and when he hit the fence, it was just like a cheese grater. the poor thing was just shredded all over the track.
tranurse 1 year ago
@jusaLOSER Sadly.. He was decapitated.. Great racing bud, R.I.P Russell Phillips
Shortay1325 1 year ago
@jusaLOSER It's even worse. I saw today two people put up videos of the 9/11 attack while putting the Guile Theme from the Street Fighter game series, saying it goes with it, treating the entire thing like it's some joke! And I found horrible,horrible comments on them! Some people out there are just sick assholes!
inuyashavsnaruto 1 year ago
I am DISGUSTED by both the inhumanity and childish attempts at black humor by some people on this board. There is REAL FAMILY MEMBERS of Russell that read this guys...picture it being YOUR son, YOUR brother, YOUR friend...not so funny then is it?
We're talking about a man who's only recognizable body pieces after the accident were his right eyeball found in the helmet and his mangled scrotum found in the catchfence as the rest of him was cheese-grated to meatsauce by the fence. Shame on u.
slitheringinterstate 2 years ago
he got decapitated? wow thats harsh... but ur rite..... people these days >=(
f3wbs 2 years ago
So sad. This poor man. A dedicated Christian and absolutely wonderful person who helped a lot of troubled youths become better people, and who had a smile wider than sunshine and who was so excited just to be in this race on this day. You people who put horrible posts on here should be ashamed.
neilprtr 2 years ago 33
AMEN... you would be surprised how many horrible comments I have deleted on this clip. I almost locked the comments, but some are very insightful.
cotadog 2 years ago 16
@neilprtr and @cotadog You will find that such comments are not from motorsport fans. The anonymity allowed by YouTube means that it is almost certain that such comments are from school boys between 8 and 14 years old. I would refer you to the DunningKruger effect. Look it up on wiki. It describes why people talk so confidently about things they know nothing about.
DaiJonesful 1 year ago
@neilprtr I am sorry but why dose it matter that he was a Christian, would you morn his death if he was a muslim, or even *gasp!* an atheist?
I've never heard of this man, but I am sure that he was a good guy and didn't earn this tradgy death.
Roushfan5 1 year ago
Actually thats wrong as his head was found at the pit lane entrance and 1 of his hands was found stuck in the funce
Bason99 2 years ago
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What a dick move by the guy in the black car.
TheoneGodfather 2 years ago
he was just trying to move. but phillips was in the way
SpartanW98 2 years ago
How does the roof get sheared off a racecar? That's the shock right there leading to the tragic loss of Philips.
AEMoreira81 2 years ago
That car had just about as much integrity as a Chinese-built car. RIP.
Winston2003 2 years ago
you have proof of this?
Roush9 2 years ago
sadly its true.. hard to tell on youtube ,, but on my original recording you can see it right below the "series" on the wall logo at 0:19 RIP Russell
cotadog 2 years ago 2
wow :(
rip
Roush9 2 years ago
Can you put it online?
goodwilltubing 2 years ago
what can you see below the series at 0:19?
axegrinder89 2 years ago
his head rolling
Pinkyprank4 2 years ago
to nascarfan - thx !
indigoblue555 2 years ago
That car is really weak, there is no WAY any car should be allowed to race with the roof buckling like that. Was there no rollcage or anything? :(
Lukeno52 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
These are NASCRASH cars. You expect safety features?
Their idea of safety is that the driver is "thrown clear" in an accident.
zxcv1234vcxz 2 years ago
what a shit are you talk!
basicgroove 2 years ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
Kill yourself if you don't like the facts.
zxcv1234vcxz 2 years ago
omg!!!
mosportkarting6 2 years ago
terrible crash, the only crash worse than this is gordon smiley because you can actually see gordon, r.i.p both
chief1tooth 2 years ago
tom pryce
1epic1 2 years ago
don mactavish
tommykl 2 years ago
carl edwards almost had that accdent last week on the last lap he would of lost his head like