Tim Russell Wins the Red Eye 125 at New Smyrna Speedway

Tim Russell Wins the Red Eye 125 at New Smyrna Speedway
2009 Season Perfect So Far With a Pole and a Feature Victory

CONCORD, NC (January 6, 2009) – Some people might ask what does Tim Russell have left to prove to people that he’s a legit racecar driver?  He’s won countless races and just wrapped up his second-consecutive Sunbelt Super Late Model Series Championship.  Even champions can find something to race for, as Russell knew that Wayne Anderson had his number at New Smyrna Speedway (FL) in 2008; but this was a new year.  Throw in the mix Mike Skinner, a former Camping World Truck Series Champion, and Russell had all the reason he needed to step up his game.  When the dust settled, Anderson and Skinner could only watch as the checkered flag went to Russell.  

“It was an awesome win for us,” said Russell.  “We knew we had to beat Wayne (Anderson).  He’s won a lot of races here in the last few months.  Beating a NASCAR driver like Mike Skinner for the win just makes it all the more special.  It feels really good to come out on top.”

Russell started outside the top 10 and picked his way to the front.  When he got to third, he took advantage of race leader Skinner’s bobble that stacked up Anderson in the second spot.  Russell dove to the bottom and grabbed the runner-up spot.  Only a few laps later, Russell made the pass for the lead and held on over the final 45 laps.   

“We had a really good car right from the get-go.  We were fast in practice, and we won the pole in qualifying,” said Russell.  “They put 15 numbers in the pill draw and we drew 11th and started working our way to the front from there.  We got around Wayne Anderson and then by leader Mike Skinner.  I knew after that all I had to do was hit my marks.”

As most of the country is covered with snow or foul weather, Florida seems to have the shortest off-season of any of the states that run Super Late Models.  It was in the final weeks of November that the last race was run on the east cost of Florida, and only five weeks later cars were back at the track ready to go in 2009.  Russell said it was like it had only been a few days.

“It was like I never got out of the seat,” added Russell.  “The track was a little slower with the lack of rubber on it.  We changed a few things before the race and made it a lot more drivable.  I’m happy to get the win, but now we are right back in the shop getting things ready for Speedweeks.” 

Tim Russell is already gearing for Speedweeks at New Smyrna Speedway.  The nine nights of racing has the Super Late Model teams racing eight times including the Annual Pete Orr Memorial 100.  Russell will be looking to win his first-ever Speedweeks title.

For more information on Tim Russell, please contact Matt Dillner at (704) 788-2134 x 9, and be sure to check out his website at www.timrussellonline.com.

From Matt Dillner, 51 Sports