Tim Russell knows how to win championships. And Saturday night’s first leg of the Triple Crown in Florida, run at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, FL, was the picture-perfect example of how to win championships.
Russell and his #36 Rinnai team took a ill-handling car and came home with a third-place finish on Saturday night, extending his Sunbelt Series Super Late Model points lead in the process.
“Man, my team worked their butts off,” said Russell. “We were junk all day. We adjusted quite a bit for qualifying. I think we were a top three car at best tonight, and we finished third. Wayne (Anderson) was just really hooked up tonight, so we just tried to keep the fenders on it and come out with a good finish. We almost got second there, we just had to battle with a car to get by him, but I’m just glad to come out of here with a third-place finish.
“It’s good for the points. Everybody on this whole Rinnai team works hard, and we’re glad to come out of here with a top-five. Anytime you can come out with a good car and top-fives, the points take care of themselves.”
Russell battled handling problems all throughout practice and qualifying. Russell was then able to move up to just outside the top-five before the team’s only pit stop just after halfway. Russell avoided several accidents all night long. He made a great move on the high side following Justin Drawdy when two other cars wrecked right in front of him, slipping by the high side of one, just missing damage.
The Florida veteran then fought with Drawdy at the end, making a move on the high side to grab third.
“I just drove like we were supposed to, and my spotter, Patrick Williams, did an awesome job. Some of the accident we just got through on luck, and the others we were just staying out of the way. I’m just glad we got all the fenders on it and can move on for the next race.”
