For the second straight year, Tim Russell has wrapped up the Bright House Series Championship after his second-place finish at New Smyrna Speedway (FL). Russell entered the race with a healthy points lead and easily locked up the title. For Russell it’s his fifth Late Model Championship in Florida in the last two years.
“It’s pretty cool to win the title back to back,” said Russell. “It’s another thing for the racing resume. I just hope we can keep the momentum going.”
It wasn’t all fun and games for Russell. He had to avoid a big mess right in front of him as he was coming through the pack in the late stages of the race.
“We were really proud of ourselves because we sat on the pole for the 11th time this year,” said Russell. “It all went downhill from there as a car spun in front me on the start and knocked the right front out of whack. It was a miracle that we finished as well as we did. After the race I looked at the damage and I was shocked how banged up the car was. The whole door was ripped off it.”
Russell, who won the 2007 FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model Championship, closed in on points leader Jeremy Colangelo, who had problems. As the final race approaches, Russell sits only 13 points off the lead heading into the Governor’s Cup 200 at New Smyrna Speedway. Russell has been very strong at the Gov. Cup in the past, but he’s never been able to win. A victory might lock up a second-consecutive championship for Russell.
“We’re not going to worry about the points,” explained Russell. “We know that if we win the race that the points will take care of themselves.”
Action at New Smyrna Speedway will begin with practice on Friday, November 21st, then the Governor’s Cup 200 on Saturday, November 22nd.
