Not often do drivers understand that not winning is not the main goal. Tim Russell knew going into the 50-lap Brighthouse Challenge Series race on Saturday night at New Smyrna Speedway (FL) that they were shaking down their new car in preparation for the Governor’s Cup in November. The results were positive as he came home with a third-place finish.
“We had planned to try out some new stuff in a test on Friday, but we got rained out,” said Russell. “So we ended up moving some of that into the 90-minute practice session on Saturday and then the race. We qualified sixth and worked our way to the front before the car got way too tight and that’s where we ended up.”
Russell’s third-place finish in the field of 18 cars was his third podium finish of the 2010 season in the Brighthouse Challenge Series. Surprisingly, of Russell’s eight wins this season none have come in this series.
“It was a good race to learn at with some cautions to learn about how the car will react on old tires. You can’t always practice for race conditions,” added Russell.
Russell and the number-36 Insurance Offices of America Chevy will make their next stop at Auburndale Speedway (FL) on October 16th for a special 100-lapper that will pay $5,000 to the winner.
