Tim's Trip to Victory Lane Highlights Smyrna Speedweeks
World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing Has Its Highs and Lows
Over the course of nine nights of racing, just about anything can happen. During Tim Russell's effort in the 44th Annual World Series of Asphalt Short Track Racing at New Smyrna Speedway (FL), just about everything did.
The highlight of Russell's week was easily his victory on the second night of competition. In that feature, Russell fought a spirited battle with fellow Floridian Jeff Choquette, and came out on top at the end of the race.
“I didn't know if we could do it,” said Russell. “We were just trying to do the best that we could. We got boxed in there at the start and he (Choquette) was able to go. Once we got to second, we were both going as fast as we could. That was a blast racing with Jeff.”
That pace might have actually been too quick, except for a late-race caution period.
“I don't know if I burned my stuff up there, so that caution was a blessing for us. I got the lead out of turn four and there was water down there. So I thought we were going to fence it. I thought we were done, but we were able to hold on (and win).”
The rest of Russell's Speedweeks included three rainouts and two disqualifications. A change in the technical crew at the event made disqualifications very common throughout the week. After one event, the entire top-five finishers, including Russell and Choquette, were disqualified.
Russell also got involved in a wreck and ended up with a finish of 19th in the series-ending Pete Orr Memorial 100 on Saturday night.
Russell ended the series being tied for eighth in the World Series point standings.
