Tim Russell Continues Streak, Wins Third-Straight Race

Florida Youngster Says The Key To Nine Wins Is Just Having Fun

In a recent interview, Tim Russell told the reporter that he was having fun in the midst of one of the best seasons he’s had in a long time.  The thing is, Russell would be hard pressed to find a previous season in his career that has matched what he’s done in 2005.  It has been a dream season for Russell, and it continued this past Saturday night at Desoto Super Speedway in Bradenton, FL.

Russell qualified second, took the lead just past the midway point of the race, and went on to win his ninth race of the season, and his third-consecutive, in Saturday night’s 100-lap Pro Late Model event.

“It was another awesome weekend,” said Russell.  “We had a real good car.  I qualified second, just by a couple of hundredths to Chris Fontaine.  So we knew we were going to have a good car.  They inverted three rows, which put us back to sixth.

“They had a couple of quick cautions early in the race and on each restart, we were able to jump to the outside and pass some cars.  Before you knew it, we were up to second and then, we just took our time getting to the front.  We got underneath the leader going into turn three close to halfway, and from there on out, it was our race.”

With such an impressive season, Russell has often been asked how he and his team have kept their #36 Rinnai/Tempaco/Dave Brewer Custom Homes Late Model in Victory Lane.  Russell’s answer has been a simple one… “fun.”

“Having fun is a big key to winning.  Our whole team is about having fun.  We joke around with each other.  We play pranks on each other.  We go out there and have the best time we can.  That all works into the performance on the track.”

Tim climbs out of his car after yet another win at Desoto.

Russell’s win was also his fifth of the year at the 3/8th-mile Desoto Super Speedway.

“It is just a fun track to race at.  It is fast and you have to be up on the wheel.  It isn’t an easy track, but it isn’t too extremely hard.  It is just real racy.  It is like a big rollercoaster.  They have a big bump going into three.  It is fast down the straights.  It is just a fun place to run.”

In addition to his five wins at Desoto, Russell has also found Victory Lane at USA International Speedway (Lakeland, FL), Orlando Speedworld, New Smyrna Speedway and Columbia Motorsports Park (Lake City, FL).  Since the start of August, Russell has finished no worse than fourth in any race he’s entered.  In 17 races this season, Russell has only finished outside the top-five two times. 

“I don’t think I’d be disappointed in second if that is where we finished any given weekend,” added Russell.  “It’s just fun to be a part of this.  This is the best season I’ve had in a long, long time.  How good the season has been is finally starting to set in.  If we just keep having fun and running good like we are, then we’ll keep having shots at getting the win.

“We get a lot of congratulations at the track.  People are always telling us how good of a year we are having.  We are going to the track now as the car to beat.  Everyone is trying to outrun us.  It is a good feeling to show up and know that you are the top guy and that everyone is trying to outgun you.”

Russell will try to keep his streak going, as he heads to Orlando Speedworld this coming weekend for the season-finale for the Goodyear Challenge Series on Friday night.  The team will then take their Super Late Model back to Desoto on Saturday to compete in the track’s AACS class.

If you would like more information on Tim Russell and his future racing plans, contact Jeremy Troiano at (704) 726-6849 and check out the all-new TimRussell36.com.