Tim Russell wins Sunbelt Opener at Citrus County Speedway on Last Lap Pass
by Jane Smith
Inverness, FL, (Feb. 24, 2007) It was not quite a spring night but it was not a bad night as the Sunbelt Super Late Model Series opened it's 2007 season at Citrus County Speedway. Twenty two of Florida's finest Super Late Models were on hand for the 125 lap race with James Powell of Astor setting fast time with a 13.316. Powell seemed to have the touch as he pulled the 0 pill and set the field straight up for the start.
One of the 2007 rookies, Dusty Cornelius of Cocoa, Florida, had bad luck off the bat in his first Sunbelt race as his engine just did not want to go without leaving an oily mess. Cornelius, although very disappointed, withdrew fromt the race.usse But Cornelius was not the only disappointed driver.
James Powell and Mac Johnson were side-by-side for the start but on the warm-up laps, somehow Johnson spun leaving Powell no where to go but into Johnson. Both drivers were gentlemen as they were removed from the track and the race. Both cars had very good chances of winning the first Sunbelt race of 2007 but as they say, things happen.
Taking over the pole position was Jeff Scofield of Plant City and Gary Grubbs of Brooksville on the outside. When the green waved, Scofield jumped to the lead followed by Tim Russell, Grubbs, Daniel Webster, and Travis Cope. Lap 10 saw the first caution for Kurt Jett as he spun on the frontstretch.
The race goes back green with Scofield on the point followed by Russell, Webster, Grubbs, Cope, Perry Brown, Daryl Shelnut, Brian Finney, Corey Freed, and Scott Grossenbacher. Brown is eager to take over fifth but young Cope holds strong and maintains his position. Lap 26 sees Cope spin as both Cope and Brown are sent to the rear for bringing out the caution. The race goes back green until lap 40 when Kurt Jett spins on the backstretch.
A few more cautions are in store for the racers but Scofield maintains his lead on eve loory restart with Russell not far behind in second. Webster holds off Grubbs as Shelnut comes into the top five with his rocketship.
By lap 109, the top ten are Scofield, Russell, Webster, Grubbs, Shelnut, Freed, Brown, Grossenbacher, Chad Pierce, and Brian Finney.
Just as it looks like Scofield cannot be beat, Tim Russell makes the pass on lap 124 as he sees Scofield struggle just enough for him to pass coming down to the checkered. Russell was just as surprised as Scofield when he crossed the checkered the winner but things do happen in the last lap of any race.
Tim Russell now leads the Sunbelt points and is off to a good start for 2007.
The Sunbelt Super Late Model Series moves next to Orlando SpeedWorld on March 23, 2007 For more information on the Sunbelt Super Late Model Series go to www.fascar.org.
OFFICIAL RESULTS FEBRUARY 24, 2007 CITRUS COUNTY SPEEDWAY
1. #36 Tim Russell, Longwood 2. #07 Jeff Scofield, Plant City 3. #3 Daniel Webster, Brooksville 4. #10 Gary Grubbs, Brooksville 5. #7 Daryl Shelnut, Lake City 6. #12 Corey Freed, Orland 7. #22x Perry Brown, Riverview 8. #09 Scott Grossenbacher, San Antiono 9. #57 Chad Pierce, Orlando 10. #80 Brian Finney, Merritt island 11. #26 Travis Cope, Bronson 12. #47x Keith Zaverel, Brooksville 13. #14 Travis Towell, Sanford 14. #9 Kurt Jett, Orange Park 15. #4 Blake Lehr, Orlando 16. #20 Scott Milar, Ocala 17. #24 Donnie Parkinson, Williston 18. #4x Perry Lovelady, Lakeland 19. #21 Jim Smith, Inverness 20. #77 James Powell, Astor 21. #6 Mac Johnson, Newberry 22. #22 Dusty Cornelius, Cocoa DNS
Taking over the pole position was Jeff Scofield of Plant City and Gary Grubbs of Brooksville on the outside. When the green waved, Scofield jumped to the lead followed by Tim Russell, Grubbs, Daniel Webster, and Travis Cope. Lap 10 saw the first caution for Kurt Jett as he spun on the frontstretch.