| TIM RUSSELL PICKS UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF IN SUNBELT | By Dave Westerman
 The 2008 season for the FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model Series finally kicked off Friday evening at Orlando Speedworld, and if one race is any indication, Tim Russell may be well on his way to back to back championships. Eighteen cars made the trip to the track, three more than were in the pits before the show was scratched three weeks prior due to rain.
The biggest surprise of the day would come in qualifying as rookie Matt Bowers toured the track at 13.633 seconds to set quick time. Bowers, one of several graduates of Speedworld's Saturday night Legend Car class now running the Sunbelt tour, topped veteran Brian Finney whose lap time was 13.654. David Rogers, Patrick Conrad and Tim Russell rounded out the top five in time trials.
Bowers pulled the five pill and that placed 2007 Sunbelt Champion Russell on the pole for the 125 lap race which was sponsored by City Beverage of Orlando and Budweiser.
Russell didn't waste any time with his good fortune as he blasted out to a quick commanding lead only to be slowed by the first caution period on lap five for Vince Keeler's spin. Russell continued to dominate as he sped away again on the restart with David Rogers doing everything he could to stay close.
The rain out three weeks before was actually a blessing for Dusty Cornelius as he destroyed his car in a practice crash just before Mother Nature washed everything out. Cornelius was back with a new mount but he was having severe handling issues and he spun on lap 14 for caution number two.
A few laps after the green reappeared, Doug Elliot slapped the wall just under the flag stand then spun to a halt in turn one. Elloitt was unable to restart. Russell continued to set a blistering pace but was slowed again on lap 36 as Cornelius lost the handle again and spun in turn two.
The next 30 laps would be run under green as Russell continued to have his way with the field. At half-way, Russell held the point over Rogers, Conrad, Finney, Bowers, Jeremy Colangelo, Kurt Jett, Daniel Webster, Justin Larson and Corey Freed.
Caution was displayed again for a slowing car on lap 71 and on the following restart Rogers appeared now to be able to stay at least within striking distance of Russell. Lap 80 would prove disastrous for car #80 as Finney looped out of fourth spot in turn four to bring out the yellow flag once again.
Russell and Rogers continued to set the pace but were slowed again on lap 109 for Keeler's spin in turn two and a final time on lap 115 when Finney backed into the turn four wall damaging his car enough to send him pit side.
The race went back to green with just eleven laps remaining and Rogers now finally seemed to have something for Russell. Last lap heroics would not be in the offing for anybody though. With three laps to go, a light rain shower suddenly began to fall sending the field scrambling to hold onto their machines. Russell nearly wrecked coming off turn two but managed to get his Rannai Tankless Water Heaters Chevrolet back under him as the field slowed under caution.
With a light coat of water now on the track, the checkered flag was thrown and the finishing order set after the completion of 122 laps.
Russell enjoyed the spoils of victory lane as the rain had already stopped by the time he could exit his car. The defending Sunbelt champion looks to already be in the driver's seat for a possible run at back to back titles.
Rogers had a great run in his TM Ranch Dodge as he finished a strong second in front of Conrad. Bowers had a fast car all night but could never find much passing room as the youngster settled for a nice fourth place finish while Colangelo took fifth in the Mark Martin Performance/RE-MAX Special giving former OSW Legend Car graduates three of the top five spots.
Daniel Webster did the passing job of the night coming from 11th on the grid to sixth with Corey Freed, Justin Larson, Kurt Jett and Travis Towell rounding out the top ten. Completing the finishers were Fain Skinner, Dustin Henderson, Keeler, Finney, Brad Bischoff, Cornelius, Elliott and Ronnie Roach.
CITY BEVERAGE/BUDWEISER SUNBELT 125
1. #36 Tim Russell, Longwood
2. #11 David Rogers, Orlando
3. #2 Patrick Conrad, Clermont
4. #84X Matt Bowers, Mt. Dora
5. #05 Jeremy Colangelo, Deland
6. #3 Daniel Webste, Brooksville
7. #12 Corey Freed, Orlando
8. #88 Justin Larson, Safety Harbor
9. #9 Kurt Jett, Orange Park
10. #14 Travis Towell, Sanford
11. #1 Fain Skinner, Live Oak
12. #07 Dustin Henderson, St. Cloud
13. #7 Vince Keeler, Sebastian
14. #80 Brian Finney, Merritt Island
15. #53 Brad Bischoff, Myakka
16. #22 Dusty Cornelius, Cocoa
17. #7X Doug Elliot, Port Orange
18. #14X Ronnie Roach, Orlando
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