Russ Tops FASTRUCKS - Steele Dominates F.A.S.T. Sprints at New Smyrna
by Dave Westerman
Shane Russ has quite a few laps around the high banks of New Smyrna Speedway in a Super Late Model and he put all of that expertise to work Saturday night as he claimed the 50-lap FASTRUCK Series event for his first win of the season while Dave Steele, prepping for another season of USAC racing when the snow melts up north, drove to a convincing win in the companion FASTSPRINT feature.
Old pro Paul Grynewicz set the pace in qualifying with his lap of 20.766 seconds the best of the 25 trucks in attendance. Grynewicz wasn't as lucky in the inversion draw as he pulled an eight, but it did put his team truck with Paul Grynewicz III on the pole.
The younger Grynewicz got the jump on the start with Wendell Bristol hot on his tailgate as the field jockeyed for position behind him. Lap four would see the first caution flag as Russ and Brian Luloff bumped in turn four with Luloff spinning and being relegated to the rear of the field for the restart.
Paul Grynewicz was on the charge, taking second spot on lap six just as trucks began spinning wildly in turn one. Bronson winner Bobby Owens got a piece of the wall as well and headed to the pits to make repairs.
The problem was rear end grease, possibly out of the truck of Andy Breedlove, who had dropped out just before all the spinning began. Once the track was again race-ready, Paul Grynewicz wasted little time moving to the lead taking the top spot from Grynewicz III and setting sail as the race continued under green.
Russ moved into second spot but was well behind Grynewicz until he began to close rapidly on lap 17. Grynewicz had a right front tire going down and Russ drove by to take the lead on lap 20 as Grynewicz began to fade back into the field, eventually pulling off the track on lap 25.
Three laps later, the transmission exploded in Grynewicz III's Chevy truck and he coasted to the bottom of turn one. Caution was displayed to remove the truck and clean up the tranny fluid left all over the track.
Russ continued to set the pace, but all eyes were now glued to Jimmy Gill. Gill, who had won the rain-shortened FASTRUCK race at Orlando Speedworld the night before, started 20th and had steadily been working his way to the front. Gill moved to the second spot, but everyone's momentum was slowed when the engine let go in Gary Foxworth's Dodge on lap 41 to bring out the yellow flag.
On the restart, Russ was up to the challenge, holding off a hard charge by Gill to claim the win in his Gold Bank sponsored Chevy Silverado. Russ, of Myakka City, the 1993 Florida Pro Series Super Late Model champion, says he's found a home in the FASTRUCK series after being forced out of the SLM ranks by the high costs of running that type of car.
Gill grabbed the second spot to complete a great weekend while James Wright III hung around the front all race and took the checker third. Point leader Tommy King drove his Ford to a steady fourth while Jeff Guilbault was fifth. Brian Luloff, Wendell Bristol, Curt Haywood, Charlie Worth, and Jeff Firestine rounded out the top ten.
Dave Steele was re-united with his dad Mac Steele's #0 Sprint car and he made quick work of the non-wing FASTSPRINT field.
Steele drew the pole and led all 15 laps. The only thing that slowed Steele down was a lap ten caution flag when J.J. Dutton's car lost power and coasted to a stop in turn four.
Following Steele to the checker were "Revvin" Kevin Cahill and Tommy Nichols, who unfortunately blew his engine just as he crossed the finish line.
Shane Miller was fourth and Lee Cipray rounded out the top five.
OFFICIAL FINISHES - NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY - 3/15/03:
FASTRUCKS (50 Laps):
1) Shane Russ, Myakka City #94 2) Jimmy Gill, Sarasota #5 3) James Wright III, Auburndale #56 4) Tommy King, Bartow #16 5) Jeff Guilbault, Bradenton #92 6) Brian Luloff, Dade City #7 7) Wendell Bristol, Auburndale #18 8) Curt Haywood, Ft. Lauderdale #97 9) Charlie Worth, Loxahatchee #03 10) Jeff Firestine, Nokomis #93 11) Mason Love, St. Petersburg #2 12) Kelly Caudill, South Daytona #33 13) Tom North, Plantation #83 14) Scott O'Neil, Thonotosassa #09 15) Ted Head Grynewicz, Pine Hills #140 16) Bill Stacy, Daytona Beach #32 17) Pat Dunn, Melbourne #21 18) Tim Shaffner, Ft. Lauderdale #76 19) Gary Foxworth, Lutz #25 20) Bobby Owens, Orlando #1 21) Paul Grynewicz III, Spring Hill #44 22) Paul Grynewicz, Hudson #40 23) Graham McCorvey, Gibsonton #78 24) Big Al Neumann, Bradenton #4 25) Andy Breedlove, Sarasota #50
FASTSPRINTS (15 Laps):
1) Dave Steele, Indianapolis, IN #0 2) Kevin Cahill, Land O' Lakes #87 3) Tommy Nichols, Tampa #03 4) Shane Miller, Lutz #5 5) Lee Cipray, Tampa #0C 6) Mike Love, Ocala #7 7) Joby Barrington, Tampa #88 8) J.J. Dutton, Tampa #86 9) Lonnie Fishback, Ocala #7X
