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The moment we have all been waiting for came at about 5:30 on Saturday April 26th. The 2008 racing season was officially underway for Russell Motorsports. The Team made the tow to the Famed Fonda Speedway for the Annual 360 Sprint Car open with their 305 C.I. powered machine.
This race is generally used as a test session for most teams in the area but every team unloaded ready to go Saturday night, after a long grueling winter. The Russell Motorsports crew was anxious to take to the track after working hard all winter long repairing their racing machine.
There was a question as to whether the motor was good to go when it was started for the first time as Crew Chief, Bob Russell, still wasn't confident that the engine was firing on all 8 cylinders to its full potential.
After a few adjustments, it was finally time to take to the racetrack. It didn't take very long for Jami to settle into the seat and get a feel for the car. After a handful of practice laps, Jami looked as if he had never left the seat. The crew at Fonda Speedway laid down some fresh clay prior to Saturday's event, raising question as to how the track conditions would play out. As the Sprint cars took to the track for their practice session, all debates were silenced as they ran laps in the 17-second bracket, averaging around 114 mph.
Jami was very content with the car after his set of fast warm-ups. Only minor chassis adjustments were necessary for the heat race. Jami decided to change 3 shocks and make a wing adjustment before heading back out to the speedway.
The Northstar Chevrolet #27 sprint car took off from the number 3 spot in the second heat race. A couple of that faster 360 cars worked past Russell in the opening laps of the event and Jami eventually settled in and began working his way around the quick half mile speedway, finishing in the 6th position and qualifying for the night's A-main event.
The Feature line-up was determined by a redraw for the top 3 in each heat race, the rest falling in line heads up according to their heat race finish. Jami would start 12th or 13th on the grid. The young sprint car pilot fell victim to the faster 360 C.I. powered sprinters in the opening lap, losing a couple of positions but was able to close in and gain them back as the under powered car was able to build momentum. Jami was up to 10th by lap 4 when Veteran Sprint car driver, Warren Alexson experienced hard contact with the outside retaining wall in turn four, climbing the wall, and flipping violently down the front stretch, matching the height of the catch fence. Alexson walked away with only minor bumps and bruises. This scary incident brought out the red flag on lap 4 and unfortunately brought the rains with it.
The race was called when the rains came on lap 4, ending the night. The feature will be re-run when the Empire Super Sprints make their visit to Fonda Speedway on May 31st.
Big news has come out of the Russell Motorsports Camp this week involving their plans for the future. This past week, Team owner, Bob Russell purchased an ASCS legal 360 C.I. power plant with hopes of attending more 360 Sprint car races this season. The Engine was on the dynamometer and recorded over 650 HP! That is almost twice the power of the Current power plant in the Northstar Chevrolet Sprinter.
The crew can now look forward to a bit of time off after working diligently for the last two months to prepare for the season. The next race on the Russell Motorsports Schedule is a Practice date with the CRSA Sprint cars at Glen Ridge Motorsports Park on May 17th, Followed by an ESS event at Jami's Favorite Race track, Utica Rome Speedway on Sunday, May 25th.
The crew would like to thank Northstar Chevrolet, Hico Fabrications, Krash Menders, Steve Miller Motor Sports, Scott Loomis Restorations, Patterson Motorsports, and Pancho's Racing Products. It would not have been possible to rebuild the car and be ready for the 2008 season without the help of these wonderful sponsors.
Jami Russell #27
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