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Russell, Akins are big winners on Night #1

The last time Tim Russell was at New Smyrna Speedway, he drove away from November's Governor's Cup as the 2007 Florida Sunbelt Series champion. On Friday night, the DSM 75 prospect drove away the victor in the Super Late Model race on Night #1 of the World Series of Asphalt.

The Longwood, Fla. four-star prospect captured the win in the 30-lap shootout, holding off a hard-charging Ryan Sieg for the win. Russell led every lap in the feature after starting on the pole.

Sieg finished 2nd, followed by Jack Landis, DSM 75 prospect B.J. McLeod, and Justin Drawdy.

McLeod, a Wauchula, Fla. three-star prospect was spun earlier in the race by Drawdy but managed to the top-five finish after lining back up in the fourth position.

Palm Beach, Fla. five-star Jeff Choquette drove from the 14th starting spot to finish sixth in the 31-car field.

Russell wasn't the only notable winner in World Series competition on Friday.

Daytona Beach, Fla. two-star Chad Akins started second and led every lap of the 25-lap Limited Late Model race for his first World Series win. Drew Brannon, Derrick Kelley, A.J. Curreli, and Kevin Ingram rounded out the top-five.

Curreli regrouped from going behind the wall after extensive sheet metal damage, caused from his car bottoming out early in the contest, required repair.

Chuck Hossfeld took home the win in the 30-lap Tour-type Modified race after a swooping pass on pole-sitter Jimmy Blewett gave him the lead. Bobby Grigas, Teddy Christopher, Andy Seuss, and Eric Beers followed Hossfeld to the line. Blewett finished eighth.

Eric Chase won a lengthy Crate Late Model contest that featured three red flag stoppages, two of which involved Dustin Skinner in ferocious accidents. David Wagner and Will Thomas finished second and third, respectively.

Night #2 action kicks off tomorrow at 7:30 pm EDT. Coverage of the nine-day event continues on davidsmithmotorsports.com.