Shortly after returning home from The World of Outlaws World Finals, Russ and the crew began disassembling the cars for inspection and a complete rebuild. Most everything will stay the same as it was last year with Rocket Chassis and Custom Engines supplying the power. The bodies have been re-skinned and dressed in wraps created by Slavic Designs in Russ’ traditional red color.

Bobby Bachman will return to lead the team as crew chief and Craig “Snowman” McCrimmon has been brought in as a full-time mechanic. Russ’ mom, Sis, will return to handle the duties of driving the rig and feeding the crew while on tour. Of course Rex Sr., Russ’ dad, and brother Rex Jr. “Cooter” and girlfriend Ashley Jackson will again lend support at the shop and at select events closer to home. Read more »

The Great Wolf Lodge hosted the World of Outlaws Late Model Series banquet on Sunday night. The King gang moved from the close quarters of the toter home into the Great Wolf Lodge and enjoyed a day of leisurely activities preceding the Sunday night festivities. It was a night to relax and spend time with friends, both old and new. Some racing stories were re-hashed and rumors about the 2010 season were discussed.

After nearly eleven months of racing and following/chasing the WoO Late Model Tour across the country, the season was now over. Russ won the RoY title by a 148 point margin. The tenth spot in the WoO Championship points race was secured by a 199 point margin. With only twenty some late model races under his belt at the start of the season it is certainly an accomplishment to be proud of. Read more »

BRISTOLVILLE, OH – Russ and the #56 late model team headed south for the last week of racing with a handful of mixed emotions. They were excited about the position they were in with a comfortable point lead in the battle for both the Rookie of the Year and the tenth spot in the World of Outlaws Late Model Championship point’s race. However, they were also apprehensive because, as we all know; it’s never really over until it’s over, no matter how comfortable the lead might have appeared.

They were confident because of the consistency of their finishes since mid-season and also because of the recent win at McKean County Speedway. But they were also concerned because, as Russ said, “The other drivers aren’t going to be throwing in the towel just yet.” Read more »

BRISTOLVILLE, OH – Mother nature held the best hand over the second half of the race season as six races were impacted by rain after the Wild West Tour. The events at Muskingum (OH) and Eriez (PA) were re-scheduled while Fayetteville (SC), I-55(MO) and LaSalle (IL) were dropped from the World of Outlaws schedule. The “topless” race at Concord, NC originally scheduled for October 14 has been moved to November 3, one day before The WoO Finals.

The change of pace from what had been a hectic summer included a rewarding first late model win for Russ at McKean County Speedway. While he has amassed numerous feature wins in the King Motorsports big-block modified, including a BRP Modified Series Championship, the late model A-Main win was a first. Read more »

BRISTOLVILLE, OH – The Wild West Tour was shortened to four events from the originally scheduled six due to unexpected cancellations. Although a disappointment to the race teams, it did provide a welcome travel break considering the distances between the venues.

Crew chief Bobby Bachman was back from his Hawaii trip and teamed up once again with Russ and Nick on this trip.

SPRING VALLEY, MN – July 8 – A steady morning rain greeted the teams when they arrived at Deer Creek Speedway a day early. That evening the track prepared a cook-out featuring giant smoked pork chops just to welcome the WoO racers. This facility is a state of the art complex sitting on over sixty acres in the central Midwest. The three-eighths mile high-banked clay oval includes VIP suites and decks with a total seating capacity of eight thousand. Sis was intrigued by the huge amount of new equipment on hand for track maintenance. Read more »