rpm.espn.com: Darrell Russell

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Friday, December 20
Updated: December 31, 1:38 PM ET

Darrell Russell
By Bill Stephens
ESPN.com

Team: Bilstein Engine Flush/Joe Amato Racing

Darrell Russell
Russell

STATS

Year
Rank
Wins
Final rounds
No. 1 qualifier
Round record

2002 6 3 5 1 29-20

Career 5 12 1 65-42

2002 recap
The good: Russell came into his own as a consistent threat to win after tuner Wayne Dupuy came aboard in April. He won a career-best three national events and showed his Rookie of the Year season and 2001 sixth-place finish was no fluke.

Season highlight: He nearly swept the Western Swing, which his team owner, Joe Amato, did in 1991. Russell won in Denver and Seattle, but missed in Sonoma, Calif.

Darrell Russell
Darrell Russell picked up three victories in 2002.

The bad: Russell didn't get a round win until the fourth race of the season. He gave every other contender in the class a big head start in the points.

Season lowlight: At the final race of the year, he won his first career No. 1 qualifying spot. Unfortunately, he then lost in the first round to Andrew Cowin.

Key stat: Russell qualified for every race in 2002. Even the 2002 champion, Larry Dixon, can't make that claim.

2003 outlook
What needs to be done: Russell's team must not sacrifice performance for consistency. When having to step it up, Russell can't afford to smoke the tires. It cost him in 2002.

Prediction: Russell is definitely a top-10 player and his team has shown the ability to win races, but getting a championship in 2003 may be just slightly out of their reach.

Your take
Here are your thoughts on Russell's prospects for the 2003 season.

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