Minnesota Racer Anderson Feeling Right at Home in Alabama | Speed 51 | 100% Short Track Racing
July 10, 2016 • App, Archives, Late Models, Region - Midwest, Region - Southeast, Top Stories
Cole Anderson hails from Northfield, Minnesota, but he is right at home in Alabama.
Anderson outdueled Deep South legend Augie Grill over the last 40 laps to claim the win in the Diamondback 125 at South Alabama Speedway. The win is Anderson’s second in a row, and completes a mid-summer sweep of the Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco events held in the Yellowhammer State.
On a restart with 40 laps to go, Anderson and Grill started side by side and stayed that way for eight laps. Lap after lap, Grill was glued to the bottom and Anderson worked the high lane. Ultimately Grill won the battle, but Anderson was setting up to win the war.
“Anthony (Campi, Anderson’s crew chief) told me to back my corner’s up and widen out the entry, and that helped a lot,” Anderson said. “I just backed off and let him go, because I didn’t think I could make it happen on the outside.”
With just 13 laps to go, Anderson made it happen with one final charge for the win with a bold move in turn three. The car stuck and Anderson cruised the rest of the race to secure his second Southern Super Series win in a row.
“The last couple of weeks have been pretty amazing,” Anderson said. “We have had a lot of success lately and hopefully we can keep it going. I am already looking forward to the next race at Pensacola.”
Grill dominated the event, leading more than 80 of the race’s 125 laps, but ultimately was forced to settle for second.
However, Grill wasn’t upset. He was just happy to be running up front, like he is accustomed.
“He (Anderson) was just a little bit better than me at the end, and I couldn’t keep him behind me,” Grill said. “It’s just all about keeping up with the Jones’. When you don’t race every week, it’s hard to keep up with the guys that do. We are going to race a little more the next few months, and will have more runs like this one tonight.”
Anderson felt he had unfinished business with South Alabama Speedway following a 13th place showing in The Rattler back in March.
With a trophy and checkered flag in hand on Saturday, he said redemption had been achieved.
“I feel like we just kind of missed it at The Rattler,” said Anderson. “We came here Thursday and tested. We practiced all day Friday and were able to get the job done. It feels really great to get a win here at South Alabama.”