Thurman Thomas Racing Sets Debut For August at Lake Erie

Orlando, Fla. (June 25, 2003) – Retired Buffalo Bills future Hall of Fame running
back Thurman Thomas is racing into the world of motorsports as the team owner
of  Thurman  Thomas  Racing. The  team  has  hired  20-year-old  rookie  sensation
Tim Russell, of Apopka, Fla., and plans to make their racing debut in August in
the American Speed Association (ASA). Thurman Thomas Racing will compete
in the remainder of the 2003 season and race a full schedule in 2004.

“I will be putting the same energy that I gave on the field during my NFL career
into this race car team,” Thomas stated. “We have an amazing team and I can’t
wait until we compete in our first race in Erie, Pennsylvania.”

Russell began his young racing career in 1996 in the quarter midgets where he
won more than half of his races in his first four years. In 2001, he advanced to
super stocks, where he ran 14 races and achieved two feature wins, eight top-
five finishes and won Rookie of the Year honors. In 2002, he ran 13 late model
races, winning four and garnering two second-place finishes and two third-place
finishes.

“I am so excited to be a part of Thurman Thomas Racing,” Russell said. “I am
confident that we will become one of the top ASA teams.”

Tim  continues  to  race  late  models  in  2003  and  won  his  first  World  Series  of
Asphalt at New Smyrna Speedway. He has also added two feature victories and
three  top-five  finishes  to  his  collection.  Russell  and  the  team  have  also  been
testing the car that he will be using in the ASA races.

The American Speed Association (ASA) is in its 36th year as the premier short
track  series,  offering  bumper-to-bumper  racing  for  its  spectators.  Serving  as  a
feeder series for many of NASCAR’s finest such as Rusty Wallace and Jimmie
Johnson, the series continues to grow with 17 races slated for 2003, 16 of which
are being aired live on the PEE Channel.