Russ Evans made lifetime member of racing club

Receiving the honor from owner Bill Neal, Russ Evans (left) is presented an award naming him a lifetime member of 10/10ths Motorsports recently. Evans was recognized for his longtime part in safety at Putnam Park Road Course.

Banner Graphic/BRAND SELVIA

MOUNT MERIDIAN — Known notably for his work in local politics over the years, it may or may not be surprising that Russ Evans is a racing fan. More evidently, road course racing.

When the final car of the day went around on June 25, it also concluded Evans’ last day as a corner worker at Putnam Park Road Course. With his 21 years as such, he made an impact ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

So it was goodwill at the course recently, after another day of racing concluded, as Evans was honored to be a lifetime member of 10/10ths Motorsports. The award denoted appreciation for the role he played, particularly in Turn 7.

“Turn 7 is one of the tougher corners at this track,” 10/10ths inspector Dale Grave said with Evans beside, noting that it sees much action and black flagging. “As a corner worker, I appreciate the job that Russ did out here for us very much.”

Grave began his own stint as a corner worker the year after Evans. Evans’ tenure began back in the summer of 2002, when he expressed interest to another individual already working as one.

Being hired almost immediately, Evans started, he said, by “bouncing around” the different corners in his first few years working at the course. He eventually settled in Turn 7 and embodied that role.

“You carry a lot of speed through Turn 5, still in Turn 6, and Turn 7 is a real sharp turn,” Evans said, and to why Turn 7 is territory for black flags, when cars that go off the course get re-inspected. “You gotta slow down, get on the brakes.”

Along with some nasty wrecks, corner workers will also clean up a 100-yard oil streak, while there could be a hurricane on a later day. But there have been many good moments, no less meeting the likes of Kyle Busch and Al Unser Jr.

Evans gets a picture with famed open-wheel racer Al Unser Jr. during a session at the course in 2021.

Courtesy photo

Being a corner worker, he related, one just gets a gut feeling, or develops a sixth sense, that someone will miss a turn. Ultimately, constant communication is key.

“It’s well organized and well executed,” Evans said. “Two of the rules are, you don’t say ‘red’ and you don’t say ‘dead.’ You gotta learn the vocabulary. You really gotta keep your head on the swivel.”

In spite of the stress and vigilance, being a corner worker has been “a lot of fun” for Evans. When the green flag drops, it’s all serious. The drivers, he related, appreciate a well-oiled machine.

“Those guys are depending on you to save their butts if something happens,” Evans summed up. The award made apparent how he has contributed to that well-oiled machine at Putnam Park.