Cole Anderson scores Pro Late Model win with ATF & Gunslinger at New Smyrna Speedway’s World Series

Twenty-year-old Cole Anderson scored his first win of the 2018 World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing on Saturday night at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway while racing the No. 97 TimberwolfPlastics.com Toyota Camry. Racing with ATF & Gunslinger, the Minnesota native has been working closely with proven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series veterans Mike Skinner and Rick Crawford to accelerate his learning curve, while gaining track time and honing his skills at the annual racing series that attracts up-and-coming talent from across the country.
 
“I can’t thank everyone at ATF & Gunslinger enough,” said Anderson. “I’m really excited to get to Victory Lane with Andrew [Franzone], Mike [Skinner] and Rick [Crawford]. Dustin [Skinner, crew chief] and the ATF & Gunslinger team worked hard to give me a great car tonight. I had Rick up on the spotter’s stand keeping me calm and focused during the race, and Mike racing me on the track-between the two of them, they’ve really helped speed up my learning curve. We did some work on our late-race strategy and that really paid off tonight.”
 
Marking Cole’s fifth career win at New Smyrna Speedway in pro late model and super late model competition, including his second in a Pro Late Model Speedweeks’ event, Anderson took Saturday night’s win in dominate fashion. After qualifying on the pole, the field was inverted resulting in an eighth-place starting position for Anderson in the 35-lap feature. Falling as low at the 10th position in a caution filled race, Anderson had to avoid the on-track melee while climbing his way back up the leaderboard. Taking the lead on lap 14, Anderson remained in the point position until the checkered flag waved.
 
“I couldn’t be happier with the job that Cole Anderson and the team did tonight,” said Skinner. “On a personal level, I’m really proud of my son, Dustin Skinner, who has stepped up to lead this team for Cole and ATF & Gunslinger. This will be a great start for them as they kick off not only Speedweeks, but their entire 2018 schedule together. I’ve had a decent career and I’ve had a lot of fun over the years, so to be able to be a part of this and watch my son and his driver grow and succeed as racers, leaders and professionals, means so much to me now.”
 
In 2018, Anderson will be behind the wheel of the No. 97 Toyota Camry in pro late model and super late model competition across the southeast.
 
“It’s fun to develop young drivers when you’re surrounded by good people, a good owner, and a good team that puts a fast racecar on the track for these youngsters like we did today,” said Crawford. “Cole Anderson is one of the next up-and-coming drivers that’s probably looking forward to a career in NASCAR’s top divisions. Right now, he’s a winner at New Smyrna in the World Series of Racing, and I’m really glad that I could be a part of that.”
 
For more information about Cole Anderson, visit ColeAndersonRacing.com
 
Cole Anderson PR