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Clash PR
MADISON, N.C. (March 27) - Austin Dillon in his black #3 was able to bring home his first ever Carolina Clash victory Saturday evening at 311 Fastrack in Madison, NC. The race was his second of the day as Dillon also ran in the Camping World Truck Series race in Martinsville, VA earlier in the day. "I'm very happy about our win tonight, it's redemption for our day at Martinsville" said Dillon in victory lane. This was the second race of the year for the Carolina Clash Series and the second first time winner of the year.
When the green flag was dropped over the 24 car starting field, it was Dillon taking the early lead with the other 23 cars behind him running two and three wide fighting for position. 5 cautions slowed the race during the first 11 laps of the main event with problems for the #14 of David Taylor, last week's winner Dean Bowen in his #15 machine, the #44 of Justin Labonte, and the #22 of Chris Ferguson. On the restart on lap 11, the #31 of Billy Thompson and the #87 of Ross Bailes tangled coming to the green and both cars went spinning uncontrollably into the inside wall. Both cars were able to continue but Bailes would drop out of the race on lap 30. Through all the early cautions, Dillon was able to fend off the threats presented to him by the rest of the field.
During the first part of the race, nearly everyone from 2nd place on back was two wide fighting tooth and nail for each position on the track. Jeff Smith was showing the competition around the track on the high side during the early portion of the feature.
The race was red flagged on lap 14 when a car 4 car pileup in the between the turns of 1 and 2 blocked the entire track. Involved in the accident was the #17 of Tim Allen, the #84 of Jay Sessoms, the #6 of Chris Blackwell, and the #25 of Shawn Beasley. Allen's car was brought into the pits on the hook with major frontend damage while the other three racers were able to continue. Two laps later, Sessoms spun again in turn 4 bringing out the caution. Under caution last week's winner, Bowen pulled behind the wall, ending his racing night.
Chris Ferguson was on the move after bringing out an early caution on lap 11. Ferguson restarted the race in the 21st position and by lap 16 he was already running in the 9th position. In just 5 laps, Ferguson was able to pass 12 cars utilizing both the high and low sides of the ultra fast 311 Speedway.
On the final restart of the night on lap 30, Dillon was able to pull out to a small lead over Weeks and the two would fight back and forth for the top spot for the next 7 laps keeping the fans on the edge of their seats. When the checkered flag flew, it was Dillon coming home with the victory followed by Weeks in his Starrette Trucking and Parton Lumber sponsored machine. 3rd place was the #18m of Jeff Smith in his Menscer Motorsports and Star Leasing sponsored Rocket chassis. 4th was the #12 of Jordan Bland in his Bland Motorsports Bloomquist chassis. 5th was the #22 of Chris Ferguson in his Carver and Sons Roofing sponsored Rocket chassis.
With 35 cars showing up, the Carolina Clash officials elected to run 3 heat races. The first heat race saw Dennis Franklin lead all 8 laps in route to the win followed by the #17 of Timmy Blackwell, 3rd was the #33 of Chris Meadows, and 4th was the #D8 of Dustin Mitchell.
The second heat race saw the #9 of Ken Schrader leading flag to flag. 2nd was the #6 of Chris Blackwell, 3rd was the #39 of Steve Blackburn, and 4th was the #87 of Ross Bailes.
The third and final heat race saw the #84 of Jay Sessoms lead from start to finish in route to the win. 2nd was the #31 of Billy Thompson, 3rd was the #17 of Tim Allen, and 4th was the #14 of David Taylor.
Setting fast time during qualifying was the #54 of Ricky Weeks with a time of 15.545 and second fastest was the #3 of Austin Dillon with a time of 15.725.
Official results of the Carolina Clash Super Late Model race held at 311 Fastrack in Madison, NC, March 27.
Finish Starting Position
1. Austin Dillon (2)
2. Ricky Weeks (1)
3. Jeff Smith (3)
4 Jordan Bland (10)
5. Chris Ferguson (4)
6. Ken Schrader (12)
7. Jay Sessoms (13)
8. Billy Thompson (16)
9. Chris Blackwell (15)
10. David Taylor (22)
11. Dustin Mitchell (20)
12. Justin Labonte (8)
13. Craig Shuffield (24)
14. Steve Blackburn (18)
15. Ross Bailes (21)
16. Donald Bradsher (9)
17. Chris Meadows (17)
18 Dennis Franklin (11)
19 Dean Bowen (5)
20. Tim Allen (19)
21. Shawn Beasley (7)
22. Timmy Blackwell (14)
23. Kenny Compton (6)
24. Luke Roffers (23)
Fastest Qualifier : Ricky Weeks
Heat Race #1 (Top 4) Dennis Franklin, Timmy Blackwell, Chris Meadows, Dustin Mitchell
Heat Race #2 (Top 4) Ken Schrader, Chris Blackwell, Steve Blackburn, Ross Bailes
Heat Race #3 (Top 4) Jay Sessoms, Billy Thompson, Tim Allen, David Taylor
Main Event Lap Leaders : Lap 1 - 40 : Car # 3 Austin Dillon
Race Winners starting position - 2nd
Hard Charger Award - Car # 14 David Taylor : Advanced 12 positions
Hard Luck Award - Car # 10 Kenny Compton
The Carolina Clash resumes action on Saturday April 10th at Fayetteville Motor Speedway in Fayetteville, NC for a 40 lap $4,000 to win race. This race will be the Ed Gibbons Memorial. Dennis "Rambo" Franklin won the Ed Gibbons Memorial in the 2009 season ahead of Ricky Weeks, Jeff Smith, Ray Tucker, and Tim Allen. Justin Labonte was the fastest Qualifier.
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