Special to The Tribune
Friendship Motor Speedway in Elkin held its 10th race of the season on Saturday as the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series rolled into town with a $4,000 winners prize.
A long night of racing action was in store for those who came, with rain plaguing the 0.4-mile dirt oval for a few minutes early on throwing the events behind. There were no regrets from fans as they left happy early Sunday morning after seeing the real thrill of dirt track racing.
Along with the Carolina Clash, this week featured four of Friendship’s regular divisions, which are known as the GM Direct Automotive NDRA Pro Late Models, Southeastern Cars & Parts Limited Sportsman, Coffee House Waffle Shop Four Cylinders, and the Hill Top Trading Post Donald’s Automotive U-Car division.
In the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series special, as the field took the green flag, five-time defending series champion Ricky Weeks of Rutherfordton took the lead from his pole starting position.
Weeks led the first 10 laps of the 40-lap main event as five cautions slowed the race pace down. Just after a restart, Tim Allen of Kannapolis made a charge from his fourth starting position to take over the top spot and never looked back again, as he led the remaining 29 laps.
Weeks finished second along with Jeff Smith of Dallas in third, Dave Burns in fourth, and Dennis “Rambo” Franklin in fifth.
In the GM Direct Automotive NDRA Pro Late Model event, Kent Peckham of Statesville returned to Friendship this week to finally get that monkey off his back and pick up a much worked for feature win. He had finished second three times this season out of the first six point races.
Brian Nance of Ronda would have a close battle with Peckham throughout the event but just wouldn’t have enough to get past him for the lead but would cruise home in second with a strong finish.
Three time season winner Noel Tucker of Pilot Mountain finished in third holding off Winky McGee, who would finish in fourth. Jimmy Watson would show to have a great run this week as he would finish in fifth.
In the Southeastern Cars & Parts Limited Sportsman race, last week’s feature winner Daniel Moss of Elk Creek, Va. would kick off the green flag along side Richard Clew. Clew would get out to an early lead and have a mirror full of Moss for several laps.
As the laps wound down, it would be Ronda’s Brian Nance pulling double duty and challenging for that win as he would go to second by Moss. Nance would come up just short of a win yet again as Harmony’s Richard Clew would cruise to win number one this season after also finishing second three times this season.
Brian Nance finished a really strong second over Daniel Moss in third. Fourth went to Nathan Walker making his season debut while fifth went to none other than Friendship regular Tony Lowe.
In the Coffee House Waffle Shop Four Cylinders, this was one exciting race to see as Evan Benton and Billy Robbins battled for the win in the closing laps.
One would look high and the other low back and fourth several times until that white flag waved for one lap to go. Coming off turn two on the last lap Robbins and Benton rubbed fenders just enough to allow Robbie Brown to come from no mans land and score the victory while just leading the last half a lap.
Evan Benton came off turn four to claim second while Billy Robbins scored third. Junior Welborn would finish fourth while Jerry Cook would bring it home in fifth.
In the Hill Top Trading Post Donald’s Automotive U-Car feature, Travis and Trent Turner put on a show early in the running of the 10- lap feature event.
Both cars had problems and were done for the night, however. Britton Settle took the lead over the Stephanie Clew, and they would have an intense battle all the way to the checkers.
Twelve year old Britton Settle went on on to claim win number three this season.
Current points leader Stephanie Clew proved to be a top contender once again while still chasing down that win with yet another runner up spot this week. Sean Myers brought it home in third after trouble early in his run. Autin Caudle and Elizabeth Bowers finished fourth and fifth.
Congratulations to this week’s feature winners and thanks to all the dirt racing fans, drivers and crewmen for your support as we head into the 11th event of the 2009 racing season at a date to be announced.
Please see the official website of Friendship for the latest and information about our next event (www.friendshipracing.com). Come on out as we would love to have you as part of our dirt racing family.
For more information, complete results, and the latest on the happenings of Friendship Motor Speedway just visit the Web.
Be sure to bring the family, friends, or whatever the case may be to the home of good times and great racing at Friendship Motor Speedway in Elkin.
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