Carolina Clash Super Late Models
311 Speedway
October 8, 2011
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Smith claims Victory in Round 5 of the Chase for the Championship

by Marion Limbaugh
MADISON, N.C. (October 8) - Jeff Smith took the lead on lap 32 and went on to take the $4,000 to win event Saturday night at 311 Speedway. Smith started 5th on the grid and settled into the 4th spot by the completion of lap one. Smith moved up to the third spot on lap 3 as he made the pass on points leader Dennis Franklin. On lap 17 Smith made the move up to second when pole sitter Kenny Compton Jr went pitside. Smith moved passed Luke Roffers on lap 32 and lead the remaining 8 laps en-route to his first Carolina Clash victory of the season. It was Smith's 2nd victory of the weekend as he picked up the win in the NDRA crate event the previous night at Carolina Speedway.

Points leader Dennis "Rambo" Franklin had his woes as he had to go pitside on lap 17 with a flat tire. Franklin's crew quickly put on a new American Racer and Franklin rejoined the field without losing a lap. Rambo marched steadily through the field taking advantage of the deleware double file restarts and made it back into the top 5 by race end.

Kenny Compton Jr Set the XS Power Racing Batteries fast time in Qualifying . Compton turned in a lap of 15.946 to earn the pole position for the main event. While running second, Compton ran over debris which caused heavy damage to the rear-end of his machine sending him behind the wall for repairs. Compton was able to make repairs and return to the field a few laps later. Compton made as many laps as possible before race end and salvaged a 15th place finish. Compton lost valuable points to Franklin but was able to hold onto 2nd place in Chase points.

Luke Roffers was the second fastest qualifier and took the lead from the drop of the green. Roffers appeared to be unbeatable as he dominated the first half of the race. Roffers came into the race third in Chase points and only 7 points ahead of Jeff Smith. Smith's win moved him 3 points ahead of Roffers. Both Roffers and Smith closed the gap on 2nd place Compton and gained points on the Chase points leader Franklin.

Mike Gault and Scott Autry started the night tied for 5th place in Chase points. Autry went pitside on lap 4 with engine troubles ending his night early and Gault started the event in 20th place and battle to a 6th place finish. Gault earned the Safety Kleen Hard Charger of the race as he gained 14 spots during the event.

In the Klotz Lubricants Rookie of the Year battle, Travis Yow has a commanding lead but Yow is also fighting to hold onto eighth in the Chase points and maybe even advance a position. Tim Allen is only 5 points behind Travis and Scott Autry is only 14 points ahead after Yow's 7th place finish Saturday night.

A-Main
1. Jeff Smith (5) Dallas, NC
2. Luke Roffers (2) Concord, NC
3. Dustin Mitchell (8) Pine Level, NC
4 Donald Bradsher (10) Burlington, NC
5. Dennis Franklin (3) Gaffney, SC
6. Mike Gault (20) Gaffney, SC
7. Travis Yow (11) Fayetteville, NC
8. Tim Allen (16) Kannapolis, NC
9. Brain Ledbetter (15) Dallas, NC
10. Kyle Pierce (23) Statesville, NC
11. Chuck Smith (21) Sanford, SC
12. Gary Mabe (14) Danberry, NC
13. David Taylor (17) Fayetteville, NC
14. Ross Bailes (19) Clover, SC
15. Kenny Compton Jr (1) Bland, VA
16. Travis Greer (22) Marion, VA
17. Jay Sessoms (13) Stanley, NC
18. Johnny Pursley (7) Clover, SC
19. Justin Labonte (4) Trinity, NC
20. Ray Tucker (9) My Airy, NC
21. Johnny Stovall (12) Madison, NC
22. Mike Parker (24) Fayetteville, NC
23. Ricky Weeks (18) Rutherfordton, NC
24. Craig Shuffield (25) Fayetteville, NC
25. Scott Autry (6) Fayetteville, NC

JE Pistons Roush/Yates Performance Chase for the Championship Feature Winner - Jeff Smith
Safety Kleen Hard Charger of the Race: (10 pts bonus) Mike Gault
Lap Leaders: Luke Roffers 1-31 Jeff Smith 32-40
XS Power Racing Batteries Fastest Qualifier - Kenny Compton Jr 15.946
Collins Signs First Man out Award (11th place Qualifier) - Travis Yow
Comp Cams Feature Winner - Jeff Smith
Keizer Wheels Runner-Up Award - Luke Roffers
Shell Racing Solutions 3rd Place - Dustin Mitchell
ATL Fuel Cells 4th Place - Donald Bradsher
Cool Shirts Top-5- Jeff Smith, Luke Roffers, Dustin Mitchell, Donald Bradsher, Dennis Franklin
RF Composites 6th Place - Mike Gault
Nascar Technical Institute 10th Place - Kyle Pierce
Klotz Lubricants 15th Place - Kenny Compton Jr
Ohlins Shocks Last but not Least - Scott Autry
Klotz Lubricants Hard Luck Award - Scott Autry
Klotz Lubricants Rookie of the Race - Travis Yow
Collins Trophies Feature Winner - Jeff Smith

Upcoming Carolina Clash Event
October 15 Fayetteville Speedway Fayetteville, NC $4,000 to win

JE Pistons Roush/Yates Performance Parts Chase For the Championship
Dennis Franklin 3848
Kenny Compton Jr 3803
Jeff Smith 3774
Luke Roffers 3771
Mike Gault 3703
Dustin Mitchell 3654
Scott Autry 3643
Travis Yow 3628
Tim Allen 3623
David Taylor 3588
Jay Sessoms 3525
Craig Shuffield 3496
Chad Paxton 3141