Carolina Clash Series
July 12, 2012
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Luke Roffers Leads Carolina Clash 2012 Regular Season Point Standings at Halfway Point
Richburg, South Carolina's I-77 Speedway (at I-77 Exit 65) is Newest Stop for Carolina Clash Teams with a $4,000 Show on July 14, 2012

Carolina Clash PR
Concord, NC driver Luke Roffers, who has captured two checkered-flags this season, is looking forward to the second half of the season with great expectations. However, he plans to keep his focus on each individual race, especially given that the next track on the schedule is one that he has completed few laps on. It has been nearly six years since Roffers raced at I-77 Speedway.

The next event for the Carolina Clash (#6) takes the competitors to I-77 Speedway in Richburg, SC for a 40-lap, $4000 to win race. This will be the first ever visit by Carolina Clash to this 33-year old facility in Chester County, South Carolina. It will be tough to predict the winner of this race, as many Clash regulars have raced hundreds of laps there. Two-time defending champion "Rambo" Dennis Franklin has already picked up two wins in the NDRA Crate Late Model series in the Steve Cooke owned #27C. He won the NDRA "Road Show" on May 12 and the "Pete Mosley Memorial Race" on June 2.

"We are coming loaded for bear!" Rambo stated Wednesday.

Other drivers who have competed there recently with NDRA are Jeff Smith and Jay Sessoms, who has also raced at I-77 in a Limited Late Model during the 2000s, along with Ross Bailes and John & Johnny Pursley. Each has earned wins there in the past, as well as track championships. The senior Pursley has more laps and wins recorded there than most active drivers in late models (limited and crate). Ross Bailes has recently picked up wins there in the weekly NDRA Crate division in a car owned by John Page of Rock Hill, SC. However, it will be the first visit by many drivers running in the top ten in points and should be a thriller of a show.

Track promoters Darrell "Squeak" Trull and Melissa Ervin, or Fort Mill, SC, stated that 2012 has been a very successful season thus far in their inaugural campaign as track operators. "We feel that this event will be the perfect way to usher in the second-half of our racing season. This will be the 'icing on the cake,' so to speak. We are very excited!"

The Carolina Clash has competed at 26 different venues over the previous 12 years of the series and this will mark the 27th different track visited on the tour since 2000. 54 different drivers have series wins and the I-77 event could crown winner #55!

Clash Drivers Excited About Next Event

2009 series champion Jeff Smith, of Dallas, NC and runner-up in the point standings, is looking forward to coming back after several regular season I-77 weekly visits - "if they have the track prepared the way it was the last time I was there with the crate car, it should be a heck of a race." Smith won the second race of the season at 311 Speedway.

Mike Gault of Gaffney, SC is very enthusiastic about returning to I-77 Speedway, carrying a charge of momentum after his "Hard-Charger" performance at Fayetteville, as he confirmed his intent to enter the race.

Travis Yow, currently 7th in the standings, will come to I-77 for his first ever visit.

"I'm excited to make the trip to yet another new track and will hopefully end the evening with forward momentum that may follow us into the remaining races," Yow alluded.

2012 series rookie leader Michael Marlowe, of Nichols, SC, is also planning on a trip to I-77 for his first visit; "We just got the car back from Rocket early (Wednesday) morning. After the wreck at Fayetteville, I had to have the front clipped on the car. We are working hard to get it painted and bolted together. I have never been to I-77 Speedway before and with a new style car I've never driven before, it will make for an interesting weekend!"

Yow, Gault, and Marlowe are each seeking their first series win with Carolina Clash.

About I-77 Speedway

The 33-year old I-77 Speedway is a 4/10 mile semi-banked oval located in (Chester County) Richburg, South Carolina on SC Hwy. 9, exit 65 off I-77. From the interstate, travel north on SC Hwy 9 toward Chester for approximately one mile and the track is located on the right. Rig/truck parking for Carolina Clash teams will be in the parking area located on the back of the speedway.

Built in 1980 by the late(s) Chester, SC business family - Mr. Paul and Mrs. Edith Campbell - the I-77 Speedway of Richburg, SC features weekly racing with NDRA GM Performance "Crate" Late Models competing on Goodyear tires. They will run for $1200 to win and will qualify for starting positions. Other divisions on the card for July 14 include Super Street Stock for $600 to win, Renegade (street stock 8) for $500 to win, Semi-Modified Four Cylinders for $500 to win, and Crate Sportsman for $600 to win. Rules and information can be obtained by visiting www.i77speedwayracing.com

Grandstand admission is $20 for the event and pit admission is $30. All Carolina Clash teams will be parked behind the backstretch.

There are five hotels located on exit 65 at I-77 along SC Hwy. 9: Comfort Inn, Super 8, Days Inn, Econo Lodge, Relax Inn.

Also, a 24-hour restaurant, "The Country Omelet" is a favorite post-race stop for fans and race teams for an excellent meal and fellowship for the ride home. Visit their website at http://www.countryomelet.com/