Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series
Cherokee Speedway
May 9, 2015
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Ferguson stays hot with Carolina Clash Series win at Cherokee Speedway

by Mark Huey
GAFFNEY, SC (May 9) - It took one lap for Josh Langley to turn many heads last night at Cherokee Speedway. The head-turning did not last for just one lap either. He had all eyes on #7 as he circled the 4/10 mile oval at the Cherokee Speedway Saturday night for 36 laps as the race leader. Like a pot of water on high heat, the pressure would eventually lead to a boil over. Given the fact that the heat was turned up a few degrees when he and Langley Collision Center teammate Chris Ferguson tightened the gap once the race passed halfway. Ferguson, who started on the outside front row with Langley, raced conservatively during the first half of the race to give Langley a comfortable advantage. With the two cars at a lengthy distance from third-place running Ross Bailes, who debuted a brand new race car this weekend, it was evident that Langley's car was beginning to tighten up. Langley was not able to maneuver the corners with the same level of ease in the final eight laps as they worked the tail of the field.

Ferguson tried several times to pass Langley on the inside, but saw the perfect chance on lap 36 as he powered around the outside to snag the lead for the final four laps.  

"Man, after (Screven) last week, the ride home was silent. We were about as frustrated as we could be given we were not running any better than we were," said Langley from the front-stretch, obviously disappointed to lose the lead in the final laps.

"I had to finish the race tonight without right-front brakes and that really made me have to slow my entrances down. I held him off as long as I could. All I got to say is that my race team is awesome. They worked on this car every night this week trying to get ready for this race."

Langley had his hands full as his car nearly lost control in the corners several times in the last three laps. At that point, Ross Bailes had caught up to the #7 Langley Collision Center Longhorn. Bailes made a few pass attempts in the Bailes Construction and Wesley Page Racing Shocks entry in the famous Bailes #87. By then, Ferguson had cleared lapped traffic en route to this third win in two-weeks. Ferguson climbed from his Live Oaks Dentistry, Keith's Handyman Service #22 and celebrated in from of his home-crowd atop his car.

"This is kinda my home track given that we did so much racing here when I got started. It really is nice to win here and to celebrate our recent success with my home fans."

Ferguson complimented Josh Langley on his efforts in the front-stretch interview.

"Josh drove one heck of a race. I mean he raced the traffic great and never missed his marks. I knew that something was going on in those last few laps and I knew the pack was catching up. I had to make that outside move given that we were racing with the cars at the back of the field. I just can't say enough about Clements horsepower and this race car is awesome. My family and crew works hard to put us here."

Ferguson also celebrated Mother's Day weekend with a celebratory hug from his mother Allison. The win made Ferguson the 10th Carolina Clash winner in 11 series races all-time at the Cherokee Speedway.

Ross Bailes had a successful return to his family-owned #87 with a solid third place finish. Rock Hill, SC driver and point leader added to his point lead with a solid fourth-place run. Watkins is also the leading driver in the Renegade Race Fuels and Racing Lubricants Rookie of the Year battle for the 2015 season.

Veteran Gaffney, SC driver Chris Madden was the Safety-Kleen Hard Charger of the Race, moving up from his ninth place starting spot to score a top five finish. He was piloting the Crowder Trucking #6 ride that he has driven off and on during his career.

Zack Mitchell, Tim Allen, Johnny Pursley, Scott Shirey and Joey Coulter were among the Carolina Clash regulars who rounded out the top-ten.

Heintz Performance owner Mr. Steve Heintz awards the Hard Luck award each week of $100 Heintz Bucks to spend at his racing supply store. Anthony Sanders was awarded the credit this week after experiencing a major engine failure during the hot laps of the Cherokee event.

Riley Hickman of Ooltewah, Tennessee made the long-trip down to join the Clash event, but was late arriving. On the first lap of his qualifying effort, he lost control of the #R1 and smacked the wall in turn one. He loaded up and left shortly after.

Many thanks to the staff of Cherokee Speedway for hosting the Carolina Clash this past weekend. The track was in great condition and was very fast. Several track records were broken in the support classes. The super late model track record of 14.813 was threatened by Langley who recorded the fastest lap of 14.945. Ferguson plotted a lap of 14.990, setting up the Team Langley-Ferguson front row. Ferguson chose the inside lane, which proved to be the best line as he took the lead on two start attempts to turn two.

The next stop for the Carolina Clash is round #3 of the Carolinas-Tennessee Clash at the Gap in Bulls Gap, TN. The race will be held on Memorial Day weekend on May 23, 2015.

Rock Hill, SC Ben Watkins padded his Carolina Clash points lead over Doug Sanders and now leads by 64 points going into the Bulls Gap event. Kevin Wilson remains third, while Chris Ferguson jumped up to the fourth points position, the only Clash competitor with two wins on the season. Anthony Sanders left the track after hotlaps to pick up a Doug Sanders spare car and returned to run the event. He is currently fifth in points.

The Carolina Clash would like to welcome Ed and Kelli Cox of Tri-Star Racewear to the Carolina Clash team. They were at the Cherokee event Saturday and are making plans to award the series champion with a new racing suit, valued at over $1200.

A-Main    
1 2 22 Chris Ferguson Mount Holly, NC (40)
2 1 7 Josh Langley Lancaster, SC (40)
3 4 87 Ross Bailes Clover, SC (40)
4 3 16 Ben Watkins Rock Hill, SC (40)
5 9 6 Chris Madden Gray Court, SC (40)
6 8 57 Zack Mitchell Princeton, NC (40)
7 5 17 Tim Allen Kannapolis, NC (40)
8 7 09 Johnny Pursley Clover, SC (40)
9 11 10x Scott Shirey Swansea, SC (40)
10 6 2 Joey Coulter Charlotte, NC (40)
11 13 72 Robbie Bailey Mooresville, NC (40)
12 14 618 Kevin Wilson Stoneville, NC (39)
13 15 G2 Kevin Godwin Blythewood, SC (39)
14 18 1D Doug Davis Shelby, NC (21)
15 12 00 Carson Ferguson Charlotte, NC (19)
16 10 42 Doug Sanders Springwood, NC (16)
17 17 421 Anthony Sanders Spartanburg, SC (4)
18 16 4 Jonathan Warlick Lincolnton, NC (2)

Qualifying Results    
1 7 Josh Langley Lancaster, SC 14.945
2 22 Chris Ferguson Mount Holly, NC 14.990
3 16 Ben Watkins Rock Hill, SC 15.284
4 87 Ross Bailes Clover, SC 15.382
5 17 Tim Allen Kannapolis, NC 15.531
6 2 Joey Coulter Charlotte, NC 15.543
7 09 Johnny Pursley Clover, SC 15.579
8 57 Zack Mitchell Princeton, NC 15.633
9 6 Chris Madden Gray Court, SC 15.672
10 42 Doug Sanders Springwood, NC 16.084
11 10x Scott Shirey Swansea, SC 16.087
12 00 Carson Ferguson Charlotte, NC 16.087
13 618 Kevin Wilson Stoneville, NC 16.151
14 72 Robbie Bailey Mooresville, NC 16.217
15 G2 Kevin Godwin Blythewood, SC 16.795
16 4 Jonathan Warlick Lincolnton, NC 17.369