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Clash PR
HARTWELL, Ga. (May 31) - The Carolina 'bad boys' came calling and train stopped them in their tracks! Benji Cole from nearby Cannon, GA used his extensive Hartwell Speedway knowledge to capture his first Carolina Clash victory of the season Saturday night at Hartwell Speedway.
For the first time in series history the nine year old tour visited Marty Lance's Hartwell Speedway for the $4,000 to win main event. 30 Carolina Clash Super Late Models signed in with Dennis 'Rambo' Franklin capturing the pole for the 40 lapper in Mega Plumbing of the Carolina's qualifying.
As the green flag waved Franklin jumped out the early lead with Frankie Beard and Cole in tow. Several early cautions kept the field in check and allowed all the leaders to stay within striking distance of Franklin. Two Carolina Clash standouts; Ricky Weeks and Jeff Smith were making some early noise as they attempted to race into the top five from deep in the field.
As the laps began to click off Cole started to put some heavy pressure on Beard for second. The 'Coletrane' was able to slip by Beard for the runner-up spot near halfway and then set his sights on Franklin for the lead. Franklin was in search of his fourth checkered flag of the season and was also looking to pad his early season points lead on Weeks.
Another caution just past the halfway mark allowed Cole to restart from Franklin's rear bumper. After stalking the popular Gaffney, SC resident Cole was able to make the winning move as he slid under 'Rambo' exiting turn four with 12 laps to go.
Once out front Cole drove his Cape Farms/Rock Hill Farms/Swiftco Motorsports/Kenner Construction/Turner Recycling/Swift Springs/Dirtwrap/Russell Baker Engines/DWB Chassis away to a very popular victory. Franklin, Beard, Deano Long and Ed Gibbons rounded out the top five. Sixth through tenth went to Jeff Smith, Ricky Weeks, Casey Roberts, Bob Robertson and Scott Neighbors.
"The first part of the race my car was not that good," said the happy winner. "But as the race went on it really came to me. Being able to win in front of my home crowd means the world", said Cole who been attending races at Hartwell all his life. "All my family is here, my kids, my dad everybody. We race on the road so much that they don't get to see us race that often so to win here is extra special."
This weekend June 6 and 7 the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series will hold a pair of 40 lap $4,000 to win main events at Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, NC on Friday night and Lancaster Speedway in Lancaster, SC on Saturday night.
CAROLINA CLASH FINISH 1. Benji Cole 2. Dennis Franklin 3. Frankie Beard 4. Deano Long 5. Ed Gibbons 6. Jeff Smith 7. Ricky Weeks 8. Casey Roberts 9. Bob Robertson 10. Scott Neighbors 11. Doug Sanders 12. Dion Deason 13. Anthony Sanders 14.Bruce Taylor 15. Furman Parton 16. Ethan Hunter 17. Larry Timms 18. Casey Barrow 19. John Henderson 20. David Smith 21. Jonathan Davenport 22. Mike Akeson 23. Chesley Dixon 24. Craig Shuffield DNS: Darryl Freeman, Brent Dixon, Ted Crumpton, Jimmy Ivester, Scott Shirey
Race results for the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series at Hartwell Speedway.
A total of 29 Super Late Model Drivers signed in to compete for the Trophy and the 4,000 dollar Payday.
Here are the results:
Finish Car# Drivers Name
1. 121 Benji Cole
2. 2 Dennis Franklin
3. F21 Frankie Beard
4. 95 Deamo Long
5. 07 Ed Gibbons
6. 70 Jeff Smith
7. 25 Ricky Weeks
8. 101 Casey Roberts
9. 14 Bob Robertson
10. 5 Scott Neighbors
11. 42 Doug Sanders
12. D1 Dion Deason
13. 421 Anthony Sanders
14. 8 Bruce Taylor
15. 6p Furman Parton
16. 101 Ethan Hunter
17. 07 Larry Timms
18. 98 Casey Barrow
19. 2x John Henderson
20. 2 David Smith
21. 75 Jonathan Davenport
22. M31 Michael Akeson
23. 3 Chesley Dixon
24. 360 Craig Shuffield
These cars did not qualify for the feature:
F1 Darryl Freeman
1D Brent Dixon
95 Ted Crumpton
A1 Jimmy Ivester
10 Scott Shirey
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