Lake View Motor Speedway
Shrine 100 gives Bailes first Carolina Clash victory
Ross Bailes enjoys victory lane at Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, N.C. (Gary Laster)
GASTONIA, N.C. (Aug. 9) — Third-starting Ross Bailes of Clover, S.C., led all the way Tuesday at Carolina Speedway for a $3,000 victory in the 39th annual Shrine 100, capturing his first career Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series victory.
“This is another huge win for us. Carolina is home for my team and I," Bailes said after his third career Super Late Model victory. "We have so many people here that have helped me and support our team. This one is really special. I need to thank Bobby and Johnny Wilson for allowing me to drive their car. And I want to thank all of our sponsors and my family for their support. This is just a great night.” | Slideshow
While Bailes was slated to start third, several failed attempts to start the race — including a pair of tangles among front-row starters Luke Roffers and Tim Allen — forced officials to go with a single-file start.
Bailes jumped into the lead at the outset and went on to lead the entire caution-plagued main event at the 4/10-mile oval. Kennie Compton Jr. of Bland, Va., finished second followed by Jay Sessoms of Stanley, N.C. Former race winner Ricky Week of Rutherfordton, N.C., was fourth and Chad Paxton of Troutman, N.C., rounded out the top five. Carolina Clash points leader Dennis Franklin of Gaffney, S.C., finished sixth.
Notes: Bailes drives MasterSbilt Race Car with a Clements Race Engine and sponsorship from Professional Restoration, Felony Farms, Bailes Construction, Carolina Fire and Security, KELCAR Motorsports and Swiftco Supply. ... Bailes also won the 31st annual Laurens County Shrine race June 14 at Laurens County (S.C.) Speedway. ... Ron Parker of Belwood, N.C., won the NDRA-sanctioned Crate Late Model feature; NASCAR driver David Ragan was fourth. ... The track drew more than 100 race cars for the five-division program. ... The event is a fund-raiser for the Gaston County Shrine Club. ... Next up for the Carolina Clash is a $4,000-to-win event Aug. 13 at Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat, Va., the last race before the playoff-style Countdown to the Cup postseason.
Shrine 100: (1) Ross Bailes, (2) Kennie Compton Jr., (3) Jay Sessoms, (4) Ricky Weeks, (5) Chad Paxton, (6) Dennis Franklin (7) Scott Autry, (8) Mike Gault, (9) Doug Sanders, (10) Luke Roffers, (11) Jeff Smith, (12) Dane Burns, (13) Dustin Mitchell, (14) David Taylor, (15) Justin Labonte, (16) Kyle Pierce, (17) Craig Shuffield, (18) Travis Yow, (19) Robbie Bailey, (20) Donald Bradsher, (21) Tim Allen, (22) Anthony Sanders, (23) Chris Ferguson, (24) Jim Shuffiled. Fast qualifier (among 24 cars): Roffers, 16.389 seconds.
