Carolina Speedway
Franklin claims Carolina's Skyler Trull Memorial
Dennis Franklin heads for a $5,000 victory. (ZSK Photography)
GASTONIA, N.C. (March 9) — Front-row starter Dennis Franklin of Gaffney, S.C., led every lap of Saturday night’s 13th annual Skyler Trull Memorial main event on his way to claiming a $5,000 victory in Carolina Speedway’s annual fundraising event. | Slideshow
Franklin, a two-time Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series champion, topped fast qualifier Tim Allen of Kannapolis, N.C., in the 50-lapper, earning the 24th Carolina Clash victory of his career in winning the regional tour’s first points race of the 2013 season.
Defending Carolina Clash champion Luke Roffers of Concord, N.C., backed up his 2012 Skyler Trull Memorial victory with a third-place finish in Saturday night’s main event with Ross Bailes of Clover, S.C., fourth and Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga., fifth.
Notes: Franklin’s Barry Wright Race Car is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by AES Racing. ... Franklin claimed three Carolina Clash victories in 2012, with one coming at Carolina Speedway on Aug. 14. ... The annual race honors Skyler Trull, the young Clover, S.C., girl who died of leukemia in 2000, and raises money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. ... Ryan Atkins earned $3,000 in the NDRA Crate Late Model portion of the event. ... Saturday’s Super Late Model feature lineup was set directly from qualifying results. ... Former race winner Chris Ferguson of nearby Mount Holly, N.C., was knocked out of the event after getting caught in a lap-six pileup. ... Chip Brindle of Chatsworth, Ga., finished sixth in the Troy Baird’s Baird Transport entry. ... The Carolina Clash Series returns to action March 23 with a $4,000-to-win event at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
Skyler Trull Memorial: (1) Dennis Franklin, (2) Tim Allen, (3) Luke Roffers, (4) Ross Bailes, (5) Casey Roberts, (6) Chip Brindle, (7) Johnny Pursley, (8) Ricky Weeks, (9) Damon Kotke, (10) Doug Sanders, (11) Michael Marlow, (12) Brian Ledbetter, (13) David Yandle, (14) Mike Gault, (15) Dustin Mitchell, (16) Chris Ferguson, (17) Wayne Hughes, (18) Richard Clew, (19) John Pursley, (20) Kyle Pierce, (21) Joe Krcelich, (22) Robby Bailey, (23) Randy Harmon. Fast qualifier (among 23 cars): Allen.
