311 Motor Speedway
Davenport rolls on, dials up Clash victory at 311
Jonathan Davenport celebrates with AES Racing team owner Steve Cooke. (focusedonracing.com)
MADISON, N.C. (April 6) — Jonathan Davenport kept his hot streak rolling another week with a $4,000 victory in Saturday night’s Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series event at 311 Motor Speedway.
Fresh off a $30,000 victory in March 30’s Carolina Crown at Lancaster (S.C.) Speedway, Davenport overtook polesitter Kennie Compton Jr. of Bland, Va., midway through Saturday’s 40-lapper and led the remaining distance for his fourth consecutive victory in Super Late Model action. | Slideshow
Davenport stretched his lead through the second half of the race, crossing the finish line by nearly a half-track margin as he claimed the fourth series victory of his career and first since 2008.
"I cannot thank Ohlins Shocks enough for their support and the way this thing is able to hook to the ground," Davenport said. "I think we have found something here. I just can't thank all my sponsors and race team enough for their hard work and support."
Five-time series champion Ricky Weeks of Rutherfordton, N.C., finished second ahead of and reigning champion Luke Roffers of Concord, N.C. Ross Bailes of Clover, S.C., and series points leader Dennis Franklin of Gaffney, S.C., advanced from eighth and 10th respectively to round out the top five finishers in the caution-plagued 40-lapper.
Compton ended up 14th in the final rundown after dropping out of the race with a broken driveshaft.
Early action saw tight racing through the field as a series of cautions slowed the way. Each yellow flags were for Michael Marlowe’s single-car wreck on the backstretch, and Tim Allen's mechanical troubles on a lap-six restart.
A massive seven-car pileup caused a lengthy delay and ended the race for Wayne Hughes, Damon Kotke and Bubba McGee.
Notes: Davenport’s AES Racing Barry Wright Race Car is sponsored by En Compass Solutions, Mega Plumbing and Mega Electric, Ohlins Shocks and Hoosier Tire. ... The race took approximately 45 minutes to complete. ... The night came to an early end for Steve Shaver of Vienna, W.Va., after he grabbed the wall coming to the green flag during his qualifying run. ... Dustin Mitchell ran as high as second before pitting late in the race. ... Johnny Pursley rallied to a seventh-place finish after using a provisional to start the race. ... The series made its first of three 2013 stops at the 311. ... Up next for the Carolina Clash is a May 3 visit to Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, N.C.
Carolina Clash @ 311: (1) Jonathan Davenport, (2) Ricky Weeks, (3) Luke Roffers, (4) Ross Bailes, (5) Dennis Franklin, (6) Scott Autry, (7) Johnny Pursley, (8) Gary Mabe, (9) Kyle Pierce, (10) Brian Moody, (11) Billy Hicks, (12) Kevin Wilson, (13) Joey Coulter, (14) Kenny Compton Jr., (15) Dustin Mitchell, (16) Doug Sanders, (17) Brian Ledbetter, (18) Steve Blackburn, (19) Damon Kotke, (20) Wayne Hughes, (21) Bubba McGee, (22) Tim Allen, (23) Michael Marlowe, (24) Mike Gault. Fast qualifier (among 35 cars): Compton, 16.090 seconds. Consolation winners: Sanders, Mabe, Pierce.
