August 11
Carolina Speedway,
Gastonia, NC
Sanction: Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series (Gaston County Shrine 100) - $4,000
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated August 16, 12:40 am)
Koehler's slip lifts Watkins to $4,000 Clash win
Gaston County Shrine 100
- Ben Watkins
- Jeff Smith
- Adam Yarbrough
- Corey Gordon
- Gray Parton
- Jordan Koehler
- Rich Kuiken
- Brandon O'Neil
- David Yandle
- Dylan Davis
- Dennis Franklin
- Jamison McBride
- Steve Banal
- Jonathan Jennings
- Anthony Sanders
- Brian Ledbetter
- Gavin Cowan
Ben Watkins celebrates his second straight Shrine 100 victory at Carolina Speedway.
What won the race: Second-starting Ben Watkins of Rock Hill, S.C., inherited the lead on a lap-25 restart after race-long pacesetter Jordan Koehler slipped and made contact with the wall, sending him to a $4,000 victory in Friday night's 40-lap Gaston County Shrine 100 at Carolina Speedway. Watkins collected his second straight Shrine victory and his third Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series triumph of the season and the 10th of his career.
Key notes: After leading the first 24 laps from the pole, Koehler made contact with the wall and sustained a flat tire, forcing him to the pits. He rebounded to finish sixth. ... Fourth-starting Jeff Smith followed Watkins to the runner-up position on the lap-25 restart and chased him the rest of the way, finishing a distant 6.437 seconds back. ... Fifth-starting Adam Yarbrough rounded out the podium in third. ... Corey Gordon advanced three positions and finished fourth. ... Brandon O'Neil gained four spots and finished eighth, the last driver on the lead lap. ... David Yandle drew the race's third caution when he spun and tagged the turn-four wall on lap eight; he pulled off on lap 31 and finished ninth. … Anthony Sanders retired on the first lap after sustaining damage to his car during qualifying. ... Friday's 40-lap feature was slowed by seven cautions and lasted 26 minutes, with eight drivers running at the finish. ... Brian Ledbetter and Gavin Cowan each broke during qualifying and scratched for the night. ... An auction was held to benefit the Gaston County Shrine Club.
On the move: Rich Kuiken of Concord, N.C., started 11th and finished seventh.
Winner's sponsors: Watkins drives a Longhorn Chassis powered by a Clements Racing Engine with sponsorship from WP Racing Shocks, Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas, Sandwood Company, Craig Industries, John Page Racing, Langleys Collision Center, Bilstein Shocks, VP Racing Fuels, Allstar Performance and Collins Signs.
Points chase: After Carolina: 1. Ben Watkins (664); 2. Gray Parton (594); 3. Adam Yarbrough (589); 4. Dennis Franklin (520); 5. David Yandle (491).
Current weather: Clear, 73°F
Car count: 17
Fast qualifier: Jordan Koehler
Time: 15.817 seconds
Polesitter: Jordan Koehler
Next series race: August 19, Harris Speedway (Rutherfordton, NC) $4,000
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.