July 13
Lancaster Motor Speedway,
Lancaster, SC
Sanction: Ultimate Southeast Series (Shrine Race) - $5,000
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated July 17, 12:35 am)
Watkins wires Lancaster's Shrine Race for $5,000
Shrine Race
- Ben Watkins
- Jeff Smith
- Gray Parton
- Steve Banal
- Dylan Watson
- Brian Helms
- David Yandle
- Nick Yandle
What won the race: Ben Watkins of Rock Hill, S.C., executed a dominating flag-to-flag performance in winning Saturday's 40-lap Shrine Race at Lancaster Motor Speedway. Watkins sped to the $5,000 victory 9.336 seconds ahead of Jeff Smith, nabbing his first Ultimate Southeast Series victory of the season and the fourth of his career — three of them coming at Lancaster (May 6, 2023 and July 8, 2023).
Key notes: Watkins has now won eight of the last nine Super Late Model events contested at Lancaster since July 11, 2020, earning nearly $40,000 over that span. His only loss came on June 21 when Smith topped the $12,000 Buddy Crook Memorial in an event co-sanctioned with the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series. Watkins retired early while leading that race after overheating issues. ... Series points leader Gray Parton held third the entire way, finishing 1.435 seconds behind Smith. ... Steve Banal started and finished fourth, the only other driver to complete 40 laps in the 14-minute feature.
On the move: Dylan Watson of Ararat, N.C., started seventh and finished fifth.
Winner's sponsors: Watkins drives a Longhorn by Wesley Page 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 Lancaster: 1. Gray Parton (213); 2. David Yandle (151); 3. Ben Watkins (145); 4. Greg Clark (143); 5. Christian Thomas (140).
Current weather: Few Clouds, 84°F
Car count: 8
Fast qualifier: Ben Watkins
Time: 19.616 seconds
Polesitter: Ben Watkins
Next series race: August 2, Dixieland Speedway (Elizabeth City, NC) $5,000
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.