Lancaster Motor Speedway
Late rally lifts Weeks to Clash win at Lancaster
By George "Big Mack" Missita
DirtonDirt.com correspondentLANCASTER, S.C. (Sept. 20) — Tightening his grip on the series points lead with one race remaining, Ricky Weeks of Rutherfordton, N.C., slipped by Randle Chupp of Troutman, N.C., heading for the white flag at Lancaster Motor Speedway and won his fifth Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series event in the last eight series events. Weeks, who started inside the second row and dropped back to fourth early, earned $5,000 for his series-leading 28th career victory.
Chupp started on the pole but Dennis "Rambo" Franklin of Gaffney, S.C., took the early lead from outside the front row. Chupp eventually took the lead from Franklin but the rallying Weeks made it to the front just in time for his second series victory of the weekend. Franklin finished third followed by Jeff Smith of Dallas, N.C., and Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga. Tim Allen of Kannapolis, N.C., ran as high as second before fading to sixth.
Notes: Weeks pilots a Rocket Chassis powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Starrette Trucking, Parton Lumber, AFCO and Dirtwrap. ... Weeks has three victories in the six-race Countdown to the Cup, the Clash's playoff-style title chase. ... Weeks leads Dennis Franklin by 45 points heading to the season-ending Carolina Clash Bash at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway. The event pays $9,000 to the winner.
Carolina Clash @ Lancaster: (1) Ricky Weeks, (2) Randle Chupp, (3) Dennis Franklin, (4) Jeff Smith, (5) Jonathan Davenport, (6) Tim Allen, (7) Chris Ferguson, (8) Doug Sanders, (9) Ed Gibbons, (10) Justin Labonte, (11) Scott Shirey, (12) Wayne Hughes, (13) Larry Blankenship, (14) Scott Neighbors, (15) Randy Smith, (16) Anthony Sanders, (17) Bob Robertson, (18) Craig Shuffield. Fast qualifier (among 18 cars): Franklin.