Cherokee Speedway
Rambo wins fifth Stick Elliott Memorial
By Mark Huey
Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series
Dennis Franklin earned $4,000 for his victory in the Stick Elliott Memorial. (Howard Lawson)
GAFFNEY, S.C. (Aug. 3) — Hometown driver Dennis Franklin captured his fifth victory in Cherokee Speedway’s Stick Elliott Memorial Saturday night, earning a $4,000 Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series victory in the 29th version of the event that honors the legendary North Carolina racer. | Slideshow
Franklin, a two-time Carolina Clash champion and current series points leader, held off a hard-charging Zack Mitchell of Enoree, S.C., in the final 10 laps to capture his fourth series victory of the season.
“It really is awesome to see a big crowd like this at Cherokee,” said Franklin, who earned the 27th Carolina Clash victory of his career. “I want to thank each and every fan who was here tonight to honor Stick Elliott. It really means a lot to me to win this race again. He was truly an icon to dirt racing in this area.”
Mitchell came on strong during the middle of the 40-lap event but settled for second at the finish. Brent Dixon of Elberton, Ga., finished third with Johnny Pursley of Clover, S.C., and Tim Allen of Kannapolis, N.C., rounding out the race’s top five finishers.
Franklin earned the pole by capturing the Roush Yates Performance Products Fast Time award during qualifying and led every lap en route to victory.
Mitchell was fast approaching the leader as they caught lapped traffic with 33 laps completed before a late caution halted Mitchell's momentum and set up a single-file restart.
Mitchell stayed within three car lengths of Franklin in the final run to the finish but never could mount a challenge in the closing laps. While he fell short of the victory, Mitchell was happy to turn around a frustrating season with his runner-up performance.
“This really is a big moral victory for my team,” Mitchell said. “We really thought we could have had something at the end, but that’s how it goes. This race team just kept working hard and we finally had a good run. I am so proud of all of them.”
Dixon ran second during the early stages of the race but faded to fifth around halfway. He later maneuvered back past Pursley and set up his top three finish. He survived a flat right-rear on the final lap.
“We blew that tire as we were coming under the flag stand on the final lap, but we had a decent car,” Dixon said. “We are excited to have finished where we did. It was a tough race.”
Notes: Franklin’s Barry Wright Race Car is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by AES Racing and M&W Towing. ... All four of Franklin’s Carolina Clash victories have come at different tracks. Besides Cherokee, he’s won at Carolina Speedway, Fayetteville Motor Speedway and I-77 Speedway. ... Allen and Ricky Weeks crossed the finish line side-by-side for a photo finish, with Tim Allen scored fifth by transponder scoring. ... John Pursley was the Safety-Kleen Hard Charger of the Race winner, advancing four spots to 11th to collect a one-point bonus. ... The next stop for Carolina Clash competitors is a Tuesday night event on Aug. 13 at Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, N.C., for the 41st annual Shrine 100 race.
Stick Elliott Memorial: (1) Dennis Franklin, (2) Zack Mitchell, (3) Brent Dixon, (4) Johnny Pursley, (5) Tim Allen, (6) Ricky Weeks, (7) Chris Blackwell, (8) Scott Shirey, (9) Mike Gault, (10) Ross Bailes, (11) John Pursley, (12) Anthony Sanders, (13) Kyle Pierce, (14) Brian Ledbetter, (15) Frank Coates, (16) Michael Marlowe, (17) Chip Brindle, (18) Damon Kotke. Fast qualifier (among 18 cars): Franklin.
