Wythe Raceway
Franklin dedicates Wythe victory to grandmother
By Mark Huey
Carolina Clash Super Late Model SeriesRURAL RETREAT, Va. (Sept. 14) — Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series points leader Dennis Franklin of Gaffney, S.C., wasn't even sure he’d be racing Saturday night at Wythe Raceway. But the series points leader ended the night in victory lane for his tour-leading eighth victory of the season after overtaking Tim Allen of Kannapolis, N.C., late in the event on the Roush Yates Performance Products Chase for the Championship. He earned $4,000.
“This win is for my grandmother who suffered a stroke today,” said Franklin, who notched his 31st career series victory and fifth in his last six series starts. “We were not even going to come up here tonight, but I want to thank (AES Racing team owner) Steve Cooke for flying me up here and all my crew for getting this car ready for tonight. This race means a lot to me personally and I was driving for her tonight.”
Allen settled for second with Johnny Pursley of Clover, S.C., in third. Five-time series champion Ricky Weeks of Rutherfordton, N.C., who pitted for a lap-29 flat tire, and Mike Gault of Gaffney, S.C. rounded out the top five.
Fast qualifier Vic Hill of Mosheim, Tenn., outdueled Franklin for the early lead and proved he had the dominant car, stretching his leading margin to more than a half-lap on his closest competitor.
But Hill ran into problems on lap 29 and his No. 1 ended up in the turn-three guardrail with a flat tire, knocking him from contention.
Allen inherited the lead, but his run lasted just four laps as Franklin went around on the outside exiting turn four and led the rest of the way.
Notes: Franklin’s Barry Wright Race Car is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by AES Racing, Nichols Plumbing and M&W Towing. ... Outside front-row starter and reigning series champion Luke Roffers tangled with Johnny Pursley at the outset of the race, and damage to the Roffers machine forced him to retire. ... Sixth-place finisher Jonathan Davenport pitted along with Ricky Weeks for a lap-29 flat tire. ... Fifth-place finisher Mike Gault earned Safety Kleen Hard Charger honors for advancing six positions. ... Next up for the series is a Sept. 21 event at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
Carolina Clash @ Wythe: (1) Dennis Franklin, (2) Tim Allen, (3) Johnny Pursley, (4) Ricky Weeks, (5) Mike Gault, (6) Jonathan Davenport, (7) Damon Kotke, (8) Gary Mabe, (9) Chris Blackwell, (10) Kevin Wilson, (11) Michael Marlow, (12) Kyle Pierce, (13) Mike Parker, (14) Vic Hill, (15) Zach Mitchell, (16) Travis Greer, (17) Luke Roffers. Fast qualifier (among 17 cars): Hill.
