Ross Bailes Scores "King Of The Carolinas" Victory At Carolina

Ross Bailes Scores "King Of The Carolinas" Victory At Carolina

Gastonia, North Carolina (10/13/18) - Clover, South Carolina driver Ross Bailes backed up a non-sanctioned super late model win at Carolina on Friday night with a win in the Carolina Clash Bash at the Carolina Speedway on the Saturday portion of their King of the Carolinas weekend to close out the speedway season. The win was Bailes' 13th Carolina Clash win, putting him in 6th on the all-time win list.

Bailes captured the Parks Heating and Cooling "Park's Way Fast Time" award and received $100 for his qualifying effort. Johnny Pursley was 0.015 of a second off the fast time that pitted the two natives of Clover, South Carolina on the front row. Bailes was elated at his recent turn-around since the middle of September, where several DNFs hampered his efforts.

After a failed first start attempt, Bailes quickly took the lead entering turn one, fending off a hard charging Pursley.

The 40 lap event went flag to flag under green as Bailes only challenge was being in lapped traffic for several laps near halfway, which allowed Jeff Smith, who had moved into second, a chance to get onto the same straightaway with Bailes. However, as Bailes cleared the traffic, Smith had to also deal with it, giving Bailes a chance to stretch back out to an insurmountable lead. Smith, who in his post race comments with media, indicated that he had no idea that the race would go caution-free, where it took only 12 minutes to complete.

Smith stated that the long run caused quicker tire wear and said there was plenty of power, but not enough grip with tires just after halfway. Mt. Airy, North Carolina Benji Hicks, who also anticipated cautions, moderated his early run by "hanging back" around 6th position, where he qualified. However, by lap 30, Hicks began using the outside cushion to pick off Dennis Franklin, Jonathan Edwards, and Johnny Pursley, who all struggled with tire wear.

David Yandle of Monroe, North Carolina took the "Speed51.com" Hard Charger of the Race Award and will receive the $51 bonus and 10 bonus points for his advance of four spots from his 18th starting position.

Dennis Franklin moved into second in points after a sixth place run. Adam Yarbrough of Denver, North Carolina had been in second in points for most of the latter part of the season, until several mishaps with mechanical failures plagued him over the past several events. Yarbrough is the Clarendon Auto Parts Rookie of the Year (CarQuest of Manning), a business of the Slick Gibbons family who continues to have a great relationship with the Carolina Clash. The Ed Gibbons Memorial Sportsmanship Award is given to a driver who exudes high levels of sportsmanship over the course of the season.

David Yandle and Doug Sanders are in a tight battle for fourth in points, which Yandle holding on to the spot with help from his Hard Charger award at Carolina.

The win for Ross Bailes practically clinches the 2018 Carolina Clash championship and the $10,000 prize that will be given out at the series banquet in early 2019. If the Carolina win is confirmed by pending tire samples, Bailes will become the 12th different series champion in 19 seasons. The 2019 season will embark upon the 20th season of Carolina Clash, founded by Bunnlevel, North Carolina businessman and former racetrack promotor Larry Lee, in 2000 as a challenge series between County Line Speedway and Fayetteville Motor Speedway. The Carolina KOC event was race #338 all time in series history that has seen 75 different race winners. Dennis Franklin leads all active Clash drivers with 43 wins and three series championships. Ricky Weeks earned five series titles from 2004-2008.

6th Annual "King Of The Carolinas"

Carolina Speedway 10/13/18 Race Results

1. 87 Ross Bailes
2. 00 Jeff Smith
3. 55H Benji Hicks
4. 09 Johnny Pursley
5. 32 Jonathan Edwards
6. 2 Dennis Franklin
7. 421 Anthony Sanders
8. 30 Brian Carswell
9. 42 Doug Sanders
10. 23G Ryan Gifford
11. 23 Jimmy Mac
12. 57 Adam Yarbrough
13. 21 Will Harris
14. 03 David Yandle
15. 72 Robbie Bailey
16. 10 Scott Shirey
17. 448 Timmy Rominger
18. 84 Jay Sessoms
19. 103 Jr Yandle
20. 29 Larry Grube

Car Count: 20
Parks Heating & Cooling Fast Qualifier: Ross Bailes 15.322
Feature Winner: Ross Bailes
Speed51.com Hard Charger: David Yandle, Started 18th
Carquest / Clarendon Highest ROY Finisher: Adam Yarbrough

For more information on the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series visit the Series online at www.carolinaclash.com . Find us on Facebook at Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series and follow us on Twitter @CarolinaClashPR.

The Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series is sponsored by Heintz Performance, American Racer, Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, Clarendon Auto Parts, CarQuest Auto Parts, Franklin Signs And Graphics, Big A's Custom Graphics, Performance Plus, Safety Kleen, Parks Heating & Cooling, Racing Electronics, TRT Trailer Sales, Thomas Clarke Performance, and Speed51.com .