Carolina Speedway
Franklin captures fourth Shrine 100 at Gastonia
By Mark Huey
Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series
Dennis Franklin grabbed $4,000 in Gastonia, N.C. (ZSK Photography)
GASTONIA, N.C. (Aug. 14) — Dennis Franklin of Gaffney, S.C., captured his fourth career Gaston County Shrine Race at Carolina Speedway on Wednesday, earning $4,000 for his series-leading fifth Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series victory of the season. | Slideshow
Franklin, the series points leader, started on the pole and led all 30 laps and won the event for the second straight year, this time using a powerplant provided by M&W Towing.
"They bought the engine for this car and it has been just awesome since we put it in,” Franklin said. “I mean, it was awesome winning at my home track of Gaffney a few weeks ago and I always love winning in front of this crowd. The Shrine 100 is always a great win and a great event and the crowd for this race is always awesome!”
The victory helps put Franklin in position for his third series title through the Roush Yates-JE Pistons Chase for the Championship, which starts following Saturday’s series event at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
“We gotta keep winning,” Franklin said. “I mean, I told the guys that work on this car — Daddy, Billy — that when we started the season, it was all about winning and the championship would come to us.”
Johnny Pursley of Clover, S.C., finished second followed by Chris Ferguson of Mount Holly, N.C. Dustin Mitchell of Pine Level, N.C., and Tim Allen of Kannapolis, N.C.,
Franklin took the lead at the outset, but Kennie Compton Jr.’s first-lap spin quickly slowed the action. With Franklin out front, Pursley worked past Ferguson and challenged Franklin amid traffic near the halfway point.
After two cautions for single-car stalls, the race returned to green until five laps to go when Jonathan Edwards slowed in turn four. During the final three laps, Franklin edged away by six lengths to complete his victory.
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. ... Franklin earned a $200 bonus for the Blair Ferguson Memorial Pole award. ... Franklin has 28 career Carolina Clash victories, second on the all-time list and seven shy of leader Ricky Weeks. ... Ninth-finishing Kyle Pierce gained six positions to earn the Safety-Kleen Hard Charger honors. ... Fayetteville hosts Saturday’s final regular-season series event. As of now, 11 drivers are eligible for the Roush Yates-JE Pistons Chase for the Championship and points will be reset: Dennis Franklin, Johnny Pursley, Ricky Weeks, Tim Allen, Ross Bailes, Mike Gault, Damon Kotke, Michael Marlowe, John Pursley, Kyle Pierce and Luke Roffers. ... Jonathan Davenport won the night’s Crate feature by overtaking Greg Barker in the final laps.
Gaston County Shrine Race: (1) Dennis Franklin, (2) Johnny Pursley, (3) Chris Ferguson, (4) Dustin Mitchell, (5) Tim Allen, (6) Ricky Weeks, (7) Kennie Compton Jr., (8) Anthony Sanders, (9) Kyle Pierce, (10) Mike Gault, (11) Michael Marlowe, (12) Brian Ledbetter, (13) Damon Kotke, (14) Jonathan Davenport, (15) Jonathan Edwards, (16) Ross Bailes, (17) Kenny Rominger Jr., (18) Luke Roffers, (19) John Pursley. Fast qualifier (among 21 cars): Franklin, 16.151 seconds.
