October 4
Sumter Speedway,
Sumter, SC
Sanction: Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series (Gibbons Memorial) - $5,007
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated October 9, 5:13 pm)
Watkins dominates Gibbons Memorial for $5,007
Gibbons Memorial
- Ben Watkins
- Dalton Peavy
- Jamison McBride
- Steve Banal
- Taylor Puckett
- Brian Strickland
- Ethan Wilson
- Justin Mintz
- Donovan Jackson
- Kale Green
- Christian Thomas
- Landen Zakalowski
- Brent Robinson
- William Russell
- Tim Allen
- Justin Hobgood
- Michael Marlowe
- Johnny Pridgen
- Tony Ayers
- Greg Clark
- Dalton Hodge
- Richard Burns
- Banjo Duke
- Austin Mintz
presented by
facebook.com/sumterspeedway
Ben Watkins became the sixth winner of the Gibbons Family Memorial.
What won the race: Second-starting Ben Watkins of Rock Hill, S.C., led all 40 laps for a flag-to-flag victory in Saturday's sixth annual Gibbons Memorial at Sumter Speedway. Watkins beat Dalton Peavy by 0.757 of a second for a $5,007 payday, his fourth Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series victory this season and 18th of his career.
Key notes: Watkins's 18th career Carolina Clash victory moves him into a tie with Chris Ferguson for fifth on the tour's all-time wins list. ... It's his fifth overall feature win this season. ... His other three Clash wins came March 8 at County Line Raceway in Elm City, N.C., April 26 at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway and Aug. 8 at Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, N.C. ... Dalton Peavy trailed Watkins for all 40 laps, but never truly challenged for the lead. ... Fifth-starting Justin Mintz slipped to an eighth-place finish. ... Series rookie Landen Zakalowski gained 10 spots to finish 12th. ... The race honored two of the best drivers in track history, Edward “Slick” Gibbons and his son “Little Ed” Gibbons, the 2001 Clash champ. Both drivers enjoyed success at Sumter, before Slick’s sudden passing in the summer of 2020; the younger Gibbons died in 2009. ... The 40-lapper was slowed twice by caution, first on lap three when Austin Mintz retired from eighth, then again for a multicar incident on lap 13. ... The race lasted 17 minutes with 17 starters completing the distance.
On the move: Taylor Puckett of Greer, S.C., started 10th and finished fifth.
Winner's sponsors: Watkins drives a Longhorn by Wesley Page powered by a Clements Racing Engine with sponsorship from Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas, Parks Heating & Cooling, Langley Collision Center, Sandwood Company, Bilstein, WP Racing Shocks, Hoosier Tire South, VP Racing Fuels, Allstar Performance, STAKT Products, Craig Industries, Top Quality Siding & Windows and Indocil Arts.
Points chase: After Sumter: 1. Ben Watkins (1,092); 2. Dalton Peavy (961); 3. Donovan Jackson (937); 4. Christian Thomas (884); 5. Landen Zakalowski (809).
Current weather: Scattered Clouds, 73°F
Car count: 29
Polesitter: Dalton Peavy
Consolation race winners: Donovan Jackson, Christian Thomas
Provisional starters: Banjo Duke, William Russell
Next series race: November 8, Fayetteville Motor Speedway (Fayetteville, NC) $5,000
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.
