Carolina Speedway
Jeff Smith earns $3,000 for first NDRA victory
Jeff Smith heads for his first NDRA victory. (Gary Laster)
GASTONIA, N.C. (March 10) – Jeff Smith’s list of racing accomplishments got a little bigger on Saturday night, as the Dallas, N.C., veteran added an NDRA Road Show presented by Heintz Performance victory to his resume.
Starting from the front row of the season-opening feature for the Crate Late Model series during Carolina Speedway's Skyler Trull Memorial, Smith grabbed the lead on the opening lap and topped defending NDRA champion Ron Parker of Lawndale, N.C., for a $3,000 victory at the 4/10-mile oval. | Video
Parker challenged Smith on a number of mid-race restart, but settled for the runner-up finish after Smith pulled away late in the race. Former Skyler Trull Memorial Super Late Model winner Dean Bowen of Whiteville, N.C., was third with Dennis Franklin of Gaffney, S.C., and fast qualifier Michael Brown of Pageland, S.C., rounding out the top five.
Both Smith and Franklin pulled double duty Saturday, competing in both the Crate feature and the $4,000-to-win Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series season-opening event. Smith was fifth in the 40-lap feature, while Franklin was 21st after falling out while leading on lap six.
NDRA Crates: (1) Jeff Smith, (2) Ron Parker, (3) Dean Bowen, (4) Rambo Franklin, (5) Michael Brown, (6) Ross Bailes, (7) Matt Long, (8) Dan Breuer, (9) Donnie Austin, (10) Matt Stover, (11) Anthony Sanders, (12) Chris Cheek, (13) Chase McCormick, (14) Steve Cooke, (15) Gary Puckett, (16) Ryan Atkins, (17) Travis Steele, (18) Perry Brown, (19) Jonathan Edwards, (20) Billy Thompson, (21) Greg Barker, (22) Steve Banal, (23) Chris Hargett, (24) Brett Hamm. Fast qualifier (among 32 cars): Brown.
