Wythe Raceway
Roffers tops Mitchell in Wythe's Clash event
By Mark Huey
Carolina Clash Super Late Model SeriesRURAL RETREAT, Va. (Sept. 22) — Series points leader Luke Roffers of Concord, N.C., scored his fourth Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series victory of the season Saturday night at Wythe Raceway, earning $4,000 in the regional tour’s only visit of the year to Fred and Susan Brown’s high-speed half-mile oval.
Starting from the pole, Roffers slid back to third early in the event but recovered to overtake fellow front-row starter Zack Mitchell of Enoree, S.C., amid traffic with six laps remaining. Mitchell, who was looking for his first-ever series victory, settled for the runner-up finish with Johnny Pursley of Clover, S.C., third. Dean Bowen of Whiteville, N.C., finished fourth while Tim Allen of Kannapolis, N.C., took fifth.
Roffers’ victory ended defending series champion Dennis Franklin’s three-race win streak on the series. Franklin of Gaffney, S.C., led early in the race but fell out of contention when he had to pit on lap 10.
Taking the lead on the initial start, Mitchell held Franklin and Roffers at bay in the early laps before Franklin used a strong run exiting turn two to move out front on lap six.
Franklin held the top spot over the next four laps until problems developed on his AES Racing machine. His exit to the pits handed the lead back to Mitchell.
Holding command through the race’s middle portions, Mitchell appeared headed for his first series victory until a close call with the slowing car of Michael Marlowe forced Mitchell to the high side and opened the door for Roffers to maneuver beneath and take the lead.
Mitchell challenged back through the race’s closing laps but came up short as Roffers raced to the victory.
Notes: Roffers drives a Rocket Chassis with sponsorship from Wolf-Pack Racing, Cal-Les-2 Transport, Wayne Roffers Trucking, Chad Roffers Trucking, Roffers Wildlife Studio and Wisconsin Lock & Load. … Roffers takes an 11-point lead over Ricky Weeks of Rutherfordton, N.C., into the tour’s next event Sept. 29 at Lancaster (S.C.) Speedway. … All four of Roffers’ series victories this season have come at different racetracks. … Bowen earned the Safety-Kleen Hard Charger of the Race award with his run from 13th to fourth.
Carolina Clash @ Wythe: (1) Luke Roffers, (2) Zack Mitchell, (3) Johnny Pursley, (4) Dean Bowen, (5) Tim Allen, (6) Ricky Weeks, (7) Mike Gault, (8) Doug Sanders, (9) Billy Hicks, (10) Chris Ferguson, (11) Jeff Smith, (12) Daniel Baggerly, (13) Wayne Hughes, (14) Gary Mabe, (15) Kerry King Jr., (16) Dennis Franklin, (17) Craig Shuffield, (18) Scott Autry, (19) Travis Yow, (20) Michael Marlowe, (21) Randy Harmon, (22) Kerry King, (23) Travis Greer, (24) David Smith, (25) Ronnie Hoover. Fast qualifier (among 25 cars): Roffers. Consolation race winners: Ferguson, Weeks.
