FRIENDSHIP MOTOR SPEEDWAY Weekly Article

Elkin, NC - The Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series would kick off our ninth event of the year as they rolled into the ASA Sanctioned Friendship Motor Speedway for the first time since going back to dirt here in 2008. The track would really show off the impressive work of the speedway staff as the track would hold smooth all through the night for the first time this year in a super late model event. Friendship Motor Speedway once again showed that this was the place to be to enjoy great dirt track racing action in all feature events. This week would also feature three of our regular divisions which are known as the GM Direct Automotive Crate Late Models, Super Street, and the Coffee House Four Cylinders.

In the Oakwood Homes of North Wilkesboro Carolina Clash Super Late Model event, an impressive turnout of 39 cars were on hand to attempt to make the 24 car starting grid for the feature event. This would be the biggest turnout so far this year for the Carolina Clash Series. Ricky Weeks would set the lap of record for the night to claim the fast time award from Oakwood Homes of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Noel Tucker would have a impressive lap as he would kick things off from row number one along side Weeks. As the green flag flew it would be none other than Ricky Weeks with the early lead over Noel Tucker. Tucker would fall in line in second with Tommy Taylor in tow. A hard charging Ray Tucker of Greensboro, North Carolina would make his presence known as he would power by Taylor and Noel Tucker to make a run on Weeks. Weeks and Tucker would get caught up with a lap car and Ray Tucker would get caught in a accident and be done for the night as he would look to have the car to beat early on. Ricky Weeks would continue to lead as Benji Cole would move up to second as Noel Tucker would have a flat tire. Randle Chupp would also make a run as he would pick up third and looking for second. It would not be for Benji Cole as he would give it all he had in the closing laps. Ricky Weeks of Rutherfordton, North Carolina would score back to back Carolina Clash wins as he would roll into the Neighbors Stores/100.9 WIFM Victory Lane. Cannon, Georgia's Benji Cole would score second with Randle Chupp of Troutman, South Carolina in third. Luke Roffers and Ed Gibbons would round out the top five.

In the GM Direct Automotive Crate Late Model event, Noel Tucker would return in style as he would set quick time to start from the pole along side points contender Chris Cheek. Noel Tucker would get out to an early lead over Chris Cheek as Tucker would look to take home a possible fifth win of the season. Chris Cheek would ride second for several laps before having what appeared to be mechanical woes on his machine and be done for the night. Robby Stevens would move to second and looking for his second win of the year as he would try to make up ground on Noel Tucker. Last weeks feature winner Mitchell Coble would do all he could to make a battle for second with Stevens. New points leader Keith Holder would do battle with Jonathan Davenport and Tony Hicks for that fourth spot. Noel Tucker out of Pilot Mountain, North Carolina in his Aunt Bea's Restaurant, Stevens Maintenance, South Main Service Center machine would score win number five of the season. Robby Stevens would hold on to second with Mitchell Coble still looking strong in third. Keith Holder and Tony Hicks would grab fourth and fifth with Jonathan Davenport rounding out the top six in his season debut at Friendship. Post race update, Robby Stevens would be disqualified in post race inspections for soft tires. This would relegate him to finish 25th and moving everyone else up one position.

In the Super Street feature event, Points leader Daniel Moss would kick off the start from first along side Jeff Parsons. Jeff Parsons would look to have the car to beat with just an impressive run after leading almost the entire event to the last caution with just a couple laps to go. Jeff Parsons would get just a little to high in turn one and two on the restart allowing Andy Mathis waiting patiently in second ready to make his move. Mathis would storm to the inside and take the lead with the white flag waving. Jeff Parsons would just not be able to muster up enough to catch back up as Andy Mathis would score his first win of the year after trying week after week. Jeff Parsons would finish in a strong second after his impressive run to try to find his first victory at Friendship. Daniel Moss would watch all this excitement from third as last weeks winner Jimmy Watson would backslide this week to finish fourth.

In the Coffee House Four Cylinder event, Billy Robbins would kick off the event along side Robbie Brown. These two are not only going at it on the track but also for that 2008 season championship. Tempers would flare as Robbins and Brown would trade the lead a couple times before the checkers would fall. This time it would be Robbie Brown adding just two more points to his lead as he would score his third win this season. Billy Robbins would finish a strong second with Sandy Martin riding quitely in third most of the night to finish third. Jerry Cook and Luke Golding would finish with a respective fourth and fifth place run.

Congrats to this weeks feature winners and thanks to all the dirt racing fans, drivers, and crewmen for your support as we head into the tenth event of the 2008 racing season next week. Coming up for our next event will be all of our regular divisions known as the GM Direct Automotive Crate Late Models, Super Streets, Coffee House Four Cylinders, and the Southeastern Cars & Parts U-Car division. The GM Direct Automotive Crate Late Models will be running for a special $1500.00 to win. We will also be saying thanks to all our drivers next week running for points as they will receive double points for their finishing positions on July 19th. The ladies that came to the event this week will also be rewarded as they will receive $2.00 off July 19th admission with their July 12th ticket stub. Come on out as we would love to have you as part of our dirt racing family.

For information on the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series just check out their website at www.CarolinaClash.com For complete results, and the latest on the happenings of Friendship Motor Speedway just log onto www.FriendshipRacing.com, the official website of Friendship Motor Speedway. Be sure to bring the family, friends, or whatever the case may be to the best dirt track racing in the south at Friendship Motor Speedway in Elkin, North Carolina.

(Article written on July 13th, 2008 by Corey M. Hensley)