Carolina Clash: Compton Wins Second Series Event at His Dublin Debut

Alex Cummings

DUBLIN, N.C. - May 21. Kenny Compton, Jr. was able to fight off 30 of the best racers in the southeast Saturday evening at Dublin Motor Speedway to win his second career Carolina Clash race.

"We have been fighting hard all year to get this win," said Compton in victory lane. "I've never been to Dublin before but I really like this track and look forward to coming back at the end of the season. I also want to thank my crew and especially my father for all of their hard work along with all of my sponsors."

Compton won the Fastest Qualifier award with a time of 15.5 seconds. The echo of his Clements power plant could be heard as he flat footed the entire half-mile speedway.

With Compton taking the early lead, the first 10 laps of the feature seemed as though all 24 cars on the track were thrown into a blender as passing was taking place over all the speedway. Johnny Pursley got in on the action, passing Compton for the lead on lap nine. but Compton would get back around Pursley to lead lap 12.

"Rookie of the Year" contender Travis Yow went for a wide ride in turn one when the front suspension broke, sending him over the bank, and another ROY contender, Mike Huey, slowed on lap 26, but would resume after minor repairs behind the pit wall.

On the restart, Dean Bowen and Craig Shuffield would be bitten by the rattlesnake in turn three as Bowen spun in front of the field while running third. Shuffield, with nowhere to go slammed driver side first into the front of Bowen's car. Shuffield was placed into the ambulance for observation and was released minutes later.

On lap 28, fans were treated to a side by side battle for the lead when Dennis Franklin caught Compton, who had the preferred high side. Both ran door to door until lap 35 when Franklin bobbled in turn two, collecting Mike Gault. Gault, currently secnd in poiints, went for a spin bringing out the caution and sending him to the rear of the field. Gault would race his way back to an 11th place finish.

This set up a five-lap dash with Compton showing the way as Franklin followed in second, Luke Roffers in third to stretch his points lead. Pursley made a last lap pass on Jeff Smith coming out of turn four for fourth place. 

May 21 - Carolina Clash - Dublin Motor Speedway 1) Kenny Compton, 2) Dennis Franklin, 3) Luke Roffers, 4) Johnny Pursley, 5) Jeff Smith, 6) Tim Allen, 7) Scott Autry, 8) Jay Sessoms, 9) Dustin Mitchell, 10) Chris Blackwell, 11) Mike Gault, 12) David Taylor, 13) Petey Ivey, 14) Chad Paxton, 15) Mike Huey (prov.), 16) Travis Yow (prov.), 17) Justin Labonte, 18) Dean Bowen, 19) Craig Shuffield, 20) Travis Hair, 21) Benji Cole, 22) Robbie Bailey, 23) Shaun Harrell, 24) Michael Mason Fast Time (24 entries): Compton (15.50); Heat winners: Cole, Gault; B-Main winner: Mason
Missy Hendrickson photo