Carolina Clash: Compton Wins "Carolina Clash Bash"; Franklin Clinches 2011 Title

Marion Limbaugh 

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Oct. 15. Kenny Compton, Jr. led flag to flag Saturday at Fayetteville Motor Speedway to take his second Carolina Clash victory of the season. Starting from the pole position, Compton never looked back as he went on to claim the sixth annual "Carolina Clash Bash" and round six of the JE Pistons Roush/Yates "Chase for the Championship".

In victory lane, Compton stated "After last weekend I knew the only thing I could do this weekend is go all-out and try to get the win. It's a great way to end the season."

Compton came into Fayetteville 45 points behind Dennis Franklin in points. Although Compton took the win, Frankin brought home a fourth place finish, which was enough to give him the 2011 Carolina Clash Championship.

Compton set fast time in qualifying and at the drop of the green flag, launched out to the lead with Luke Roffers dropping into the runner up spot. By lap three, Scott Autry charged up to second where he maintained steady pressure on race leader Compton. Compton was able to hold Autry at bay en route to the win. Roffers held off hard charging Jeff Smith and Dennis Franklin to finish in the third spot.

With the third place run, Roffers was able to regain third spot in Championship points. Dustin Mitchell qualified fourth and ran in the top five for the entire race. Mitchell held on to fourth until lap 31, when Franklin moved by, relegating Mitchell to a fifth place finish. Mike Gault moved up to finish sixth, while Jeff Smith lost handling on his car in the last couple of laps and dropped back to seventh.

Franklin took the Carolina Clash Championship for the second year in a row. He now has the title as the 2011 Carolina Clash Champion and will receive the $10,000 payoff at the 2011 series banquet. Rambo ended the season with two series victories, 11 top five's, and 15 top 10's. His worst finish for the season was a 12th place finish at Fayetteville back in April. He ended the season with an average finish of 5.117, and 4.33 for the six JE Pistons Roush/Yates Performance Parts Chase races.

Travis Yow picked up the 2011 Rookie of the Year title in his first full season in a Super Late Model. Yow also finished 8th in the "JE Pistons Roush/Yates Chase for the Championship."

The Carolina Clash banquet is scheduled for January 28, at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Country club.  

Oct. 15 - Carolina Clash at Fayetteville Motor Speedway 1) Kenny Compton, Jr., 2) Scott Autry, 3) Luke Roffers, 4) Dennis Franklin, 5) Dustin Mitchell, 6) Mike Gault, 7) Jeff Smith, 8) Johnny Stovall, 9) Ricky Weeks, 19) Scott Shirey, 11) Travis Hair, 12) Travis Yow, 13) Donald Bradsher, 14) Chuck Smith, 15) Mike Parker, 16) Kerry King, 17) David Taylor, 18) Dalton Wilson, 19) Jay Sessoms, 20) Craig Shuffield, 21) Tim Allen, 22) Jonathan Gunther, 23) Steven Blanton, 24) Roger Lucas
Missy Hendrickson photo