CHARLOTTE, NC (July 29) – As race fans and Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Model drivers head into South Carolina for race number eight of the 2008 season, chances are they will see a sign welcoming them to the state. Many of those signs will read WELCOME TO SOUTH CAROLINA…SMILING FACES, BEAUTIFUL PLACES! <\/p>\n
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Well, that saying could not be more fitting for what will greet the PASS South Super Late Models to Dillon Motor Speedway for the 3rd Annual South Carolina Clash. A beautiful facility, great race fans, fast PASS South Super Late Models, and a beauty queen look to make this one of the more festive stops on the 2008 schedule. But, before we look forward to this weekend, let’s look back at the first two runnings of the South Carolina Clash.
The first incarnation of the South Carolina Clash was held at the then newly repaved Florence Motor Speedway in 2006. And, for those who were there, it would be a race none would soon forget. First off, former two-time NASCAR All Pro Series champion Hal Goodson made his return to Super Late Model competition driving his familiar blue #16 at one of the tracks that he cut his teeth on. Secondly, the race was an absolute slugfest. As a matter of fact, only five cars were running at the finish. That’s right, five cars! In the end, the late Charlie Bradberry outlasted veterans Mike Rowe and Freddy Query to take the win in that first South Carolina Clash. The race would prove be Charlie’s last major Super Late Model win. He would lose his life in a fatal highway accident just four months later after leaving Talladega Superspeedway. Bradberry was only 24.
The 2nd running of the South Carolina Clash moved from the Pee Dee Region of the state to the Upstate and the Anderson Motor Speedway. A great field of PASS South Super Late Models attended, but the race ended up being a battle between Ryan Lawler and former Anderson Motor Speedway track champion Gary Greenwood. Lawler led from lap 33 to lap 108 when he was passed by Greenwood. Greenwood, exhausted by the hot South Carolina sun, could not hold on and was passed back by Lawler just two laps later. Lawler held on for his second win of the 2007 season and would eventually go on to become the PASS South champion
This year’s South Carolina Clash returns to the Pee Dee and looms to be one of the most unpredictable yet. Only a handful of drivers have ever raced or tested at the oddly shaped Dillon Motor Speedway. Turns one and two are fairly broad while turns three and four are extremely tight on the 4\/10 mile track. No wonder…the track was originally graded in the 1960’s by the same person who built the Darlington Raceway, Harold Brasington.
Alex Haase, along with his PASS South car owner Kyle Busch, tested at Dillon earlier this year and that could prove to be an advantage for them. PASS South points leader Corey Williams looks to bounce back from a disappointing run at Orange County’s Southern Sizzler. Perhaps the driver with the most to gain is Perry Brown. Brown enters the South Carolina Clash third in points with a win earlier this year at Georgia’s Watermelon Capital Speedway. Why is that important? Many drivers have said that Dillon and Watermelon Capital have very similar characteristics. Another driver hoping to prove himself is local hot shoe Jason Calhoun. Calhoun has numerous SuperTruck and Late Model wins at Dillon and will be piloting the #0 driven earlier this year by Strom Altman. PASS South regulars Heath Hindman, Mark Gibson, Alex Fleming, Justin Wakefield and Logan Ruffin will all be seeking their first wins of 2008.
In addition to the PASS South Super Late Models competing in the South Carolina Clash, Dillon Motor Speedway will give back to their local fans as they always do. Teen Miss South Carolina Leslie Hanna will be on hand to sign autographs and serve as the Grand Marshal for the South Carolina Clash. Miss Hanna will give the command to start engines and will present trophies to Saturday night’s winners. Also, in action will be the SuperTrucks, Chargers, and Street Stocks. And, during intermission fans will get to participate in the “Penny Pincher” race.
Action will kick off on Friday, August 1st with practice for the PASS South Super Late Models. On Saturday, August 2nd, PASS South Super Late Models and local divisions will be allowed to practice. PASS South qualifying will be at approximately 5 PM, with racing at approximately 7 PM. Dillon Motor Speedway is located in Dillon, SC, just off Interstate 95 exit 191 on SC Highway 9.
For information on any PASS division go to racewithpass.com. For marketing or media questions contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039 or for technical information contact Scott Reed at 207-625-3230
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