Dirtfan_21
05-28-2008, 04:17 PM
TRAVELERS REST, SC (May 26) - Furman Parton has been so close so many times. On Monday night at Travelers Rest Speedway the popular Union Mills, NC driver put it all together to post his first career Carolina Clash victory in front of a packed house in the 2nd Annual 'Mountain Man 40'.
"It all finally fell on the right night," said a very happy Parton. "It is one of the biggest highlights of my career it is probably the pinnacle of my racing career so far. To have a car like I had, I just have to thank all my crew, it is just special to win," said Parton
Damon Eller and Parton brought the 25 car field to the green with Parton using the high side momentum to grab the early lead over Eller, Casey Roberts, Jonathan Davenport and Ricky Weeks. The first of five cautions waved on lap four when PBM Performance Parts Rookie of the Year contender Anthony Sanders spun in turn four.
On the restart Eller slipped off two allowing Roberts and Davenport to move by. Meanwhile, Benji Cole was putting heavy pressure on four-time and defending series champion Ricky Weeks for fifth. With Cole all over his rear bumper Weeks was able to slide by Eller for fourth as Cole made the same move one lap later.
Cole finally made his inside move stick on la 23 as he shot by Weeks for the fourth spot. He then went to work on Davenport for third. Eller continued to slip back and now had to deal with current series points leader Dennis "Rambo'" Franklin. "Rambo" was all over Eller as Jeff Smith continued to work the outside as he moved past former series champion Ed Gibbons on lap 33 to take over eighth. Cole was able to move up to third as he bypassed Davenport exiting turn two.
A caution on lap 35 for leading PBM Rookie of the Year contender Craig Shuffield set up a five lap dash to the checkers. As the field went back green Cole went to work on Roberts for second but up front it was all Parton as he drove his Parton Lumber/Blue Ridge Floor Finishing/J&J Race Cars/AFCO/PPM/Dirtwarp/Clements Racing Engines/Rocket chassis away to the $4,000 win. Roberts, Cole, Davenport and Weeks rounded out the top five.
Sixth through tenth went to Eller, Franklin, Smith, Gibbons and Deano Long.
Eller was the Mega Plumbing of the Carolina's Fastest Qualifier. Ricky Boahn took the Beaver Bail Bonds Bailed Out Award. Larry Timms collected the Heintz Brother Hard Charger of the Race. Roger Iwerks was the NASCAR Technical Institute Crew Chief of the Race.
The next event for the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series will be Saturday Night May 31 at Hartwell Speedway.
Carolina Clash would like to thank the following sponsors: American Race Tires, Heintz Brothers Performance, Cabinets by Design, PBM Performance Parts, Starrette Trucking, Mega Plumbing of the Carolina’s, PPM Performance Parts, Beaver Bail Bonds, TRT Trailer Sales, Performance Tee’s, Dunn-Benson Ford, Dunn-Benson Racing Supply, Dirt Wrap, Erson Cams, Mike’s Custom Tanks, Duralite Racing Wheels, Sisco Fire & Safety, Wa-Don Bert Transmission, Nascar Technical Institute, Victory Lane Karting and Firethorn Marketing.
"It all finally fell on the right night," said a very happy Parton. "It is one of the biggest highlights of my career it is probably the pinnacle of my racing career so far. To have a car like I had, I just have to thank all my crew, it is just special to win," said Parton
Damon Eller and Parton brought the 25 car field to the green with Parton using the high side momentum to grab the early lead over Eller, Casey Roberts, Jonathan Davenport and Ricky Weeks. The first of five cautions waved on lap four when PBM Performance Parts Rookie of the Year contender Anthony Sanders spun in turn four.
On the restart Eller slipped off two allowing Roberts and Davenport to move by. Meanwhile, Benji Cole was putting heavy pressure on four-time and defending series champion Ricky Weeks for fifth. With Cole all over his rear bumper Weeks was able to slide by Eller for fourth as Cole made the same move one lap later.
Cole finally made his inside move stick on la 23 as he shot by Weeks for the fourth spot. He then went to work on Davenport for third. Eller continued to slip back and now had to deal with current series points leader Dennis "Rambo'" Franklin. "Rambo" was all over Eller as Jeff Smith continued to work the outside as he moved past former series champion Ed Gibbons on lap 33 to take over eighth. Cole was able to move up to third as he bypassed Davenport exiting turn two.
A caution on lap 35 for leading PBM Rookie of the Year contender Craig Shuffield set up a five lap dash to the checkers. As the field went back green Cole went to work on Roberts for second but up front it was all Parton as he drove his Parton Lumber/Blue Ridge Floor Finishing/J&J Race Cars/AFCO/PPM/Dirtwarp/Clements Racing Engines/Rocket chassis away to the $4,000 win. Roberts, Cole, Davenport and Weeks rounded out the top five.
Sixth through tenth went to Eller, Franklin, Smith, Gibbons and Deano Long.
Eller was the Mega Plumbing of the Carolina's Fastest Qualifier. Ricky Boahn took the Beaver Bail Bonds Bailed Out Award. Larry Timms collected the Heintz Brother Hard Charger of the Race. Roger Iwerks was the NASCAR Technical Institute Crew Chief of the Race.
The next event for the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series will be Saturday Night May 31 at Hartwell Speedway.
Carolina Clash would like to thank the following sponsors: American Race Tires, Heintz Brothers Performance, Cabinets by Design, PBM Performance Parts, Starrette Trucking, Mega Plumbing of the Carolina’s, PPM Performance Parts, Beaver Bail Bonds, TRT Trailer Sales, Performance Tee’s, Dunn-Benson Ford, Dunn-Benson Racing Supply, Dirt Wrap, Erson Cams, Mike’s Custom Tanks, Duralite Racing Wheels, Sisco Fire & Safety, Wa-Don Bert Transmission, Nascar Technical Institute, Victory Lane Karting and Firethorn Marketing.