Jeff Smith brings home the Carolina Clash Cup for the 2009 Season

[Clashpr]

Jeff Smith brings home the Carolina Clash Cup for the 2009 Season
By: Alex Cummings

October 31, 2009. Jeff Smith began his racing career 25 years ago on the dirt tracks of the southeast. Over the last 25 years, Jeff has won numerous races and a few track titles during his journey. Some of his most notable accomplishments to date would be winning the 1994 Xtreme Dirtcar Series Rookie of Year honors, 2005 March Madness winner, 3 time winner of the Shrine 100, 2007 Fayetteville Motor Speedway SLM Champion, and the 2008 Fayetteville Motor Speedway SLM Crazy 8 Championship. But one championship eluded him for years, a touring SLM Series Championship, until this season when Jeff brought home the
honors of winning the Carolina Clash SLM Series Cup.

The season began with a bang for Jeff with a 16th place finish at Carolina Speedway for the 2009 Carolina Clash season opener. He wouldn’t let the dismal finish get to him though as he came back with a vengeance earning 8 straight top 5 finishes and 3 wins over the next 8 races, placing no worse than 4th during this streak. Then the rollercoaster ride began to take a downward spiral. The next 4 races saw Jeff place out of the top 15, 3 times with just 1 win to his credit. After a 22nd place finish at 311 Fastrack, Jeff knew he needed to step up his game and that he needed to turn his luck around at the next race.

The next race was held at Carolina Speedway and marked the beginning of the Countdown for the Cup, which was a 6 race Championship Series. When the dust settled at the end of the night, Jeff emerged with a 3rd place run and he felt rejuvenated and ready. So ready in fact that Jeff came into the next race with a confidence level that was at a season high and it showed during the race as he was able to bring home the win. The next 3 races saw him finishing no worse than 5th place and extending his points lead to 78 points over Ricky Weeks heading into the final race of the season at 311 Fastrack for the Clash Bash.

“I’m just trying to get my emotions and nerves in check today as we get ready for the race” said Jeff Smith when asked about his thoughts on the day. All Jeff needed to do was finish 22nd or better to win the championship but all he could think about was his 2 previous DNF’s at 311 this season. Jeff qualified well and transferred to main through his heat race, starting the main in the 9th position. Jeff ran his own race as usual, battling it out for every position as if it was the last
lap but on lap 50, Jeff’s championship hopes came to a crashing halt when he developed motor problems and had to go behind the wall. Even with the motor trouble, Jeff was able to win the points championship over 2nd place Ricky Weeks by 33 points who finished the race in the 4th position.

“This season has been remarkable for us, we made some changes in the off season and we now have a great combination of team members” said Jeff Smith in victory lane after receiving his 2009 championship cup. The championship was a well deserved victory for Jeff and his crew as he has finished 2nd in points to Ricky Weeks 3 times in the last 5 years. This year, the roles were reversed.

Jeff is the son of Freddy Smith and grandson of the late Grassy Smith; racing is in Jeff’s blood. Freddy is also known as the “Southern Gentlemen” and this has definitely rubbed off on Jeff as well. Jeff is one of the most friendly and well mannered men you will ever meet both at and away from the race track. He even leant Chris Ferguson his backup car one night when Ferguson’s car was having trouble.

Over the last few years, Jeff has emerged as a house hold name across the entire southeast and has become a force to be reckoned with. With a very bright future ahead, Jeff looks forward to the 2010 season with high hopes to defend his Carolina Clash Championship.

[311rebel]

congrats to the Jeff Smith team on a great season and the 2009 championship.

[robcoracer21]

good job jeff i kno ya daddy is proud of all you have accomplished

[outlawsfan]

congrats on your championship. well deserved

[ksmitty79]

Can't wait to get my Jeff Smith Carolina Clash Champion shirt.!!!!Congrats Jeff..

[JSF]

Congratulations Jeff!!!!! You know how happy that I am. Woohoo!