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!
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.
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