|
SOUTHERN
SHORT TRACK RACING NEWS
| Wednesday, January 14, 2009 | | | Ricky Weeks Honored for Fifth Consectutive Title at the Carolina Clash Banque | From Carolina Clash PR
Concord, NC (January 10, 2009) - The Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series wrapped up another successful season Saturday night at The Speedway Club at Lowe's Motor Speedway, where Ricky Weeks was honored with his fifth consecutive series championship. Weeks took home the top honors after making a late race season rally to nip Dennis "Rambo" Franklin for the title. For Weeks the championship was worth a record $12,500. Scott Neighbors was honored as the PBM Performance Parts Rookie of the Year. The Spring Lake, NC driver topped four other Rookie of the Year contenders for the $2,500 prize. He nipped Craig Shuffield by one point to collect the honors. "I have to thank my crew so much for their hard work. Most of them have been with me since 1986 and I could not do it without them. I also want to thank my sponsors Parton Lumber Company, Starrette Trucking, Clements Racing Engines, J&J Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, Carolinadirt.com, American Racer, Dirtwrap, AFCO and VP Racing Fuel and of course my wife Myra for everything she does to support me," said Weeks. "Next year we will see if we have the 'fix for six'."
In 2008 Weeks captured five wins, 14 top five finishes and 16 top ten finishes.
Even more amazing is Weeks didn't find victory lane until July 5th. In the six race 'Championship Series' he scored three victories. Dennis "Rambo" Franklin competing for his first-time on the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series wound up in second place. Franklin captured three victories on the season and ended up with 13 top five and 16 top ten finishes in the Barry Wright Race Cars house car. Ed Gibbons only captured one victory in 2008 but it was a big one, as the popular Manning, SC resident scored the $9,000 '3rd Annual Clash Bash' win at Fayetteville Motor Speedway. That win vaulted him into third place in the final point standings. Jeff Smith got off to a slow start in 2008 but came on strong over the last half of the season. Finishing with 8 top five finishes he finished in the top five in points for the fifth consecutive season. Doug Sanders returned to the series full time in 2008 and was very consistent all season long. He finished with one top five finish and ten top ten finishes to garner a fifth place overall points finish. Craig Shuffield was part of a record setting PBM Performance Parts Rookie of the Year battle. He finished the season with one top five finish and six top ten finishes. In addition to his PBM Performance Parts Rookie of the Year title, Scott Neighbors also posted one top five finish and six top ten finishes to place his Nichols Plumbing team in seventh place in the final point standings. In only his second year of driving a race car and his first full season of competing with a Super Late Model, Anthony Sanders wound up eighth in the final point standings. 'Big A' as his is known throughout the racing community piloted his Hamrick's of Gaffney entry to one top ten finish in 2008, Deano Long has been a staple in the top ten in points over the last couple of years and 2008 was no different. The Saluda, SC resident drove his Newby Racing entry to one top five finish and four top ten finishes en route to his ninth place points finish. Completing the top ten was Jonathan Davenport. Although he didn't compete on the full schedule this young man made the most of his appearances. He finished with a pair of victories, seven top fives and eight top ten finishes the driver of the Beaver-Lowe Racing entry.
Weeks was also presented with several special awards. CV Products awarded him with a new custom fire-suit. Mike's Custom Tanks presented him with a complete set of tanks for his 2009 Rocket Chassis. A $900 value. He was also presented with a voucher for a free ISP Custom Seat. Heintz Brothers Performance presented Shuffield with a Hard Charger of the Year gift certificate. Neighbors was also presented an award from Mike's Custom Tanks. Veteran announcer and public relations director Larry Long was inducted into the Carolina Clash Series Hall of Fame. He joins a very select few that have received the honor.
For more information concerning the Carolina Clash Series please visit www.carolinaclash.com Have an opinion on this story? E-MAIL KARNAC to send a letter to the editor!
|