6.11.16 Carolina Clash Late Models Results
Bulls Gap, Tenn. (6/11/16) – If you’d ask Chad Ogle of Sevierville whether he wished the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series would schedule more events at Volunteer Speedway, it’s quite likely he would say yes. After all, he’s become accustomed to winning when the series sanctions racing at “The Gap.”
The 40-year-old Ogle moved into the lead on lap 15 during running of the “Border Wars” 40-lap feature and, once out front he never looked back en route to capturing the $4,000 victory in convincing fashion.
“This is a really awesome win for our race team, we needed it,” Ogle said with a smile on his face in victory lane. “We had a really strong car, and with the track in such great shape we were flat-out getting it around these high banks. With the track fast as it was tonight, it really takes a physical toll on your body with the G-forces.
“Once I got out front into the lead, I just moved up top in the banking with the right-rear tire against the cushion in the corners and let her (car) roll. I just wanted to be focused and click off consistent lap times and not make any mistakes.”
Even though the calendar doesn’t yet show it’s officially summer, you’d have a hard time convincing everybody present at the track otherwise because temperatures Saturday around East Tennessee were in the mid-90s. And generally with hot conditions and the sun baking down on the surface, it leads to a dusty, dry-slick track.
However, that wasn’t the case as several Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series competitors were hot lapping at times (11.80s and 11.90s) well below the existing track qualifying record (12.001 seconds 120.004 mph), leading many to believe a new standard would be set in time trials.
Ricky Weiss of Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, making his first-ever start at Volunteer Speedway competing as a teammate with five-time track champion Vic Hill, flirted with a new track record as he powered to a fast-time at 12.032 seconds. Ogle was second quickest at 12.107.
Weiss powered out to the lead at drop of the green flag over Ogle, Donald Bradsher, Mack McCarter and Ray Cook. McCarter got around Bradsher on the second circuit racing off the fourth turn for third.
But smashing the loud pedal and rocketing his way forward from his seventh-starting position was Donald McIntosh, as he blasted around both Cook and Bradsher on lap 3 to move himself into the fourth position. Just one lap later racing off the second corner down the backstretch he passed McCarter to take the third spot.
With the track hooked-up and tacky, speeds were fast and action was intense all back through the field. While Weiss was showing the way out front over Ogle and McIntosh, behind them battles for real estate were taking place involving McCarter, Cook, Vic Hill, Brett Hamm, Johnny Pursley, Jordon Horton, Billy Ogle Jr., Justin Rattliff, Ross Bailes, and a host of other chauffeurs.
With the lead trio catching some slower traffic at back of the field to begin lapping, the 23-year-old speedster McIntosh seized the moment when Weiss and Ogle momentarily were held back to overtake both and move into the lead on lap 12. Ogle got around Weiss for second place just one lap later.
What looked like a possible run to victory turned into disappointment for McIntosh when power steering issues sidelined him prematurely on lap 15, thus turning the lead over to Ogle. The event’s only caution waved on lap 21, when Ross White and Tommy Bailey got together between turns one and two.
Ogle, driving the GEO Services – Geotechnical & Materials Engineers/Ogle’s Neighborhood Service & Towing/Brooks Malone/Hoosier Racing Tire/Matlock Decal Co./Custom Race Engines/Rocket Chassis/No. 10 Chevrolet Corvette, shot back out into the lead off the restart while behind him two- and three-wide racing was taking place involving Weiss, Bradsher, Cook, Hill, McCarter and a host of other drivers.
With the race reaching lap 30, Ogle was in command out front and it was quite evident that the only thing to keep him from winning would be for mechanical gremlins to park him in the pits. While Ogle was on rails out front, Cook was on the move getting around both Bradsher and Weiss.
Ogle recorded the win over Cook, Weiss, Hill and Bradsher. Completing the top 10 finishers were Bailes, Pursley, Dustin Linville, David Watts and McCarter.
“This is our first victory anywhere since we won the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series race here last spring,” Ogle stated. “It’s not like we’ve not had some good runs, because we have. But when you’re competing in series races with Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, World of Outlaws Late Model Series, Southern All Stars Racing Series, Ultimate Super Late Model Series and these Carolina Clash events, the competition is stiff. If you finish in the top 10 you’ve really had a pretty good night.”
“There are several touring series races at tracks here in East Tennessee where you can show up and race for good purses. We’ve got a really good Rocket Chassis car and a good motor from Custom Race Engines, so hopefully we can have some good luck as the season goes along and get us another win or two. Night’s like tonight where you get the winner’s check and get to take the big trophy home, that’s what it’s all about.”
Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series “Border War” (40 Laps $4,000 To Win) Saturday June 11, 2016
Showing Finish Position, Starting Position In Parentheses, Driver Name, Car Number, Hometown
1. (2) Chad Ogle #10 – Sevierville, TN
2. (6) Ray Cook #52 – Brasstown, NC
3. (1) Ricky Weiss #7 – Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
4. (5) Vic Hill #1 – Mosheim, TN
5. (3) Donald Bradsher #93 – Burlington, NC
6. (13) Ross Bailes #87 – Clover, SC
7. (9) Johnny Pursley #09 – Clover, SC
8. (20) Dustin Linville #D8 – Bryantsville, KY (SRI Hard Charger)
9. (16) David Watts #04 – Blacksburg, VA
10. (4) Mack McCarter #51 – Gatlinburg, TN
11. (12) Justin Ratliff #16 – Campbellsville, KY
12. (15) Mark Vineyard #4 – Powell, TN
13. (10) Jordon Horton #56 – Sneedville, TN
14. (22) Greg Estes #31 – Jonesville, VA
15. (8) Brett Hamm #18 – Newberry, SC
16. (19) Tommy Bailey #11 – Corbin, KY
17. (11) Billy Ogle Jr. #201 – Knoxville, TN
18. (17) Ross White #0 – Knoxville, TN
19. (14) Mark Douglas #52D – Knoxville, TN
20. (7) Donald McIntosh #7 – Dawsonville, GA
21. (18) Jeremy Hines #5H – Seymour, IN
22. (21) Travis Greer #11G – Marion, VA
Did Not Start: Chris Barton #144, Ellery Leake #34, Brian Smith #7, Chris Chandler #8, Bobby Mays #25
Heat #1: 1) Johnny Pursley #09, 2) Billy Ogle Jr. #201, 3) Ross Bailes #87, 4) Mark Vineyard #4, 5) Ross White #0, 6) Tommy Bailey #11, 7) Greg Estes #31, 8) Chris Barton #144
Did Not Start: Brian Smith #7, Ellery Leake #34
Heat #2; 1) Jordon Horton #56, 2) Justin Rattliff #16, 3) Mark Douglas #52D, 4) David Watts #04, 5) Jeremy Hines #5, 6) Dustin Linville #D8, 7) Travis Greer #11g
Did Not Start: Chris Chandler #8, Bobby Mays #25