The second points race of the 2026 season for the Schaeffer’s Oil by Mike Bruner Red Clay 602 Late Model Series took center stage on Saturday night at Laurens County Speedway and it was Nick Deitz that dazzled throughout the evening to pocket the $2,500 first place prize money! Nick clicked off the fastest time overall during Knowles Race Parts and Bodies qualifying to earn the pole position for the 30-lap headliner. The Hodges, South Carolina ace then took control at the drop of the green flag and held the point throughout the distance to capture his first career Red Clay 602 Late Model Series victory.
Finishing 0.673 of a second behind at the unfurling of the checkered flag was fifth-starting Trent Ivey, who pocketed a $1,200 payday for his sterling runner-up effort. Last year’s Shrine Race winner Luke Cooper started and finished third to round out the podium. Luke Clements was solid all night in finishing fourth, while Dawson Lowe came home fifth and now sits atop of the latest Red Clay 602 Late Model Series point standings.
A total of 21 Schaeffer’s Oil by Mike Bruner Red Clay 602 Late Model Series competitors were on hand on Saturday in Laurens, South Carolina for the fourth overall round of the tour. Trent Ivey started off the evening on a quick note, as he posted the fastest lap during RaceDay Safety Hot Laps with a time of 15.535 seconds. Nick Deitz then turned almost an identical lap during Knowles Race Parts and Bodies qualifying, as he earned Fast Time honors with a time of 15.537 seconds. The entire feature field was set solely through qualifying with 20 competitors taking the green flag in the A-Main.
The next event on the racing calendar for the Red Clay 602 Late Model Series will be a visit to North Georgia Speedway in Chatsworth, Georgia on Friday night, April 24. The race will be the first of four stops at the northern Georgia venue and a $2,000 winner’s check will be up for grabs. Dawson Lowe will bring the point lead into North Georgia Speedway, as he leads by a mere two markers over Bryson Hickman. Cass Fowler, Jim Gray, and Charles Devine sit third through fifth respectively in the latest point tally. More information on the “Fastest 1/3-Mile in the South” can be viewed online at www.northgeorgiaspeedway.net.
Schaeffer’s Oil by Mike Bruner Red Clay 602 Late Model Series
Round 4 Race Summary
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Laurens County Speedway – Laurens, South Carolina
Schaeffer’s Oil Feature Finish (30 Laps):
1. (1) Nick Deitz $2,500
2. (5) Trent Ivey $1,200
3. (3) Luke Cooper $650
4. (4) Luke Clements $450
5. (6) Dawson Lowe $400
6. (2) Cass Fowler $350
7. (9) Monk Gulledge $325
8. (8) Ray Storay $300
9. (14) Bryson Hickman $280
10. (10) Shaun Thomas $260
11. (11) Jim Gray $240
12. (20) Doug Bragg $220
13. (13) Josh Mulwee $200
14. (17) Zane Littleton $175
15. (18) John Snow $165
16. (12) Jasper Brown $155
17. (19) Joseph Seyk $150
18. (7) Ryan Clay $150
19. (15) Charles Devine $150
20. (21) Billy Moore $150
21. (16) Evan Bell DNS
Entries: 21
Lap Leaders: Nick Deitz (Laps 1-30)
$100 PPM Racing Products Hard Charger Award: Doug Bragg +8 Positions
$100 RaceDay Safety Fastest in Hot Laps Award: Trent Ivey
$100 Knowles Race Parts and Bodies Fast Time Award: Nick Deitz
$100 Extreme Towing & Recovery Hard Luck Award: Ryan Clay
$100 C&S Auto Electric Long Haul Award: Jim Gray
$100 Billings Brothers Autism Awareness Blind Draw Award: Luke Clements
$50 Headrick Motorsports Lap 25 Leader Award: Nick Deitz
RaceDay Safety Hot Laps:
Fast Time Overall: Trent Ivey 15.535
Knowles Race Parts and Bodies Time Trials:
Fast Time Overall: Nick Deitz 15.537
Qualifying Results – Group A: 1. 11-Nick Deitz, 15.537[5]; 2. 57-Luke Cooper, 15.656[6]; 3. 28-Trent Ivey, 15.751[9]; 4. 90-Ryan Clay, 16.058[3]; 5. 1-Monk Gulledge, 16.126[7]; 6. 47-Jim Gray, 16.513[10]; 7. 92-Josh Mulwee, 16.550[2]; 8. 116-Charles Devine, 16.688[1]; 9. 87Z-Zane Littleton, 16.742[8]; 10. 10S-Joseph Seyk, 16.846[4]; 11. (DNS) 21-Billy Moore
Qualifying Results – Group B: 1. C9-Cass Fowler, 15.658[5]; 2. 51-Luke Clements, 15.664[9]; 3. 16-Dawson Lowe, 15.665[2]; 4. 83RS-Ray Storay, 15.784[8]; 5. 99-Shaun Thomas, 15.819[6]; 6. 83-Jasper Brown, 15.864[7]; 7. B01-Bryson Hickman, 15.869[3]; 8. 97-Evan Bell, 15.882[1]; 9. 369-John Snow, 16.200[10]; 10. 41-Doug Bragg, 16.505[4]
2026 Red Clay 602 Late Model Series Point Standings:
1. Dawson Lowe – 384
2. Bryson Hickman – 382
3. Cass Fowler – 372
4. Jim Gray – 356
5. Charles Devine – 352
6. Zane Littleton – 344
7. Evan Bell – 338
8. Ryan Clay – 338
9. John Snow – 332
10. Nick Deitz – 200
2026 Red Clay 602 Late Model Series Schedule:
February 6 – Screven Motor Speedway (Sylvania, GA) – WYATT COFFEY
February 7 – Screven Motor Speedway (Sylvania, GA) – CODY OVERTON
February 28 – Senoia Raceway (Senoia, GA) – $2,500 to win – POSTPONED
April 2 – I-75 Raceway (Sweetwater, TN) – BRYSON HICKMAN
April 18 – Laurens County Speedway (Laurens, SC) – NICK DEITZ
April 24 – North Georgia Speedway (Chatsworth, GA) – $2,000 to win
May 1 – West Alabama Speedway (Winfield, AL) – $2,000 to win
May 2 – Buckshot Speedway (Clanton, AL) – $2,500 to win
May 23 – North Georgia Speedway (Chatsworth, GA) – $2,000 to win
May 29 – Travelers Rest Speedway (Travelers Rest, SC) – $2,000 to win
June 2 – Laurens County Speedway (Laurens, SC) – $2,500 to win
June 20 – Cherokee Speedway (Gaffney, SC) – $2,000 to win
July 3 – I-75 Raceway (Sweetwater, TN) – $2,000 to win
July 4 – Sugar Creek Raceway (Blue Ridge, GA) – $2,500 to win
July 18 – Screven Motor Speedway (Sylvania, GA) – $2,000 to win
July 19 – Toccoa Raceway (Toccoa, GA) – $2,000 to win
July 21 – Senoia Raceway (Senoia, GA) – $2,000 to win
July 24 – North Georgia Speedway (Chatsworth, GA) – $2,000 to win
August 1 – Harris Speedway (Rutherfordton, NC) – $2,000 to win
August 7 – Hartwell Speedway (Hartwell, GA) – $2,000 to win
August 8 – Winder-Barrow Speedway (Winder, GA) – $2,500 to win
August 22 – Lavonia Speedway (Lavonia, GA) – $2,000 to win
September 12 – Laurens County Speedway (Laurens, SC) – $2,500 to win
October 10 – Cherokee Speedway (Gaffney, SC) – $2,000 to win
October 17 – Lavonia Speedway (Lavonia, GA) – $2,500 to win
October 31 – North Georgia Speedway (Chatsworth, GA) – $4,000 to win
The Schaeffer’s Oil by Mike Bruner Red Clay 602 Late Model Series would like to thank all of their marketing partners including Schaeffer’s Oil by Mike Bruner, American Racer Tires, PPM Racing Products, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, Extreme Towing and Recovery, Raceday Safety, Chevrolet Performance, Cruise with the Champions, Smith Motors, Faktor Racing Chassis, Styles Services, Virginia Driveline and Differential, C&S Auto Electric, Billings Brothers Autism Awareness, Tuxedo Glass and Mirror, Cruise with the Champions, Capital Custom Paint, Delph Communications, and Peeping Dragon Photography. Any questions concerning the series can be pointed to either Walter Tapp at 864-382-9957 or Ray Cook at 828-360-5353. More information on the tour can be found online at www.RedClaySeries.com.
About Schaeffer’s Oil by Mike Bruner:
Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants: synthetic motor oils, hydraulic fluids, and diesel fuel additives have achieved a world-class reputation for improving engine performance and fuel economy, but their diverse product line includes all types of industrial lubricants, industrial greases, and industrial oils as well as specialty items like their chain lubes and degreasers. Founded in 1839, their philosophy is to provide advanced lubricants for improved performance, reliability, and fuel economy.
From Dallas, Georgia, Mike Bruner brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table with a background in equipment sales and operations that spans over two decades. He has worked with two construction equipment manufacturers and started his own company in 2009, focusing on construction, grading, and hauling. His company has been a Schaeffer customer for many years, and in 2024, he joined the Schaeffer’s Oil team as a full-time sales representative. Learn more or connect with Mike by logging onto www.schaefferoil.com/mikebruner.