August 11, 2013 – Carolina Clash PR by Mark Huey – Churches have one annually, as do colleges, universities and high schools. Now, in the 41st year, super late model drivers and dirt stock car racing teams from both Carolinas will assemble on NC Hwy. 274 (Union Rd.) in Gaston County for “a homecoming,” so to speak. It is a night that allows race teams from all over the piedmont to leave their Saturday weekly racing venues and to meet all in one place – united – for the love of dirt track racing and for the most important natural resource on the planet…children. Their united stand in the name of the children is what brings them together annually to the Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, NC. Now, in its 41st year, the Gaston County Shrine Club will meet again to find out the next name to add to the back of their popular t-shirt – the name of the winner of the Shrine 100 late model race benefitting the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.
The nationwide hospital system is supported by the 195 shrine temples across America. Organized in September 1872, the members of the Shriner’s International meets annually at events such as the Gaston County Shrine 100 race to raise money and awareness for their highest calling – “to provide care for children and families in need” and “to build relationships that can last a lifetime.”
The Shrine 100 race at Carolina Speedway is one such event – one which features memories that will last a lifetime for those who compete in it – and for those who win it. Chartered in 1922, the Gaston County Shrine Club is the oldest Shriner’s organization in the Carolinas.
The Carolina Clash will be making its 3rd visit of the season to Carolina Speedway and will headline the 41st Annual Shrine 100. For dirt late model racing in this area, this race is truly a diamond the original crown jewel of events in the Carolinas.
This race is the oldest race event put on by the Shriners in the Carolinas and will feature a $16,000 purse of posted awards.
“This will be an event you don’t want to miss, every year it gets bigger and better” stated Mark Gibbons Carolina Speedway co- promoter. “This event is special in so many ways,” said Gibbons. “Racers in this area mark this race on their calendar in January as they all want their name to appear on the back of the event shirt next season.”
“This race means so much to this area. It is the race that people want to win. I mean, to be among the past winners, six of which are members of the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame, is really a big deal to these drivers,” co-promoter Clint Elkins stated Sunday. “This race is the largest grossing event for the Carolina Speedway each year. This is the third year featuring a race sanctioned by the Carolina Clash. I truly feel this helped the late model car count at this event and helped to bring the best of the Southeast out for fans to experience.”
Elkins stated that nearly 90 drivers were on hand for the 2012 event in all divisions. While the
Carolina Clash race is the headliner, every event in each division is a thrill-ride for the fans to enjoy! Each of the drivers in the other classes also knows how important winning a Shrine race is in any division.
National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame and Carolina Clash Hall of Fame Driver “The Flintstone Flyer,” Mike Duvall of Cowpens, SC has the most Shrine 100 wins with 7 victories. Others previous winners include: Freddy Smith, Billy Scott, Ray Cook, Buck Simmons, Jeff Smith, and Scott Bloomquist. This year, Ross Bailes recorded his first Carolina Clash win of the season at the Laurens County Speedway and won the 2011 event at the Gaston County Shrine 100.
Dennis Franklin was the winner of the event in 2012 and has captured five wins in 2013, including the season opening Skylar Trull Memorial at Carolina Speedway. Johnny Pursley won the second race of the season at Carolina on May 3. Both are 1-2 in the point standings.
Along with the Clash Super Late Models, the NDRA Late Models, Domino’s Pizza Street Stocks, Tilley-Harley Davidson Renegades, and Q2U BBQ Pit Stock 4’s will be on the schedule of events. Gates will open at 5 pm and prerace Shriner’s ceremonies are set to begin at 6:00pm. Racing starts at 8pm.
Carolina Speedway’s address is 6335 Union Rd. in Gastonia, NC.
Thus, on behalf of everyone involved with the Shrine 100 event, you are invited to “a Carolina-style homecoming” at the 41st Annual Shrine 100 at Carolina Speedway, Tuesday night, August 13, 2013. In the event of rain, the race will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2013.
Please take the time to visit these websites and support the efforts of the Shriner’s International and the Gaston County Shrine Club of Dallas, NC:
http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/
http://gastoncountyshrineclub.com/
Be sure to visit the website of the Gaston County Shrine Club website link (above) and check out the Shrine 100 poster, which features locations around Gaston County offering special pre-race ticket sales for the event for $15. Ticket prices on the day of the event are $20 for grandstand admission. Be sure to come EARLY as parking will be limited as the evening grows.
Other notes: The results from the Stick Elliott Memorial Race for the Carolina Clash, an event from Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC was made official on Thursday, Dennis Franklin was the ran winner. The next two races will be the final two point races of the regular season before the start of the Roush-Yates Performance Parts Championship Chase.
The 2013 regular season will conclude at Fayetteville Motor Speedway on August 17, 2013 with the David Hales Agency/Allstate Insurance Night.
The Carolina Clash Series is sponsored by: JE Pistons, NCPR, sormance, Union eastern Nroth t Cup Martinsville weekend. community of Madison, just off US Highway 311 to Roush Yates Performance Products, Stock Car Steel & Aluminum/SRI, American Racer, Hoosier Racing Tires, VP Racing Fuels, Safety Kleen, Collins Signs & Trophies, Performance Tees, Thomas Clarke Performance Web Designs, The Carolina Auto Racing Show (CARS), Racing Electronics, Lee Furniture Company, Rock Auto.com & R2C Performance Filters.
PHOTO CREDIT: Carolina Clash