DILLON, Sc — Engines roared and racers stormed the race track last weekend as the PASS Series Super Late Models and DMS Super Trucks started the 2010 racing season at ASA-sanctioned, Dillon Motor Speedway. Other racing divisions that battled for the checkered flag included the Allison Legacy Series, Legends, Bandoleros, and the DMS Mini Cups.
All of these different racing divisions brought the biggest crowd of racers to ever enter the infield/pits at ASA-sanctioned, Dillon Motor Speedway. It was phenomenal. Also, the grandstands and first-turn terrace held almost as many race fans as the record crowd of the race track’s grand opening.
The feature event of the evening was raced by the PASS Series Super Late Models. Fans that have followed the PASS South series for the last year and a half have all wondered and even asked, “Ryan, when are you going to win your first race?” That question along with a statement on who might be the guy to beat for the 2010 PASS South series championship was answered in front of a stellar crowd at the ASA-sanctioned, Dillon Motor Speedway as fifteen-year-old Ryan Blaney stole the show and earned the win, dominating the South Carolina Clash 150.
The youngster bested the thirty-four cars all day during practice, and then, backed it up in Pro Photo Productions qualifying, setting the fastest time over the thirty-one cars that took time. With the large field in attendance, PASS officials were forced to have a last chance race for those who did not lock themselves in by qualifying inside the top twenty.
The first forty laps proved to be the most exciting as cars sliced and diced for position. The biggest mishap of the night came on lap thirteen when multiple cars went spinning, including top runners Jay Fogleman, Preston Peltier, and Dylan Presnell after the #79 of Chris Bowers caused the field to stack up after a slow restart. Most of the cars in the incident were able to continue after minor repairs to their machines. The final caution of the night came just thirty-eight laps into the 150-lap event, but it was lap forty-eight that was the lap to remember for Ryan Blaney as he took the lead when Justin Wakefield went up in smoke with motor trouble.
While the difference between first and second was over fifteen seconds, the battle between local favorite Hal Goodson, Steve Legendre, and Preston Peltier was quite interesting. As Blaney took the checkered flag, Goodson managed the runner-up spot while Legendre scored his career best PASS finish of third leaving Peltier in the fourth position at the line. Spencer Wauters made it back-to-back fifth place finishes as he rounded out the “top five” for the second consecutive season.
Another interesting race occurred within the DMS Super Trucks division. Ryan Hall in the #66 truck ended up being the man of the hour when he crossed the finish line in first place. It was close racing between the top three competitors. However, Hall made his move within the last few laps of the race. Young, Garrett Tubbs, charged across the finish line in a strong second place, followed by Hal Goodson in a solid third position. Marty Griggs and Ben Stanton finished in fourth and fifth places respectively.
Other thrilling races occurred throughout the evening from the Allison Legacy Series, Bandoleros, Legends, and the DMS Mini Cups.
