After nearly a month off, the Late Model division will be back in action for two consecutive weeks at Carteret County Speedway beginning this Saturday night, August 25th, and track regulars Brandon Clements and Chris Burns are hoping to pick up wins.
Clements has won four races this season and has all but clinched the Late Model championship at Carteret County Speedway, but he does not plan to slow down and just ride. Fresh off a win at East Carolina Motor Speedway, Clements wants to win races and keep adding to his points lead, while also improving ahead of the $8,000-to-win Solid Rock Carriers Labor Day Classic on September 2nd.
“I’m really excited to get back to Carteret County Speedway after a few weeks off,” Clements said. “Ready to get back behind the wheel. We had a really good car last race there and think we found a few things to step it up this weekend. With the competition level we have at Carteret County Speedway, you have to find every bit of speed you can to stay ahead. There are a lot of really good cars.”
Clements leads the championship standings over fellow Swansboro driver and longtime friend Chris Burns, the driver who won the 2016 track championship.
“The points lead we have right now is unbelievable and really goes to show how consistent our team has been this year,” Clements explained. “Consistency is what it takes to win races and championships. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, teamwork has been the key to our success this year.”
Burns knows the championship is out of reach, but it has not slowed his resolve. Like Clements, Burns intends to contend for wins and hopes to win as many races as he can throughout the remainder of the season.
“I would have loved to fight for a championship at Carteret County Speedway this year but, due to complications in tech on a twin race night, we have lost our chance at that,” Burns remarked. “Now we have gave 100 percent to trying to be the best and fastest we can be which is nothing new, but now we have no need to worry about points.
“Even without the two disqualifications, the championship would have been tough to clinch with Brandon having a very strong season so far, winning many races. We would have had to win most of the races left to beat him and it’s just not that easy.”
While Clements has proven to be tough to beat in any car at Carteret County Speedway, he does not take sole credit for his success. Clements has won more races than any other driver at Carteret County Speedway with numerous Mini-Stock victories and now four Late Model victories. However, for Clements, it’s about the team.
“We have the best crew chief in the business with Mr. Wendell Davis and the best chassis out there with Performancenter Racing Warehouse,” Clements commented. “We also have, by far, the best shocks by Matt McCall, as well as an awesome team and sponsors that stand behind us 100 percent. Without all that, we wouldn’t be able to have the success we have had this year, and we’re not done yet.”
Both Clements and Burns will race in Saturday night’s 80-lap Late Model race and then prepare for the 125-lap Late Model portion of the Solid Rock Carriers Labor Day Classic which will commence on Sunday, September 2nd.
Saturday night’s Riverside Dodge/Chrysler 200 presented by Cedar Point Storage will also feature racing for Mini-Stocks, U-CARs, Legends, Mini Cups, Jr. Mini Cups and Champ Karts. Qualifying will take place at 5pm, the pre-race meet-and-greet will begin after qualifying, and the green flag will fly at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and kids 10 and under get in free.
For more information about Carteret County Speedway, visit the track’s official website at www.carteretspeedway.com, “like” Carteret County Speedway on Facebook or follow @carteretcoswy on Twitter.
