Charlie Watson took the lead early on in the season opener for the newly promoted Southeast Limited Late Models Pro race and held off Justin Sorrow’s challenge in the final laps to take an emotional victory. However, in post-race technical inspection, Watson’s car failed and Justin Sorrow was declared the winner of the event. Sheflon Clay dominated the Challenger Division and earned his first career Limited Late Model victory.
Justin Sorrow, who raced at Anderson Speedway the night before, qualified on pole with Dexter Canipe, Jr. alongside him for the start of the Hams Restaurant 125 for the Pro Division.
Canipe, Jr. would lead the early laps as Watson started moving up through the field from his fifth place starting position. Watson and Travis Byrd would have a good battle for the fourth position for several laps before Watson would take it away and begin the challenge on the top 3 of Canipe, Sorrow, and Brandon Setzer.
Watson had run down the leaders and used that speed to move around Setzer and Sorrow before taking the lead away from Sorrow on lap 20.
The first caution, and most severe accident of the evening flew on lap 41 after Mack Little had the throttle hang on his car heading into turn one. Little climbed out from the car under his own power, but the car suffered significant right front damage.
Ryan Glenski’s accident on lap 100 setup a 25 lap sprint to the finish between Watson, Setzer, Sorrow, and Canipe.
Watson got a good restart and as Sorrow battled Setzer for second the race ran out of laps before Sorrow was able to make a challenge for the win.
In the Challenger Division, Sheflon Clay started first, led all 50 laps and scored his first win anywhere in a Limited Late Model. Clay, a regular at Hickory Motor Speedway in both the Trucks and Limiteds, plans on chasing the championship in the SELLM Series this season. Chris Phipps finished with a strong second place and Hayden Humphrey ended up third.
The next race for the Southeast Limited Late Models is back at Tri-County Speedway on July 25th.
