Late Model Mania Series Comes Down to the Wire at Carteret

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Late Model Mania Series Comes Down to the Wire at Carteret

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*Rusty Daniels on track during a practice session at Carteret County
Speedway. (Photo credit: Andy Marquis/Race22.com)*

LUCAMA, NC – Rusty Daniels currently leads the Eastern Carolina Late Model
Mania (ECLMM) standings heading into the final race of the four race series
at Carteret County Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

With an average finish of 3.75 with his best results, so far, from ECLMM
races at Carteret County and Southern National, Daniels should be able to
lock up the title on in Sunday’s Solid Rock Carriers Labor Day Classic.
Daniels leads Eric Winslow (5.5), Ryan Haddock (6.0) and Chris Burns (6.25)
heading into the final race of the ECLMM series.

“We made a lot of headway last weekend,�?? Daniels said.  “I was real pleased
with our run down there.  I just feel like we’ve got a good chance to get a
top-three in both races.  I know Clay Jones is coming and a couple more
coming.  It is what it is.�??

However, Daniels has more on his mind than just the ECLMM title.  The
44-year-old from Alliance, North Carolina is winless so far in 2017 – a
statistic he hopes to change.  Daniels has had strong runs in recent months
and been in position to win races at both Carteret County and Southern
National, but luck has been cruel.

“That’s the way it goes,�?? Daniels explained.  “We were leading and got
turned.  We were leading and broke the motor.  I’m optimistic about it this
weekend.  We have really picked it up a good bit last weekend and I feel
like I have a good chance.  I’m optimistic.�??

While Daniels has a comfortable lead in the standings so far, with two more
chances to improve his average finish, Ryan Haddock and Eric Winslow are
still lurking and the most recent race winner, Chris Burns, hopes to
improve his standing.

24-year-old Ryan Haddock from Clayroot, North Carolina is hoping to spoil
the party on Sunday night and lock himself into Southern National
Motorsports Park’s Thanksgiving All-Star Classic – if he can get two wins.
Haddock will be making his first Late Model Stock Car start at Carteret
County Speedway and is looking to build momentum.

“We got Solid Rock Carriers coming on board to run the Thanksgiving Classic
so locking ourselves in would be a feather in the cap,�?? Haddock explained.
“This will be our first time going to Carteret in a Late Model.  We’re kind
of shooting in the dark, we don’t know what to do setup wise but we’re
hoping for two wins or two top-three finishes.  First time there, that
would be a good way to setup.  We’re going to travel around next year so
we’re trying to get some experience and momentum.�??

Eric Winslow, currently second in the ECLMM standings, has four career wins
at Carteret County Speedway and is confident he can get two more on Sunday.

“I think we’re capable of getting two wins this weekend. Obviously Rusty is
a tough competitor and he has much more success at Southern National than
us with our one start there but we’re going to do what we can do.  Got to
thank Solid Rock Carriers for putting such a neat deal together for the
Eastern Carolina tracks.�??

Chris Burns, fourth in standings, won in the most recent Eastern Carolina
Late Model Mania series race at Carteret County Speedway, improving his
average so far to 6.25.

However, those four drivers will have plenty of competition of their own.
Along with track regulars such as Jim Kelley, Tyler Matthews and Tyler
Horne, a handful of outsiders are planning to invade the Swansboro, North
Carolina track on Sunday night.  Among those looking to win on Sunday is
Clay Jones, who is undefeated at Carteret County Speedway with three starts
in two different divisions.

In addition to the Eastern Carolina Late Model Mania finale, the Solid Rock
Carriers Labor Day Classic will feature racing for Street Stocks, Mini
Stocks, Legend Cars, U-CARs, Mini Cups and Junior Mini Cups.  The green
flag will fly on the Labor Day Classic at 7pm on Sunday, September 3rd.

*For more information about Carteret County Speedway, visit
www.carteretspeedway.com <http://www.carteretspeedway.com/> or “like�??
Carteret County Speedway on Facebook.
<https://d.docs.live.net/02018db03601752a/facebook.com/carteretcoswy/>*

###
*Andy Marquis*
​
Managing Editor: race22.com
​|
​Reporter: Popular Speed <http://www.popularspeed.com/>​

Media Relations: Southern National Motorsports Park
<http://www.snmpark.com/> | Mason Diaz Racing <http://www.masondiaz24.com/>

Cell: 910.467.6395 | Email: andymarquis@gmail.com | Twitter: @amarquis32
<http://www.twitter.com/amarquis32>