What won the race: Second-starting Taylor Puckett of Greer, S.C., held off Ben Watkins for his first career Coltman Farms Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series victory on Saturday night, leading from flag-to-flag to capture the 35-lap Bill Sharp Memorial at Sumter Speedway. He crossed the finish line 1.190 seconds ahead of Watkins for the $5,000 payday and his first victory of the season.

Key notes: Puckett’s victory — his first-ever in Super Late Model competition — came in his fourth career Carolina Clash feature start. He recorded top-five finishes in two of his previous outings on the tour, placing fourth in 2024 at South Carolina’s Laurens County Speedway and fifth in ’25 at Sumter. … It was his first major touring win since Sept. 1, 2019, a $1,200 Blue Ridge Outlaws stop at Harris Speedway in Rutherfordton, N.C. ... It was his first win of any kind since last July 5, an unsanctioned Limited Late Model victory at Laurens (S.C.) County Speedway. ... Puckett offered special thanks to three key people: Race City Performance’s Don Blackshear for providing him a new 525 engine to use; Lee Cooper at Excel Racing Solutions for building “one of the baddest chassis out there”; and VG Performance’s Vinny Guliani for technical assistance with his Bilstein Shocks. … Watkins reached second place on lap 16 but couldn’t seriously threaten Puckett. … Steve Banal ceded second to Watkins and went on to finish third. ... The event honored Bill Sharp, who simultaneously raced and promoted events at Sumter in the 1970s. ... The 35-lapper lasted 17 minutes with 10 starters completing the distance. ... Carolina Clash competitors are slated to return to Sumter on Oct. 3 for the $5,007-to-win Slick Gibbons Memorial.

On the move: Runner up Ben Watkins of Rock Hill, S.C., started sixth.

Winner's sponsors: Puckett’s Taylor Puckett Racing Excel Chassis carried a Race City Performance 525 engine with sponsorship from Service Transport Inc., Total Skin Solutions, Browning Studio and VG Performance.

Points chase: After Sumter: 1. Ben Watkins (480); 2. Jeremy Steele (386); 3. Steve Banal (298); 4. Adam Yarbrough (210); 5. Christian Thomas (197).

Current weather: Clear, 72°F

Car count: 14

Fast qualifier: Taylor Puckett

Time: 14.474 seconds

Polesitter: Steve Banal

Next series race: April 25, Lavonia Speedway (Lavonia, GA) $0