What won the race: Taking control from early leader Beckham Malone just before Malone slowed with trouble on lap 18, polesitter Ben Watkins of Rock Hill, S.C., led the rest of Saturday's 35-lap Doug Walls Memorial at Friendship Motor Speedway. Wakins led the final 19 laps and beat Benji Hicks by 3.341 seconds for the $5,000 payday, his second Coltman Farms Racing Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series victory of the season and 20th of his career.

Key notes: Watkins moved into sole possession of fifth on the tour's all-time win list with his 20th career triumph, breaking a tie with Chris Ferguson. ... The reigning Carolina Clash champ added to his March 14 Red Rose Rumble victory at Lancaster (S.C.) Motor Speedway, also worth $5,000. ... Twelfth-starting Benji Hicks grabbed second from Jordan Koehler on a lap-23 restart, but never had anything for Watkins; seventh-starting Koehler settled for third after trailing Watkins from lap 18-22. ... Dylan Thornton and Christian Thomas each improved seven positions, finishing sixth and seventh, respectively. ... Fourth-starting Evan Koehler faded to ninth. ... Second-starting Beckham Malone led the opening 16 laps before slowing on the 17th lap, handing the lead to Watkins; Malone pitted under caution but could only rebound to finish 15th. ... Jeremy Steele appeared to slow from 12th on lap 23, triggering the race's third and final yellow flag. ... Gunner Frank and Matthew Nance both retired under the initial stoppage on lap five. ... The 4/10-mile oval was recently purchased by Chuck Melton who returned the facility to its familiar Friendship name after it was formerly known as Ultimate Motorsports Park under Bobby Koehler's ownership. ... The race honored Doug Walls, the father of Jason Walls, owner and founder of the Mid-East Racing Association; Walls died March 25, 2023, at the age of 77. ... It was the first major Late Model event held there in nearly 18 months. The 35-lapper lasted 22 minutes with 16 starters completing the distance. ... Carolina Clash competitors return to Friendship July 18 for another $5,000-to-win event.

On the move: Kaede Loudy of Rogersville, Tenn., started 20th and finished 11th.

Winner's sponsors: Watkins drives a Longhorn by Wesley Page powered by a Clements Racing Engine with sponsorship from Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas, Parks Heating & Cooling, Langley Collision Center, Coltman Farms Racing, Hoopaugh Grading, Sandwood Inc., WP Racing Shocks, Hoosier Tire South, VP Racing Fuels, Allstar Performance, STAKT Products, Craig Industries, Top Quality Siding & Windows and Indocil Arts.

Points chase: After Friendship: 1. Ben Watkins (360); 2. Jeremy Steele (286); 3. Adam Yarbrough (210); 4. Christian Thomas (197); 5. Steve Banal (188).

Current weather: Clear, 46°F

Car count: 30

Fast qualifier: Ben Watkins

Time: 14.905 seconds

Polesitter: Ben Watkins

Consolation race winners: Dylan Thornton, Christian Thomas

Provisional starters: Jake Jackson, Adrian Roscelli

Next series race: April 4, Toccoa Raceway (Toccoa, GA) $5,000