What won the race: Inheriting the point when majority leader Ross Bailes was eliminated on lap 34, ninth-starting Max McLaughlin of Mooresville, N.C., paced the final two circuits of Saturday's 42nd annual Gaston County Shrine Race at Carolina Speedway. McLaughlin, making just his second Late Model start of the season, beat fast qualifier Steve Banal by 1.046 seconds on a two-lap dash for the $4,000 payday and his first career Coltman Farms Racing Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series victory.

Key notes: McLaughlin captured his first victory since June 19, 2024, a DIRTcar Summer Nationals event at Quincy (Ill.) Raceway. ... His only other start this season came July 21 at Senoia (Ga.) Raceway on the Schaeffer's Southern Nationals. ... Polesitter Ross Bailes led 20 laps (14-33) before retiring on the 34th lap just after fifth-running Trent Ivey slowed a lap earlier, drawing the race's fifth and final caution of the night. ... Bailes, Gray Parton and Donovan Jackson all retired under the lap-34 stoppage; Bailes was credited with 13th, the first starter who failed to finish. ... Second-starting Steve Banal led the opening 13 laps before giving way to Bailes, but never slipped below third, before eventually regaining second on the lap-34 restart. ... Twelfth-starting Christian Thomas moved into third on the late restart and completed the podium finishers. ... Tyler Carpenter started 11th and finished fifth in his debut aboard the Cody Sommers-owned No. 13 DRT Chassis house car. ... Besides the lap-34 yellow flag for Bailes and Ivey, the race was delayed 12 minutes before a lap was completed after an opening-lap tangle that eliminated Benji Hicks and Anthony Sanders. ... Adam Yarbrough retired under the second stoppage on lap five before ninth-running Braden Jones was eliminated under the third slowdown on the 17th lap. ... The fourth caution on lap 21 ended the night for fourth-running Michael Brown and 13th-running Matthew Nance. ... The 35-lapper lasted 37 minutes with 12 starters completing the distance. ... An auction was held to benefit the Gaston County Shrine Club; more than $1,000,000 has been raised over the event’s 54-year history. ... Michael Marlowe scratched after hot laps. ... Carolina is slated to host the Blue Ridge Outlaw Late Model Series twice more this season with $3,000-to-win programs on Aug. 28 and Oct. 2.

On the move: Jordan Koheler of Mount Airy, N.C., started 16th and finished fourth.

Winner's sponsors: McLaughlin’s Glenn Styres Racing Longhorn Chassis is sponsored by Kraft Street Muffler, The Drip Lab, Chantarellie Promotions, Ohsweken Speedway, Buck Down Boys, Apex Motorsports Inc. and Millbridge Print Shop.

Points chase: Before Carolina: 1. Ben Watkins (808); 2. Jeremy Steele (579); 3. Willie Milliken (402); 4. Spencer Liggon (369); 5. Christian Thomas (351).

Current weather: Clear, 77°F

Car count: 26

Fast qualifier: Steve Banal

Time: 14.962 seconds

Polesitter: Ross Bailes

Next series race: August 15, Cherokee Speedway (Gaffney, SC) $5,000