Luke Cooper Inherits Red Clay 602 Late Model Series Victory at Harris Speedway

After apparent winner Dawson Lowe refused tech officials the ability to pull and inspect his motor, Luke Cooper was elevated to the Schaeffer's Oil by Mike Bruner Red Clay 602 Late Model Series win on Saturday night, September 26 at Harris Speedway.  Luke, who started seventh on the grid in the 25-lap headliner, captured his third series victory of the year and was awarded the $2,000 payday following post-race inspection.  The young Woodruff, South Carolina ace has now won three of the last four races and is making a late season push for the series title.

Polesitter John Pursley was credited with a strong runner-up performance on Saturday at the Rutherfordton, North Carolina oval, while Zach Sise started and finished in the third position.  Mitchell Dickerson brought home a fourth place effort, while current Red Clay 602 Late Model Series point leader Cass Fowler claimed the final spot inside of the top five.

A total of 19 Schaeffer’s Oil by Mike Bruner Red Clay 602 Late Model Series competitors were in the pit area at Harris Speedway for the fifteenth round of the 2026 season.  Prior to his disqualification, Dawson Lowe laid down the quickest times in both RaceDay Safety hot laps and Knowles Race Parts and Bodies qualifying.  He then rolled off from the outside of the front row in the main event and led each of the 25 circuits before his stellar evening turned sour in post-race tech.

Next up on the racing calendar for the Schaeffer’s Oil by Mike Bruner Red Clay 602 Late Model Series will be a stop at Winder-Barrow Speedway in Winder, Georgia on Saturday, October 3.  Round sixteen of the tour will shell out a $2,700 first place prize thanks to event sponsor North Georgia Truck and Diesel Service.  Each feature starter is guaranteed at least $150 to take the green flag.  Kenny Collins is the defending race winner, as he captured the checkers last year over a top five that included runner-up Bryan Tullis, Mike Davidson, Evan Bell, and Kevin Fisher.

In the fifteen events completed so far in 2026, only Luke Cooper and Dawson Lowe have reached victory lane on more than one occasion.  Single race winners include Wyatt Coffey, Cody Overton, Bryson Hickman, Nick Deitz, Chris Woods, Booger Brooks, Charles Devine, Pearson Lee Williams, Dale Timms, and Frankie Beard.  Although he has not won yet with the tour this year, Cass Fowler currently sits atop of the latest point standings over Spencer Singleton, Dawson Lowe, Luke Cooper, and Jim Gray.  At season’s end, only the best SIXTEEN races for each driver will count towards the final point tally.

Schaeffer’s Oil by Mike Bruner Red Clay 602 Late Model Series
Round 15 Race Summary
Saturday, September 26
Harris Speedway - Rutherfordton, North Carolina

Schaeffer’s Oil Feature Finish (25 Laps):
1. (7) Luke Cooper $2,000
2. (1) John Pursley $1,000
3. (3) Zach Sise $600
4. (5) Mitchell Dickerson $400
5. (9) Cass Fowler $350
6. (10) Dale Timms $325
7. (8) Luke Clements $300
8. (11) Shun Thomas $280
9. (6) Christian Pitts $260
10. (13) Spencer Singleton $240
11. (4) Eli Reece $220
12. (15) Monk Gulledge $200
13. (19) Jaedyn Altiers $175
14. (18) Josh Mulwee $165
15. (16) Joseph Seyk $155
16. (17) Canaan Clobes $145
17. (12) Dustin Taylor $135
18. (14) Blake Lyons DNS
19. (2) Dawson Lowe DQ

Entries:  19
Lap Leaders:  Dawson Lowe (Laps 1-25)
$100 PPM Racing Products Hard Charger Award:  Luke Cooper
$100 RaceDay Safety Fastest in Hot Laps Award:  Zach Sise
$100 Knowles Race Parts and Bodies Fast Time Award:  John Pursley
$100 Extreme Towing & Recovery Hard Luck Award:  Eli Reece
$100 C&S Auto Electric Long Haul Award:  Spencer Singleton

RaceDay Safety Hot Laps:
Fast Time Overall:  Dawson Lowe 16.652

Knowles Race Parts and Bodies Time Trials:
Fast Time Overall:  Dawson Lowe 16.482

Qualifying - Group A (All Cars Transfer):  1. 9-John Pursley, 16.699[9]; 2. 5-Zach Sise, 16.794[4]; 3. 99-Mitchell Dickerson, 16.838[5]; 4. 57-Luke Cooper, 16.864[1]; 5. 84-Dale Timms, 16.877[6]; 6. C9-Cass Fowler, 16.934[7]; 7. 30-Spencer Singleton, 17.361[8]; 8. 82C-Canaan Clobes, 17.436[3]; 9. 10-Joseph Seyk, 18.189[2]

Qualifying - Group B (All Cars Transfer):  1. 16-Dawson Lowe, 16.482[9]; 2. 82-Eli Reece, 16.765[1]; 3. 1P-Christian Pitts, 16.850[7]; 4. 51-Luke Clements, 16.960[3]; 5. 99T-Shaun Thomas, 16.965[2]; 6. 5T-Dustin Taylor, 16.977[8]; 7. 14-Blake Lyons, 17.079[5]; 8. 1-Monk Gulledge, 17.118[6]; 9. 92-Josh Mulwee, 17.426[4]

2026 Red Clay 602 Late Model Series Point Standings:
1. Cass Fowler - 2364
2. Spencer Singleton - 2176
3. Dawson Lowe - 2076
4. Luke Cooper - 1908
5. Jim Gray - 1696
6. Bryson Hickman - 1480
7. Ryan Clay - 1275
8. John Snow - 1166
9. Charles Devine - 1114
10. Jody Wilson - 1034

2026 Red Clay 602 Late Model Series Schedule:
February 6 - Screven Motor Speedway (Sylvania, GA) - WYATT COFFEY
February 7 - Screven Motor Speedway (Sylvania, GA) - CODY OVERTON
February 28 - Senoia Raceway (Senoia, GA) - $2,500 to win - RAINED OUT
April 2 - I-75 Raceway (Sweetwater, TN) - BRYSON HICKMAN
April 18 - Laurens County Speedway (Laurens, SC) - NICK DEITZ
April 24 - North Georgia Speedway (Chatsworth, GA) - DAWSON LOWE
May 1 - West Alabama Speedway (Winfield, AL) - RAINED OUT
May 2 - Buckshot Speedway (Clanton, AL) - RAINED OUT
May 23 - North Georgia Speedway (Chatsworth, GA) - PPD TO JUNE 18
May 29 - Travelers Rest Speedway (Travelers Rest, SC) - CHRIS WOODS
June 2 - Laurens County Speedway (Laurens, SC) - PPD TO JULY 31
June 18 - North Georgia Speedway (Chatsworth, GA) - PPD TO JUNE 26
June 20 - Cherokee Speedway (Gaffney, SC) - DAWSON LOWE
June 26 - North Georgia Speedway (Chatsworth, GA) - BOOGER BROOKS
July 3 - I-75 Raceway (Sweetwater, TN) - PPD TO SEPTEMBER 19
July 4 - Sugar Creek Raceway (Blue Ridge, GA) - CHARLES DEVINE
July 18 - Screven Motor Speedway (Sylvania, GA) - RAINED OUT
July 19 - Toccoa Raceway (Toccoa, GA) - PPD TO AUGUST 20
July 21 - Senoia Raceway (Senoia, GA) - PEARSON LEE WILLIAMS
July 24 - North Georgia Speedway (Chatsworth, GA) - RAINED OUT
July 31 - Laurens County Speedway (Laurens, SC) - DALE TIMMS
August 1 - Harris Speedway (Rutherfordton, NC) - PPD TO SEPTEMBER 26
August 8 - Winder-Barrow Speedway (Winder, GA) - PPD TO OCTOBER 3
August 20 - Toccoa Raceway (Toccoa, GA) - LUKE COOPER
August 22 - Lavonia Speedway (Lavonia, GA) - FRANKIE BEARD
September 12 - Laurens County Speedway (Laurens, SC) - CANCELED
September 19 - I-75 Raceway (Sweetwater, TN) - LUKE COOPER
September 26 - Harris Speedway (Rutherfordton, NC) - LUKE COOPER
October 3 - Winder-Barrow Speedway (Winder, GA) - $2,700 to win
October 10 - Cherokee Speedway (Gaffney, SC) - $2,000 to win
October 16 - Hartwell Speedway (Hartwell, GA) - $2,000 to win
October 17 - Lavonia Speedway (Lavonia, GA) - $2,500 to win
October 23 - Modoc Speedway (Modoc, SC) - $2,000 to win
October 24 - Modoc Speedway (Modoc, SC) - $2,500 to win
October 31 - North Georgia Speedway (Chatsworth, GA) - $4,000 to win

The Schaeffer’s Oil by Mike Bruner Red Clay 602 Late Model Series would like to thank all of their marketing partners including Schaeffer’s Oil by Mike Bruner, American Racer Tires, PPM Racing Products, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, Extreme Towing and Recovery, Raceday Safety, Chevrolet Performance, Cruise with the Champions, Smith Motors, Faktor Racing Chassis, Styles Services, Virginia Driveline and Differential, C&S Auto Electric, Billings Brothers Autism Awareness, Tuxedo Glass and Mirror, Cruise with the Champions, Capital Custom Paint, Delph Communications, and Peeping Dragon Photography.

Any questions concerning the series can be pointed to either Walter Tapp at 864-382-9957 or Ray Cook at 828-360-5353.  More information on the tour can be found online at www.RedClaySeries.com.

About Schaeffer’s Oil by Mike Bruner:
Schaeffer's Specialized Lubricants:  synthetic motor oils, hydraulic fluids, and diesel fuel additives have achieved a world-class reputation for improving engine performance and fuel economy, but their diverse product line includes all types of industrial lubricants, industrial greases, and industrial oils as well as specialty items like their chain lubes and degreasers.  Founded in 1839, their philosophy is to provide advanced lubricants for improved performance, reliability, and fuel economy. 

From Dallas, Georgia, Mike Bruner brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table with a background in equipment sales and operations that spans over two decades.  He has worked with two construction equipment manufacturers and started his own company in 2009, focusing on construction, grading, and hauling.  His company has been a Schaeffer customer for many years, and in 2024, he joined the Schaeffer’s Oil team as a full-time sales representative.  Learn more or connect with Mike by logging onto www.schaefferoil.com/mikebruner.

Media Contact:  Ryan Delph - Delph Communications
www.DelphCommunications.com

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