Carson Loftin crossed the finish line in the first position after the 99-lap Robert Jeffreys Memorial race for the SMART Modified Tour at Sophia, North Carolina’s Caraway Speedway on Sunday night. Loftin, who reunited with the Grady Jeffreys’ owned Shady Grady Racing Team for the event, celebrated with family and crew in victory lane. However, after post race technical inspection, SMART Officials ruled that the No. 15 Modified had failed inspection, resulting in the win being taken away. 

According to SMART Modified Tour officials, the tech failure was due to an unapproved part on the engine. 

FloRacing has learned that the unapproved part was a “check valve” that had been added to the Spec Motor and that SMART Teams had been told that the part was not allowed. We have also learned that the Shady Grady team is appealing the ruling.

Luke Baldwin, the defending champion of the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic, has been declared the winner of the event. It is Baldwin’s third win of the 2025 SMART season.  

APPEAL DECISION AFTER CARTERET INCIDENT

The SMART Modified Tour came to a decision about the appeals after last week’s penalties following the Carteret Clash incident between Jonny Kievman and the No. 02 of Joey Coulter’s team. The official statement reads:  

The SMART Modified Tour announced the results of the Appeal Committee hearings for the penalties involving Jonny Kievman and Harold Holly following the August 30, 2025 event at Carteret County Speedway (NC).

After review by the Appeal Committee, consisting of of Tom Buzze, Jeff Hammond, and Richard Hall, the following rulings were issued:

• Section 10-8.1, Member Conduct, B(3): Intentionally damaging another vehicle under yellow or red flag conditions

- John Kievman (48 modified) – Suspension extended to the remainder of the 2025 SMART Modified season.

• Section 10-8(G) / Section 7-1.1(D)(1) / Section 7-1.2.1(4): Crew Chief responsibility and prohibition on entering the racing surface

- Harold Holly – Fine modified to $150 for each crew member (02 modified) who entered the track surface. No probation imposed.

The board for SMART met on Friday, September 5, in Winston-Salem, NC.

BALDWIN LEADS POINTS AS PLAYOFFS LOOM

Luke Baldwin is the current points leader heading into the final race before the SMART Playoffs kick off.  The last race before the playoffs takes place on Saturday September 13 at Virginia’s ultra-fast Dominion Raceway. The fourth annual Flying VA Classic at Dominion pays homage to Ray Hendrick and his family’s enduring legacy to Modified racing. The race also plays a pivotal role in the SMART Mod Tour season. 

Five drivers will leave Dominion eligible for the three-race SMART Playoff that will culminate in a three-driver Championship finale on October 18th at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Race one of the Playoffs is a daytime race, The Mod Squad Nationals at Franklin County Raceway in Callaway, Virginia on September 20. Playoff race number two will take place at Hudson, North Carolina’s Tri-County Raceway on October 11. The Freeman Hoosier 99 at Tri-County will determine the three-drivers, the SMART 3, that will race for a Championship at North Wilkesboro’s Frontier Natural Gas 99. 

All races for the SMART Modified Tour and CARS Tour are broadcast live on FloRacing.