What won the race: Scooting underneath and powering by race-long leader Tyler Erb on lap 19, third-starting Mike Palasini Jr. of Leland, Miss., led the rest of Friday's 30-lap Gumbo Nationals opener at Greenville Speedway. Palasini powered to the $5,000 payday, earning his seventh career Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series victory and his first since June 4, 2022, at Outlaw Speedway in Perkinston, Miss. It was his third career MSCCS triumph at Greenville (2019, '21).

Quotable: “That was a good (race). Terbo had a good car from the get go … I kinda had to get some heat in the tires,” Palasini said. “(Tyler) Erb was good, we just started pushing down in (turns) one and two a little bit, started picking him up. I found a good groove there, could roll that bottom, I think that’s where I was better than him at.”

Key notes: Palasini eyes his second straight Gumbo Nationals sweep at Greenville after earning more than $15,000 across both nights there last year. ... It was his first win of any kind since last year's Gumbo Nationals finale. ... Tyler Erb led the opening 18 laps from the pole before giving way to Palasini and finishing 2.085 seconds back. ... Points leader Brian Rickman regained third on the lap-nine restart, finishing one spot better than his nearest challenger in the standings, Chad Thrash, who took fourth on the lap-25 restart. ... Thrash, of Meridian, Miss., trails Rickman by more than 40 points entering Saturday's season finale. ... Timothy Culp and Payton Freeman each slipped by Shane Stephens on the final lap, finishing fifth and sixth. ... Ross Camponovo soldiered to an eighth-place result after tangling with the lapped car of Ryan Wilson while running third. The lap-nine spin drew the race's second stoppage; Wilson did not continue. ... Rick Rickman pulled off from sixth on lap five to become the first retiree. ... Solo spins by Henry Gustavus caused slowdowns on a lap-nine restart attempt and again on lap 25 for the final yellow flag of the night. ... The 30-lap Gumbo Nationals opener lasted 25 minutes, with 14 competitors completing the distance.

On the move: Cruz Skinner of Oxford, Ala., started 15th and finished ninth.

Winner's sponsors: Palasini’s Doug Showah-owned Bob Pierce Race Car is powered by a Pro Power Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Palasini Motorsports, The Tint Man, M&D Aviation, Palasini Farms, Hanos Dirt Works, Inc., L&L Flying Service, Fratesi Grocery, Greenville Steel Sales, Monster Mosquito Control, Pro Green Lawn Care, LLC, Hoosier Tire and HPG Wraps.

Points chase: Before Greenville Friday: 1. Brian Rickman (1,245); 2. Chad Thrash (1,205); 3. Hunter Lewis (1,065); 4. Ross Camponovo (1,040); 5. Derrick Nichols (1,000).

Current weather: Clear, 75°F

Car count: 28

Fast qualifier: Tyler Erb

Time: 15.364 seconds

Polesitter: Tyler Erb

Heat race winners: Tyler Erb, Shane Stephens, Mike Palasini Jr., Ross Camponovo

Consolation race winners: Derrick Nichols

Provisional starters: Ryan Wilson, Bo Slay

Next series race: October 5, Greenville Speedway (Greenville, MS) $10,000