What won the race: Two-time series champ Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., outdueled three-time champ Randy Weaver of Crossville, Tenn., on Saturday to capture the first half of a Southern All Star doubleheader at East Alabama Motor Speedway's 37th annual Alabama State Championships.

Quotable: "That was great. That was some real racing right there. That was fun, clean racing with them guys," said Madden, who led the final 11 laps. "We definitely were a little better on tire than them guys were, but I couldn't keep up with 'em on the starts. I was a little concerned about track position on the restarts, holding my own, but it came around to us and we was able to get up on the top side and get going."

Key notes: Madden won his second straight series event and 46th of his car, second on the all-time series list. ... Fifteen drivers completed 40 laps. ... The Southern All Stars run another $4,000-to-win event Sunday. ... Besides the Southern All Stars, EAMS is hosting $5,000-to-win events for both Limited and Crate Late Models. ... Clint Smith is among drivers planning to complete in all three divisions.

Winner's sponsors: Madden's Longhorn Chassis has a Clements Racing Engine and is sponsored by Century Plastics, Crowder Trucking, Cushman Paint & Body, Modern Images, Allstart Performance, Crescent Moon Homes, LLC, Stroble Mini Storage, Penske Racing Shocks, Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Race Fuels, Worley Monument and Henderson Amusement

Points chase: Entering the weekend, Riley Hickman of Ooltewah, Tenn., had 1,070 points to lead Dillon Tidmore (842).

Car count: 35

Fast qualifier: Randy Weaver

Time: 14.761 seconds

Polesitter: Randy Weaver

Next series race: September 27, East Alabama Motor Speedway (Phenix City, AL) $4,000