What won the race: Taking advantage when race-long leader Vic Hill got into the turn-one fence with 13 laps remaining, fellow front-row starter Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., assumed command and paced the rest of the way to capture Saturday night's 40-lap Schaeffer's Fall Nationals opener at Smoky Mountain Speedway. Marlar earned $5,000 after beating Austin Kirkpatrick to the finish line by several car lengths.

Quotable: “Dale (McDowell) was all over me and showed me the bottom (was the optimum groove), and then I’m really impressed with the 11 car (Kirkpatrick). He was really strong. I just kind of held him off there and got in the right groove,” Marlar said. “I couldn’t really understand what happened to Vic (Hill). He was above me and just kind of went out of sight. Vic, man, he had the car to beat too. He just made a little flub up.”

Key notes: Marlar recorded his first-ever Schaeffer's Fall Nationals triumph. ... Hill’s downfall on lap 27 came when he slid high in turn one and scraped the wall moments after rubbing together with a lapped machine at the other end of the track. He held on to finish fourth. … Kirkpatrick nosed underneath Marlar several times in the late stages but settled for second in his self-designed AK Performance car. “It was an unexpectedly good run,” he said. … McDowell briefly nosed ahead of Hill for the lead early in the race before losing second to Marlar. He hung tough for a podium finish but said McDowell and Kirkpatrick were “a little better there at the end.” … During his post-race interview McDowell sent thoughts and prayers to his fellow racer and good friend Rick Eckert, whose 5-year-old grandson suffered serious burns in a freak pit-area Saturday night at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway. … The race’s biggest incident came on the original start when four cars tangled in turn four, including Robby Moses and Jadon Frame. … Pierce McCarter finished 11th driving the MasterSbilt house car.

On the move: Ocala, Fla.'s Kirkpatrick started 10th and finished second.

Winner's sponsors: Marlar’s Rocket Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and sponsored by Dell Equipment Sales, Rockets Convenience Plus, BruceBilt Performance, Tri-Rivers Logging and RS Equipment Sales & Rentals

Points chase: The tour opens with a weekend doubleheader.

Current weather: Broken Clouds, 75°F

Car count: 23

Fast qualifier: Mike Marlar

Time: 15.927 seconds

Polesitter: Vic Hill

Heat race winners: Stacy Boles, Camaron Marlar

Next series race: September 6, Tazewell Speedway (Tazewell, TN) $4,400