What won the race: Fourth-starting Christian Thomas of Wake Forest, N.C., led the final 35 laps and cruised to win the inaugural Racing for Heroes Freedom 50 at Fayetteville Motor Speedway, collecting $5,000 on the Fast Unified Engine Late Model Series.

Key notes: Saturday's victory was the third of Thomas' career, with the FUEL series and his second win at Fayetteville this season. ... Thomas won by 0.561 seconds over Russell Erwin of Beaverdam, Va. … The feature was slowed by multiple caution flags and lasted just over 30 minutes. ... Only the top-10 finishers were able to complete all 50 laps. ... Dustin Mitchell of Pine Level, N.C., continues to post a series-best three FUEL victories in 2020, but settled for a sixth place finish on Saturday. ... After winning at Fayetteville earlier this season, Dean Bowen of Whiteville, N.C., saw his night end just before the final caution flag on lap 47, relegating him to finish 12th. ... It was the FUEL series' third visit of the season to Fayetteville and the 12th visit of all-time. ... Fayetteville’s grandstands were open to fans for the first time since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Spring.

On the move: Skeeter Liles of Bailey, N.C., started 16th and finished ninth.

Winner's sponsors: Thomas drives a Sherrill and Miranda Sewell-owned Rocket Chassis powered by a Collie Engine and sponsored by Sewell Logging, J.S. Sewell Hauling and Bobby Taylor Oil Company.

Points chase: Entering the event, Russell Erwin (872 points) of Beaverdam, Va., led Dustin Mitchell (826), Robbie Emory (822), Matthew Bissette (794) and Michael Rouse (790).

Current weather: Overcast, 73°F

Car count: 19

Fast qualifier: Christian Thomas

Time: 14.984 seconds

Polesitter: Kyle Hardy

Next series race: October 16, County Line Raceway (Elm City, NC) $5,000