What won the race: Taking the lead with an outside move in turn two on lap 11, Dalton Cook of Columbus, Ga., paced the final 30 circuits at I-75 Raceway on Saturday, winning the Dirt Slingers Classic feature and $5,000. The victory is the first of Cook's career with the XR Southern All Star Dirt Series and the largest payday of his career.

Quotable: "It feels really good, I was struggling for the most part, all year. We struggled pretty much all summer," Cook said. "I did the (Schaeffer's Southern Nationals) and made myself look bad. Like I tell folks, I already had the clown suit on, so everything worked out. I'm kinda speechless right now. I can't really wrap my head around it."

Key notes: Ninth-starting Eli Beets of Knoxville, Tenn., was in hot pursuit of Cook in the closing laps, but settled for the runner-up position, 2.352 seconds back. ... After setting a new track record in qualifying and leading the first 10 laps from the pole, Sam Seawright of Rainsville, Ala., finished third. ... Tenth-starting Billy Franklin of Calera, Ala., advanced five positions and finished fifth. ... After running inside the top-five all race, Payton Freeman of Commerce, Ga., suffered a flat right-rear tire on lap 36 and pulled off the track, finishing eighth. ... Series points leader Matt Dooley of Fayetteville, Ga., suffered engine problems during qualifying, then broke his rear suspension on lap one, relegating him to finish 16th. ... Twenty-one XR Southern All Star Dirt Series Late Models originally checked-in at the gate on Saturday, but five left before any on-track action after a lengthy weather delay. ... Saturday's feature, the first SAS event in six weeks following a summer break, was slowed by three cautions and lasted 18 minutes, with seven competitors completing 40 laps.

On the move: Eli Beets of Knoxville, Tenn., started ninth and finished second.

Winner's sponsors: Cook’s Rocket Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by River Side Window & Door Comopany, Extreme Auto and Truck Repair, Mars Hill Truck Sales, Parker's Towing, ML Performance, CP Diesel Performance and WrapTech.

Points chase: Before I-75: 1. Matt Dooley (978); 2. Billy Franklin (928); 3. Shay Miller (806); 4. Josh Putnam (668); 5. Christian Hanger (384).

Current weather: Broken Clouds, 73°F

Car count: 21

Fast qualifier: Sam Seawright

Time: 13.492 seconds

Polesitter: Sam Seawright

Next series race: August 27, Buckshot Speedway (Clanton, AL) $4,000