What won the race: In a 50-lap race that saw four different leaders, sixth-starting Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Tenn., overtook third-starting Brent Barrett of Cleveland, Miss., on the final lap and nipped him at the line for a $2,500 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. The front duo finished just .004 seconds apart in a photo finish.

Quotable: “That’s the way I wanted to win the championship with a close side-by-side finish,” Johnson said. “I hope the fans enjoyed that because both Brent and I were up on the wheel to make it happen. It looked like Brent broke something on the rear of his car, but he was driving it as hard as he could, and he didn’t make this win easy for me. He did a great job.”

Key notes: Steven Roberts jumped out the early lead with Chase Edge in pursuit. ... The first of three caution flags flew for Chris Noah on lap 14. ... On lap 21, Edge got a run on Roberts on the outside coming off the second turn. Running side-by-side down the backstretch, the two lead cars made contact. Roberts hit the third turn guard rail and Edge spun to the inside to bring out the caution flag. Roberts was charged with the caution flag and pitted for repairs before tagging the tail, while Edge inherited the lead. ... Edge held the point for just one lap before Paul Jorgensen and Hunter Carter tangled for the final caution. ... Under the lap-22 yellow, Edge's car slowed and would not re-fire, ending his night and handing Barrett the lead. ... Barrett would hold the point until the final lap, leading by as much as a straightaway at times. ... After battling with Johnson for several laps, Barrett suffered a broken left-rear shock on the final lap. Earlier in the race, he suffered a broken visor on his helmet. ... The winning Johnson used an outside run to overtake Barrett and lead only the final lap. ... Johnson set a tour record with his eighth NeSmith victoy of 2014; he became the tour's fourth different winner in as many events at Golden Isles. ... Friday's event was the first of the NeSmith tour's two-day Showdown on the Coast weekend, which features 50-lap events paying $2,500-to-win on both Friday and Saturday nights.

On the move: Johnny Stokes of Columbus, Miss., started 14th and finished fifth.

Winner's sponsors: Johnson's MasterSbilt Race Car is sponsored by Appleton Power Rack & Pinions, FG Lumber, Hoosier Tire, NeSmith Chevrolet, Smith Competition Fire Systems and VP Racing Fuels.

Points chase: With his victory, Johnson clinched the 2014 NeSmith championship. Chris Noah of Rainbow City, Ala., is the tour's Rookie of the Year.

Car count: 18

Fast qualifier: Chase Edge

Time: 16.742 seconds

Polesitter: Chase Edge

Next series race: November 21, Bubba Raceway Park (Ocala, FL) $10,000