What won the race: Using an inside move out of turn four to overtake early leader Kyle Bryant on lap three, fourth-starting Dalton Cook of Smiths Station, Ala., paced the final 28 circuits to win Friday's $3,000 weekend opener at Southern Raceway. Cook scored his second Southern All Star Series victory of the season and third of his career.

Quotable: “It feels real good (to win), because I’m a little bit less in debt than I was when I showed up,” Cook said. “Thank the good Lord for getting us here and having a good night of racing; nothing crazy went on tonight, everybody goes home the way they showed up. I want to dedicate this race to a family member of mine who’s having some health issues, we just found out and I just hope that everything turns out good.”

Key notes: Following a lap-12 incident with 2023 series champion Caleb Gay, sixth-starting Bo Slay finished second. Gay settled for 10th after spinning and tagging the field. ... Tenth-starting Luke Bennett regained third on a lap-20 restart and rounded out the podium. ... After running as high as second in the early laps, Colton Leyendecker reclaimed fourth on lap 26, dropping Brenden Smith to complete the top-five finishers. ... Returning to the site of his first career SAS win, Billy Franklin improved two positions and finished sixth. ... Cruz Skinner gained five spots and finished seventh. ... The first caution flew on lap four for a Mark Clifton solo spin. ... After leading the first two laps from the pole, Kyle Bryant slowed from third on the ensuing restart to bring out the second yellow. Bryant was unable to continue. ... Jeremy Pate slowed on lap 19 to draw the fourth and final stoppage. ... Friday's feature lasted 29 minutes, with 13 running at the finish. ... Cale Finley scratched for the night while Shay Miller appeared to lose an engine after his first qualifying lap was good for 11th fastest. Miller also scratched. ... The Southern All Star Series concludes its 2023 season with Saturday's $5,000-to-win weekend finale at Southern. ... Watch live on Hunt the Front TV.

On the move: Luke Bennett of Ethel, La., started 10th and finished third.

Winner's sponsors: Cook’s Rocket Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Riverside, River Side Window & Door, Cook’s Heating & Air, Parker’s Towing, Mars Hill Truck Sales, C&S Auto Electric, Sanders Logging, T&T Utilities, Hoosier Tire South, WrapTech and CP Diesel Performance.

Points chase: Before Southern Friday: 1. x-Caleb Gay (1,362); 2. Dan Cox (888); 3. Billy Franklin (712); 4. Matthew Brocato (590); 5. Dalton Cook (554). x-clinched series championship

Current weather: Broken Clouds, 63°F

Car count: 22

Fast qualifier: Kyle Bryant

Time: 14.649 seconds

Polesitter: Kyle Bryant

Next series race: November 18, Southern Raceway (Milton, FL) $5,000