What won the race: Ben Watkins of Rock Hill, S.C., captured a commanding flag-to-flag victory in Saturday's 40-lap 40th annual Stick Elliott Memorial at Cherokee Speedway. Watkins swept the evening for his second Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series victory of the season and the 14th of his career, collecting $5,000. It's his second straight Stick Elliott Memorial triumph.

Key notes: Second-starting Casey Roberts faded as low as fifth on a lap-13 restart before climbing back to grab the runner-up spot on the 18th circuit, pursuing Watkins for the final 23 laps and finishing 1.740 seconds back. ... Making a rare Super Late Model start Dillon Brown trailed Watkins from lap 13-17 before giving way to Roberts and settling for third. ... Adam Yarbrough and Dennis Franklin each advanced five positions, finishing fourth and fifth. ... Benji Hicks ran as high as fifth in the early going before he and Kenny Collins saw their races end on lap 17 while battling inside the top 10. ... Saturday's event honors Gene “Stick Elliott” Daves, a Carolina racer who amassed more than 400 career feature victories before dying on Nov. 1, 1980, at the age of 46; the race was slowed by seven cautions and lasted 50 minutes, with nine drivers completing the distance.

On the move: Michael Brown of Pageland, S.C., started 19th and finished ninth.

Winner's sponsors: Watkins drives a Longhorn by Wesley Page Chassis powered by a Clements Racing Engine with sponsorship from WP Racing Shocks, Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas, Sandwood Company, Craig Industries, John Page Racing, Langleys Collision Center, Bilstein Shocks, VP Racing Fuels, Allstar Performance and Collins Signs.

Points chase: After Cherokee: 1. Ben Watkins (455); 2. Adam Yarbrough (409); 3. Michael Brown (384); 4. Carson Brown (366); 5. Dennis Franklin (362).

Current weather: Broken Clouds, 70°F

Car count: 22

Fast qualifier: Ben Watkins

Time: 15.174 seconds

Polesitter: Ben Watkins

Next series race: May 18, County Line Raceway (Elm City, NC) $5,000