What won the race: Repelling a mid-race challenge from Brandon Overton before overcoming a late restart, Ryan Gustin of Marshalltown, Iowa, led all 50 laps to win Saturday's King of the Mountain at Smoky Mountain Speedway. Gustin earned $15,000 as he notched his first career Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series victory and his second overall triumph of the season — his first since capturing January's $7,500 Ice Bowl at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala.

Quotable: "I kept seeing Brandon (Overton) poke his nose down there. I knew that he was obviously going to be good, him and Dale (McDowell) both," Gustin said. "I knew I was stuck down the bottom. I was afraid to get out there and get in that dust, but it held us every time.”

Key notes: Dale McDowell regained the runner-up spot on a lap-43 restart and trailed Gustin the final eight laps, finishing 1.774 seconds back. ... The third-starting Overton pursued Gustin for laps 2-42 before giving way to McDowell in the closing laps and settling for third. ... Chris Ferguson improved nine positions and finished fourth. ... Zack Mitchell, winner of Friday's $5,000 Carolina Clash stop at Lavonia (Ga.) Speedway, started 10th and finished seventh. ... Trey Mills gained seven spots and rounded out the top-10 finishers. ... Twelfth-starting Sam Seawright climbed as high as fourth on lap 32 before appearing to break a rearend on the 45th circuit, causing his car to back into the turn-one wall and end his night. ... Cla Knight drew the race's second caution when he slapped the turn-one wall and grinded to a stop on lap 42. ... After winning his heat and starting the 50-lapper in fourth, Scott Bloomquist left the racing surface to draw the race's first stoppage on lap two; he continued for three more laps before pulling off. ... Saturday's King of the Mountain feature was slowed by three separate incidents and lasted 28 minutes, with 18 competitors completing the distance and 23 running at the finish.

On the move: Joseph Joiner of Milton, Fla., started 19th and finished ninth.

Winner's sponsors: Gustin’s Todd Cooney-owned Infinity by Wells Chassis is powered by a Jay Dickens Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Alan’s Seamless Gutters, Karl Auto Group, May Properties, Murty Farms, Mark Hambelton Ford, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil, FK Rod Ends, Swift Springs, VP Race Fuels, Bilstein Shocks, Dynamic Drivelines and Performance Bodies.

Points chase: After Smoky Mountain: 1. Brandon Overton (284); 2. Chris Ferguson (270); 3. Joseph Joiner (262); 4. Ashton Winger (258); 5. Cory Hedgecock (254); 6. Sam Seawright (248); 7. Trey Mills (246); 8. Zack Mitchell (238); 9. Josh Putnam (234); 10. Wil Herrington (210).

Current weather: Few Clouds, 66°F

Car count: 44

Fast qualifier: Dale McDowell

Time: 13.798 seconds

Polesitter: Ryan Gustin

Heat race winners: Dale McDowell, Brandon Overton, Scott Bloomquist, Ryan Gustin

Consolation race winners: Trey Mills, Wil Herrington

Provisional starters: Josh Putnam, Jackson Hise, Josh Henry, Cameron Weaver, Bo Slay, Trent Ivey

Next series race: May 3, Ultimate Motorsports Park (Elkin, NC) $10,000