What won the race: Pole-starting Ben Watkins of Rock Hill, S.C., led all 50 laps unchallenged to capture Saturday’s Mid-East Super Late Model Series debut at Halifax County Motor Speedway. Watkins beat Christian Thomas to the finish line by 1.789 seconds to earn $10,000 and his first victory on the first-year circuit.

Quotable: "I got into lapped traffic and new here we needed to make quick work of it if we could," Watkins said. "So when I got to (a slower car) I didn't want to get held up too long, so I was trying to be aggressive but not tear the car up. But man, I just felt like everywhere I went was the wrong place to go. Fortunately it worked out where we was able to get — with a caution here or there — and get us back in line."

Key notes: Watkins registered his third overall victory of 2024. His previous successes came on the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series. … Thomas reached second on a lap-31 restart and chased Watkins for the remainder of the distance without offering a serious challenge. … Fifth-starter Benji Hicks took over third place on the race’s final restart on lap 45 and finished there. … Jordan Koehler moved into fifth on the same late-race restart and stayed in the spot to the finish. … Willie Milliken overcame heavy right-front damage during time trials but completed only 14 laps in the feature before retiring. … The race was slowed by four cautions and lasted 40 minutes with eight drivers running at the checkers. ... Carl Vaughan scratched from the main event lineup.

On the move: The race's runner-up finisher Christian Thomas of Wake Forest, N.C., started sixth.

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 Halifax County: 1. Benji Hicks (95); 2. Ben Watkins (88); 3. Ethan Wilson (82); 4. Christian Thomas (74); 5. Brent Robinson (69).

Current weather: Clear, 63°F

Car count: 19

Fast qualifier: Michael Rouse

Time: 15.074 seconds

Polesitter: Ben Watkins

Heat race winners: Ben Watkins, Daniel Tucker, Ethan Wilson

Next series race: July 3, Cherokee Speedway (Gaffney, SC) $10,000