What won the race: Muscling his way by race-long leader Michael Brown with a physical turn-three slider, fourth-starting Zack Mitchell of Enoree, S.C., paced the final 24 laps to win Saturday's $20,000 Rock Gault Memorial at Cherokee Speedway, securing his first victory on the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series.

Quotable: “I just hope I cleared Michael (Brown) pretty good there when I slid him, but man, this thing was on a rail," Mitchell said. "I knew when we fired off, I was like, 'Man, we got something for them.’ I felt like I had to drive my ass off for that one, but I guess it was all worth it.”

Key notes: Brown, of Lancaster, S.C., led the opening 26 laps from the pole before losing the lead to Mitchell and eventually slowing with a flat tire to cause the race's fourth stoppage on lap 39. Brown recovered to finish eighth after changing the flat. ... Fifth-starting Ross Bailes grabbed the runner-up spot on a lap-45 restart and pursued Mitchell the final six laps, taking the checkers 1.449 seconds back. ... Ashton Winger ran as high as second until giving way to Bailes on the late-race restart and settling for third. ... Trent Ivey battled Ben Watkins in the closing laps and prevailed to round out the top five. ... Brandon Overton pitted twice during early-race cautions as he appeared to fight front suspension issues. Overton soldiered to a 12th-place effort. ... Chris Ferguson slowed from third to bring out the race's third caution on lap 15. Fergy was unable to continue and required a push to the pits. ... The event honored former Cherokee Speedway owner and promoter, Edgar “Rock” Gault Jr. who died in 2016. ... The race was slowed by five cautions and lasted 34 minutes, with 18 competitors completing 50 laps.

On the move: Reigning series champ Josh Putnam of Florence, Ala., started 24th and finished seventh.

Winner's sponsors: Mitchell’s Longhorn Chassis by Wells is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Eubanks Oil, Clary Hood, Inc., SoCar Chemical, Charles West Grading, Rolling Pines Lawn & Landscaping, Earnhardt Technologies Group, Hoosier Tire, VP Racing Fuels, Fox Racing Shox and Big A’s Custom Graphics.

Points chase: After Cherokee: 1. Brandon Overton (732); 2. Sam Seawright (668); 3. Ashton Winger (650); 4. Joseph Joiner (640); 5. Josh Putnam (636); 6. Zack Mitchell (634); 7. Trey Mills (632); 8. Chris Ferguson (598); 9. Wil Herrington (580); 10. Jackson Hise (546).

Current weather: Clear, 81°F

Car count: 35

Fast qualifier: Brandon Overton

Time: 14.880 seconds

Polesitter: Michael Brown

Heat race winners: Michael Brown, Chris Ferguson, Brandon Overton, Zack Mitchell

Consolation race winners: Sam Seawright, Casey Roberts

Provisional starters: Trey Mills, Josh Putnam, Jackson Hise, Cla Knight, Josh Henry

Next series race: July 6, Senoia Raceway (Senoia, GA) $20,000