What won the race: Polesitter Chase Edge of LaFayette, Ala., led all 40 laps of Friday's weekend opener at Waycross Motor Speedway, besting Cecil Eunice of Bradsher, Ga., for a $2,000 NeSmith victory.

Quotable: "My crew was giving me signals telling me how big of a lead I had and I slowed down a little to manage my tires,” Edge said. “Cecil was able to close in when we got to lapped traffic, so then I knew I had to pick the pace back up again. The car was working well, as I could drive it anywhere I needed to and get through the lapped cars.”

Key notes: The race was slowed by two cautions. ... A lap-29 yellow flew for Ryan Crane when he stalled on the frontstretch. Sixth-running Cody Martin spun in turn two on the ensuing restart. ... Saturday's $2,500-to-win program will mark the NeSmith Racing Series 200th event since the series inception in 2005.

On the move: Jeremy Faircloth of Swainsboro, Ga., advanced from the 11th starting position to finish sixth.

Points chase: Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Tenn., has 484 points to lead Walker Arthur (464) and Chase Edge (462).

Car count: 17

Fast qualifier: Chase Edge

Time: 17.748 seconds

Next series race: April 11, Waycross Motor Speedway (Waycross, GA) $2,000