What won the race: Taking command from Bubba Roling on lap seven, John Ruggiero Jr. of Lincolnton, N.C., paced the remaining distance to win the 30-lap Rogers-Dabbs Crate Racin' USA and Mid-East 604 Series co-sanctioned World Short Track Championship feature at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. Ruggiero beat Layton Sullivan to the finish line by 1.223 seconds to earn for $4,000 for his second career WSTC victory.

Quotable: “Once we got out in front, I got a little scared with Trent (Ivey) behind me because he’s won here so many times,” Ruggiero said. “This one goes out to all the Longhorn (Chassis) guys for giving me an opportunity to drive one of these. It’s been an awesome year, and I hope we can keep things moving forward from here.”

Key notes: Ruggiero's triumph was his second career in the World Short Track Championship, having also won the event in 2021, as well as his inaugural CRUSA victory. ... The win gives Ruggiero the 2024 Mid-East 604 Series title. ... Third-starting Layton Sullivan piloted a Dennis Franklin-owned No. 2 to a runner-up finish. ... Seeking his third straight victory in the 604 Crate portion of the event, Trent Ivey of Union, S.C., ended up third. ... Jeremy Steele rallied six positions to finish fourth after starting 10th. ... Second-starting Bubba Roling paced the opening six circuits before fading back to fifth. ... A multicar pileup with six laps remaining ended the night for Matt Henderson, Travis Steele, Austin Yarbrough and Jody Knowles. ... 17th-place finisher Mario Gresham of Rome, Ga., who led all 15 laps to win Thursday’s $600 championship invitational prelim, was awarded Sportsman of the Year during pre-race ceremonies. ... The 30-lapper was slowed by three cautions and lasted 21 minutes, with 14 starters completing the entire distance.

On the move: Jimmy Thomas of Phenix City, Ala., started 21st and finished seventh.

Winner's sponsors: Ruggiero's Longhorn Factory Team Chassis is powered by an Earl Ramey Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from University of Northwestern Ohio, Coltman Farms, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Dustpods, VP Racing Fuels, Bilstein Shocks, SRI Performance and Nightowl Design.

Points chase: CRUSA after Charlotte: 1. Jimmy Thomas (1,256); 2. Matt Dooley (1,190); 3. Matt Henderson (1,174); 4. Bubba Roling (1,160); 5. Mario Gresham (1,144). Mid-East 604 after Charlotte: 1. John Ruggiero Jr. (254); 2. Jacob Brown (253); 3. Hunter Kohn (233); 4. Jeremy Steele (213); 5. Dillon Brown (203).

Current weather: Overcast, 72°F

Car count: 60

Fast qualifier: Trent Ivey

Time: 16.210 seconds

Polesitter: Colby Quick

Heat race winners: John Ruggiero Jr., Bubba Roling, Austin Yarbrough, Layton Sullivan, Trent Ivey, Colby Quick

Consolation race winners: Travis Steele, Ricky Greene, Jimmy Thomas

Provisional starters: Mario Gresham, Nathan Dallas, John Winge, Dalton Dowdy

Next series race: November 22, Needmore Speedway (Norman Park, GA) $10,000