What won the race: In his first career start at East Alabama Motor Speedway, Ethan Dotson of Bakersfield, Ca., took command from Garrett Smith on a lap-10 restart and never looked back en route to a $15,000 payday on opening night of the XR Super Series-sanctioned 50th annual National 100. Dotson took the checkers ahead of Tyler Erb with a commanding 4.652 second lead.

Quotable: “I hate what happened with Garrett (Smith) down there,” Dotson said of contact he had with Smith when he attempted an early pass for the lead. “I mean, I was to his door and trying to clear him on a slider and I hit that slime down there (on the inside of turn one) and just stopped and we got together. It was my fault. I apologize.”

Key notes: Dotson scored his first career XR Super Series victory. ... A caution for a spinning Haiden Cowan set up a restart on the 10th circuit where Dotson took command from Garrett Smith. Dotson's earlier slider attempt in turn one resulted in contact, however, with Smith, who led the opening nine circuits and then retired two laps later after going over the banking in turns one and two with apparent damage from the scrape with Dotson. ... Tyler Erb advanced from the seventh starting spot for a distant runner-up finish. ... Three-time event winner Jonathan Davenport finished third in his first start aboard Kevin Rumley's Longhorn Chassis No.6 since 2016. ... Tim McCreadie placed eighth in his first start driving the Viper/Big Frog Motorsports team's Rocket XR1.2 machine. ... On the eighth circuit J.R. Moseley's No. 99 came to a halt atop turn three with severe left-rear damage; he finished 22nd. ... Kyle Bryant, Montana Dudley and Ricky McClain scratched from the main event lineup. ... Slowed by a pair of cautions, the 50-lap feature lasted 26 minutes with 12 drivers completing the entire distance. ... The two-day show for XRSS competitors concludes with Sunday’s $30,000-to-win finale.

On the move: Cody Overton of Evans, Ga., started 20th and finished sixth.

Winner's sponsors: Dotson's ASD Motorsports Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Torco USA, SRI Performance, American Racing Wheels, H&A Development, Boswell Oil, VP Racing Fuels, Penske Racing Shocks and John Henderson Racing.

Points chase: After EAMS Saturday: 1. Bobby Pierce (967); 2. Devin Moran (929); 3. Ryan Gustin (794); 4. Tyler Erb (628); 5. Mike Marlar (605).

Current weather: Clear, 73°F

Car count: 26

Fast qualifier: Ethan Dotson

Time: 14.019 seconds

Polesitter: Garrett Smith

Heat race winners: Garrett Smith, Jonathan Davenport, Carson Ferguson

Next series race: November 3, East Alabama Motor Speedway (Phenix City, AL) $30,000