Key notes: Rogers-Dabbs Crate Racin’ USA Series competitors invade Needmore Speedway for the 13th annual Early Bird 50. … The two-day event unofficially kicks off with Thursday’s open practice session from 7-10 p.m.; pits open at 4 ($20 admission), free grandstand seating. Racing action begins with Friday’s time trials and heat races, preceding Saturday’s consolations and 50-lap, $10,000-to-win feature. … Points leader Jimmy Thomas of Phenix City, Ala., narrowly beat Hunter Peacock to win 2022’s Early Bird, his second event victory after leading the final 39 laps to win the previous year, clinching the 2021 CRUSA title. … Cody Overton of Evans, Ga., led the final 28 laps to win last year’s $10,000 top prize. … Reigning series champ Mark Whitener of Middleburg, Fla., has three Needmore victories since last May, including back-to-back Gene Maine Memorial triumphs, worth more than $13,000. … Jesse Sobbing of Malvern, Iowa, is making his return to the seat since July 13 after undergoing triple fusion back surgery. … 602 Crate Sportsman ($2,500-to-win), street stocks, super streets, enduro factory stocks and crown vics are on the undercard. … Pits open at 2 p.m. and grandstands open at 5, with hot laps at 7 for Friday’s opener. … Watch live on Crate Racin USA TV or Hunt the Front TV.

Who to watch: Mark Whitener of Middleburg, Fla., chases his third overall victory of the season at Needmore.

Points chase: Before Needmore: 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).

Expected entrants: Mark Whitener, Jimmy Thomas, Cody Overton, Will Roland, Matt Dooley, Mario Gresham, Bubba Roling, Jesse Sobbing, Jake Knowles, Caleb Gay, Wil Herrington, Tyler Millwood, Matt Henderson, Hunter Peacock, Trynt Lloyd, Jason Garver, Braden Mitchell, Ty Giles, Russell Brown Jr., Josh Ray, Dalton Dowdy, Bryson Mitchell, Briar Cheatham and others.

Current weather: Clear, 55°F

Next series race: November 29, Swainsboro Raceway (Swainsboro, GA) $10,000