What won the race: Overtaking polesitter Donald Bradsher on the 28th of 40 laps, two-time and reigning series champion Ross Bailes of Clover, S.C., captured Saturday's Fast Unified Engine Late Model Series opener at Cherokee Speedway to earn $3,000.

Key notes: Bailes picked up his series-leading 11th career FUEL Series victory; he's never finished outside of the top 10 in 21 all-time FUEL events. ... The car count of 34 Late Models was the highest in FUEL's three-season history. ... In the off-season, the tour legalized other limited engine packages for the tour that was originally founded strictly for Late Models powered by Chevy's CT 525 powerplants.

Winner's sponsors: Bailes drivers a MastersBilt Race Car sponsored by Bailes Construction, Felony Farms, FK Rod Ends, DirtWorks Performance, Service Master Clean, WP Racing Shocks, Velocita and Carver and Sons Roofing.

Points chase: The event opened FUEL's season.

Car count: 34

Fast qualifier: Donald Bradsher

Time: 16.172 seconds

Polesitter: Donald Bradsher

Dash winner: Donald Bradsher

Heat race winners: Justin Hudspeth, Robbie Bailey, Jonathan Edwards,  ,  ,  ,  ,  

Next series race: April 16, Fayetteville Motor Speedway (Fayetteville, NC) $3,000