What won the race: Reigning NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series champion Cory Hedgecock of Loudon, Tenn., advanced from the seventh starting position to claim a $2,500 Groundhog Classic victory at East Alabama Motor Speedway. Hedgecock overtook Ashton Winger of Senoia, Ga., on the sixth lap and led the remainder of the 50-lapper in the NeSmith RockAuto.com Winter Shootout event.

Key notes: Hedgecock got vindication from his previous EAMS start in November when engine woes knocked him out of the lead of the Crate Late Model feature during National 100 weekend. .... Hedgecock won a week earlier in Crate Late Model action at Boyd's Speedway and has two 2017 victories. ... The winner's margin was 0.876 secs. ... Chase Edge overtook Winger for second in the feature's middle stages. ... A dozen drivers completed all 50 laps and 16 were running at the feature's finish.. ... Polesitter Colton Horner, 14, faded to finish 11th. ... Ahnna Parkhurst did not start the feature. ... EAMS hosted the fifth race of the nine-race miniseries, which will be idle for five weeks before a March doubleheader in Cochran, Ga.

On the move: Cale Conley of Vienna, W.Va., started 18th and finished 10th.

Winner's sponsors: Hedgecock is sponsored by Cushman, VooDoo Technology, Sweet Trucking Co., K&P Used Cars, Eagle Racing Engines, Rebel Diesel, Mikeandgina.biz, Keyser Mfg., Timeless Memories Photography, Renegade Fuel and ET Motorgear.

Points chase: Sixth-place finisher Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Tenn., led entering the event.

Car count: 22

Fast qualifier: Colton Horner

Time: 16.057 seconds

Polesitter: Colton Horner

Consolation race winners: Cory Hedgecock, Jody Knowles,  ,  

Next series race: March 10, Cochran Motor Speedway (Cochran, GA) $2,000