What won the race: Leading all 40 laps from his outside front row starting position, reigning series champion Cory Hedgecock of Loudon, Tenn., outran Michael Page for a $2,000 triumph to kick off the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series weekend at Talladega Short Track. Ronnie Johnson finished third.

Key notes: Hedgecock won by .577 seconds. ... Eighteen of the 24 starters completed all 40 laps of the race, which was slowed by six cautions. ... Hedgecock's second NeSmith victory of the season marked the third straight year that he's been triumphant at Talladega. ... He was awarded a win April 20 at Camden (Tenn.) after the tires of apparent winner Christian Hanger of Winchester, Tenn., failed the postrace lab test. ... Hedgecock, who registered his seventh overall win of 2018, also finished second in the evening's companion 30-lap Super Late Model feature won by Austin Horton of Newnan, Ga. ... It’s NASCAR weekend at Talladega Short Track as the speedway hosts a series doubleheader.

On the move: Jimmy Elliot of Cleveland, Tenn., started 22nd and finished 11th.

Winner's sponsors: Hedgecock’s Rocket Chassis is powered by an Eagle Racing Engine and sponsored by Cushman, Eagle Racing Engines, K&P Used Cars, Transport One, VooDoo Technology, Sweet Trucking Co., and Rebel Diesel Performance.

Points chase: After Friday's TST race, Hedgecock (288) leads Ashton Winger (264) and Jake Knowles (244).

Car count: 50

Fast qualifier: Cory Hedgecock

Time: 13.925 seconds

Polesitter: Cory Hedgecock

Consolation race winners: John Ownbey, Cody Smith, Tyler Clem, Ashton Winger,  

Provisional starters: Marcus Minga, Austin Burns,  ,  

Next series race: May 18, Oglethorpe Speedway Park (Savannah, GA) $2,000