What won the race: Racing to the fourth series victory of his career, Dustin Mitchell of Pine Level, N.C., led every lap of Saturday's Ultimate Southeast Series season opener to earn a $5,000 victory at Lake View Motor Speedway. Mitchell finished 0.872 seconds ahead of 12th-starting Jeff Smith.

Key notes: Mitchell's flag-to-flag triumph came a week after picking up a $1,500 Blue Ridge Outlaw Late Model Series win at Lake View. … Fast qualifier and polesitter Matthew Nance of Ronda, N.C., was involved in a tangle with Corey Gordon while running in the top-three that knocked both drivers from contention. … Doug Sanders suffered a broken driveshaft in time trials that pinned him to the tail for the feature. … The Ultimate Super Late Model Series kicked off its 11th season on Saturday with its second ever visit to Lake View. … The tour originally planned to launch its season at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., in February, but the event was cancelled due to poor weather.

On the move: Jeff Smith of Dallas, N.C., started 12th and finished second.

Winner's sponsors: Mitchell’s C&R Motorsports Barry Wright Race Car is sponsored by TWA Concrete Services, Harry’s Tire & Auto Service, Diversified Concrete Pumping, Team Xtreme Tire & Auto, CarQuest, CDT Performance and The Muffler Place.

Points chase: It’s the tour’s 2021 season opener. Zack Mitchell earned his third consecutive series title in 2020.

Car count: 17

Fast qualifier: Matthew Nance

Time: 16.831 seconds

Polesitter: Matthew Nance

Next series race: April 17, Modoc Raceway (Modoc, SC) $5,022