Ashton Winger celebrates his Talladega victory.
What won the race: Third-starting Ashton Winger of Hampton, Ga., grabbed the lead on lap 23 and fought off Michael Page to capture Saturday's fifth annual 50-lap Governor's Cup feature at Talladega Short Track. The $10,000 victory was the third of Winger's career with the Valvoline Iron-Man Southern Series.
Key notes: The 22-year-old Winger registered his first victory since taking over as driver for the Ocala, Fla.-based Big Frog Motorsports team two weeks ago. ... Winger on lap 43 got sideways at the end of the frontstretch after contact with Michael Page, but he saved it to hold onto the lead while Page pulled up lame in turn one. ... After earning his second career Iron-Man Southern Series feature victory at Duck River Raceway Park on Friday, Sam Seawright of Rainsville, Ala., settled for the runner-up position. He led the first 22 laps before crossing the finish line 3.219 seconds behind Winger. ... Taking advantage of a lap-43 restart to move up, Austin Horton finished third. ... Eli Beets, a four-time Iron-Man Southern Series feature winner this season, completed only one lap and finished 22nd. ... The Iron-Man Southern tour's first-ever visit to Talladega was slowed by three cautions and lasted 22 minutes, with 11 competitors completing all 50 laps. … The series added an Aug. 19 non-points event at Boyd’s Speedway in Ringgold, Ga., paying $3,000-to-win.
On the move: Dalton Cook of Columbus, Ga., started 19th and finished sixth.
Winner's sponsors: Winger's Big Frog Motorsports Rocket Chassis is powered by a Clements engine and carries sponsorship from M&W Tire, Dave's Towing, Big Frog Transportation, Ocala Restaurant Supply, Integra Shocks, Daugherty Motorsports, FK Rod Ends and VP Racing.
Points chase: Before Duck River: 1. Michael Chilton (823); 2. Eli Beets (643); 3. Stacy Boles (535); 4. Ricky Weiss (457); 5. Christian Hanger (344).
Current weather: Few Clouds, 79°F
Car count: 38
Fast qualifier: Will Roland
Time: 14.225 seconds
Polesitter: Will Roland
Heat race winners: Will Roland, Ashton Winger, Sam Seawright, Michael Page, , , ,
Consolation race winners: Chase Oliver, Dallas Cooper, ,
Provisional starters: Eli Beets, Heath Hindman, ,
Next series race: August 19, Boyd's Speedway (Ringgold, GA) $3,000