What won the race: Zack Mitchell of Enoree, S.C., led all 40 laps from the pole and scored a dominating flag-to-flag victory in Saturday's $7,500 Big Chief at Cherokee Speedway. Mitchell notched his first feature victory of the season and the 17th Ultimate Southeast Series triumph of his career, trailing only Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga., on the tour's all-time wins list.

Quotable: “I seen the (signal) sticks closing up and I could kinda hear (Trent Ivey) there,” Mitchell said. “I kinda didn’t know where to go at the end of the race, cause I got trapped behind some of them lapped cars and it kinda took the air off my nose. Heck of a run tonight man, I knew Trent would run me clean, congrats to him on (finishing) second.”

Key notes: Third-starting Trent Ivey regained the runner-up spot on lap 19 and trailed Mitchell for the final 22 laps, taking the checkers 2.820 seconds back. ... Fifth-starting Ben Watkins executed a bold sixth-to-third move on lap 21 and completed the podium finishers. ... Benji Hicks trailed Mitchell for the opening seven laps, before fading to finish fourth. ... Dennis Franklin improved three positions and finished seventh. ... Sun River, Mont.'s Michael Leach gained two spots and rounded-out the top 10. ... Second-running Wil Herrington slowed on lap 19 before pulling off. ... Willie Milliken slowed from 17th to draw the race's first caution on lap 17; he completed only eight more laps before calling it a night. ... Saturday's feature was slowed by two cautions and lasted 17 minutes, with 14 drivers completing the distance and 17 running at the finish. ... Mark Greene scratched from the main event lineup.

On the move: Jeff Smith of Dallas, N.C., started ninth and finished sixth.

Winner's sponsors: Mitchell’s Longhorn Chassis by Wells is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Eubanks Oil, Clary Hood, Inc., SoCar Chemical, Charles West Grading, Rolling Pines Lawn & Landscaping, Earnhardt Technologies Group, Hoosier Tire, VP Racing Fuels, Fox Racing Shocks and Big A’s Custom Graphics.

Points chase: After Cherokee: 1. Zack Mitchell (35); 2. Trent Ivey (34); 3. Ben Watkins (33); 4. Benji Hicks (32); 5. Christian Thomas (31).

Current weather: Clear, 68°F

Car count: 25

Fast qualifier: Zack Mitchell

Time: 15.200 seconds

Polesitter: Zack Mitchell

Consolation race winners: Greg Clark, Michael Leach,  ,  

Next series race: April 6, Lake View Motor Speedway (Nichols, SC) $5,000