What won the race: Ashley Newman of Ripley, Tenn., survived several restarts and secured a commanding flag-to-flag victory in Saturday's 75-lap King of Crate at North Alabama Speedway. Newman's $10,000 payday is his first career Rogers-Dabbs Crate Racin' USA triumph.

Quotable: “I’m as shocked as anybody,” Newman said, tongue-in-cheek. “I been running this car with a 602 motor in it the last few weeks, so we swapped the motor back out (for the 604), just changed my shocks and said ‘I’m not gonna worry about it.’ I don’t know, really, if I wanted to start on the pole because I like to pace myself, but this is the perfect weekend to start on the pole I believe, with the track being locked down like that.”

Key notes: Sixth-starting Bryson Mitchell passed Christian Hanger for second as he was held up by lapped traffic and trailed Newman the final nine laps, finishing 0.467 of a second back. ... Hanger settled for third. ... Points leader Jimmy Thomas ran as high as fourth in the early going before slipping to seventh. ... Henderson pursued Newman from laps 27-63 before fading to round out the top 10. ... Cruz Wallace and Bubba Roling spun while battling for 13th on lap 53, drawing the race's eighth and final caution. Series officials deemed the spin to be a result of intentional contact and disqualified both drivers for the final 23 laps. ... Roling was recovering after slowing from second with a flat left-rear tire on lap 28. ... The main event lasted 50 minutes, with 19 drivers running at the checkers. ... Covy Parsons scratched.

On the move: Matt Dooley of Brooks, Ga., started 17th and finished sixth.

Winner's sponsors: Newman’s Rocket Chassis is sponsored by West Tennessee Expediting, Mallard Estates Outfitter, Lowery’s Body Shop & Wrecker Service, Scott Davis Farms, Buffalo River Resorts, Newman Motorsports Services, Bradley Seed Supply, Smith Lawn & Landscape Service and Three Aces Speed Shop.

Points chase: After North Alabama: 1. Jimmy Thomas (824); 2. Mario Gresham (784); 3. Matt Dooley (770); 4. Matt Henderson (764); 5. Bubba Roling (718).

Current weather: Clear, 86°F

Car count: 24

Fast qualifier: Ashley Newman

Time: 14.965 seconds

Polesitter: Ashley Newman

Heat race winners: Christian Hanger, Bubba Roling, Ashley Newman, Jimmy Thomas,  ,  ,  ,  

Next series race: August 17, Senoia Raceway (Senoia, GA) $3,000