What won the race: Inheriting the pole after fast-qualifier Benji Hicks suffered a flat tire during the race's pace laps, Schaeffer's Spring Nationals point leader Carson Ferguson of Lincolnton, N.C., went on to wire Friday night's 40-lap tour stop at I-75 Raceway. The 23-year-old driver earned $7,553 for his second Spring Nationals victory of 2023 and the fourth of his career.

Quotable: “I really hate that for Benji,” Ferguson said. “He’s put his heart and soul into building his own chassis and he’s really came out here and performed and he’s been running really good. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good, and I think we were both tonight.”

Key notes: Ferguson beat Ross Bailes — his closest pursuer in the Spring Nationals points standings — by a healthy margin of 3.065 seconds. … It was Ferguson’s second win in the last three Spring Nationals events as he looks to secure his second consecutive series championship during the tour’s concluding tripleheader weekend. … Dale McDowell recovered from a subpar qualifying effort to finish third. … Hicks retired four laps into the feature after relinquishing the pole position to his heartbreak during the pace laps. … The Spring Nationals continues its final weekend of 2023 action on Saturday at North Georgia Speedway in Chatsworth and Sunday at Duck River Raceway Park in Wheel, Tenn.

On the move: Cory Hedgecock of Loudon, Tenn., started 11th and finished fourth.

Winner's sponsors: Ferguson’s Paylor Motorsports Longhorn by Wesley Page Chassis is powered by a Vic Hill Racing Engine and sponsored by WP Racing Shocks, Hoopaugh Grading Company, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil, Night Owl National Contractors, Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas, John Page Racing, Live Oak Family Dentistry, VP Race Fuels, Earnhardt Technologies and Pro Fabrication.

Points chase: After I-75: 1. Carson Ferguson (1,518); 2. Ross Bailes (1,494); 3. Kenny Collins (1,440); 4. Haiden Cowan (1,416); 5. Caden Mullinax (1,283).

Current weather: Clear, 72°F

Car count: 34

Fast qualifier: Benji Hicks

Time: 14.447 seconds

Polesitter: Benji Hicks

Consolation race winners: Cory Hedgecock, Garrett Smith

Next series race: May 27, North Georgia Speedway (Chatsworth, GA) $10,053