What won the race: Fending off early challenges from Joseph Brown then late pressure from Wil Herrington, Jeremy Steele of York, S.C., led all 50 laps from the pole in Saturday's 14th annual Early Bird 50, worth $10,000 at Needmore Speedway. Steele beat Herrington to the checkers by 2.903 seconds for his fourth Rogers-Dabbs Crate Racin' USA 604 victory of the season, extending his points lead.

Quotable: "(Track promoter) Chance (Smith) gave us a good racetrack to race on tonight and that’s all you can really ask for,” Steele said. “I actually seen (Joseph Brown’s) nose on the top down there one time when we were in lapped traffic pretty good. I didn’t really know what to do or where to go, just keep trying to pick lapped cars off and hope he’d stay behind me.”

Key notes: Steele's first Early Bird triumph adds to series wins this season on May 3 at Swainsboro (Ga.) Raceway, Aug. 16 at Senoia (Ga.) Raceway and Oct. 11 at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss. ... Wil Herrington slipped by Joseph Brown for second on a lap-43 restart, but never cut Steele's advantage below one second. ... Brown, of Columbus, Ga., a four-time Early Bird winner (2018-'20, '24), settled for third after trailing Steele the opening 42 laps. ... Austin Yarbrough climbed eight spots for a sixth-place finish. ... The race was slowed by five cautions, the largest coming on the opening lap when Steven Jernigan and Matt Henderson made contact while battling for third, sending Henderson spinning in front of the field, collecting Jared Delk, Jake Rainey and Austin Storm; Henderson was the only driver eliminated and credited 24th as the first retiree. ... Rainey overcame a separate incident on lap 18 and persevered to place eighth. ... Delk soldiered to an 11th-place finish with right-rear damage. ... Storm and Jernigan continued until making contact while battling for 11th on lap 37, sending Storm spinning and collecting Russell Brown Jr. ... Allen Styck stopped in turn four on lap 33 and retired. ... Jonah Bozeman slowed on lap 43 for the night's final yellow flag. ... The race lasted 32 minutes with 15 starters completing 50 laps. ... Ches Chester, Kam Boyd and Kyle Bridges scratched after Friday's prelims.

On the move: Runner up Wil Herrington of Hawkinsville, Ga., started 12th.

Winner's sponsors: Steele’s Longhorn Chassis by Wesley Page carries sponsorship from Xcell Grading and Waterproofing, WP Racing Shocks, Hendren Racing Engines, JS2 Home Builders, Site Works Solutions, A&M Innovation, Godfrey Builders, Yorktown Roofers, Carolina Fresh Farms, FK Rod Ends, ProFab Headers, Topgun Veterinarian Service, VP Racing Fuel, LJ Dezigns Apparel & Wraps and Indocil Art.

Points chase: After Needmore: 1. Jeremy Steele (1,174); 2. Joseph Brown (1,118); 3. Austin Yarbrough (1,066); 4. Koulten Herbert (1,056); 5. Jimmy Thomas (1,044).

Current weather: Scattered Clouds, 72°F

Car count: 27

Fast qualifier: Jeremy Steele

Time: 13.607 seconds

Polesitter: Jeremy Steele

Heat race winners: Joseph Brown, Matt Henderson, Jeremy Steele

Next series race: November 28, Swainsboro Raceway (Swainsboro, GA) $10,000