What won the race: Overtaking early leader Trevor Landrum on the 11th lap, third-starting Carson Ferguson of Lincolnton, N.C., led the rest of Saturday's 30-lap Slingin' Dirt Late Model Series debut at Florence Speedway. Ferguson beat Kody Evans by 0.352 of a second for the $3,000 paycheck and his first feature victory of the season as his Paylor Motorsports team prepares for Florence's upcoming 44th annual Sunoco North-South 100 weekend.

Key notes: Lucas Oil Series regular Carson Ferguson led the final 20 laps for his first feature win since Oct. 10, 2025's Hunt the Front Series-sanctioned Blue-Gray 100 prelim at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, S.C. ... Ferguson and his Paylor Motorsports team skipped competing at larger events this weekend to get extra track time at Florence in preparation for the upcoming Aug. 6-8 North-South 100. ... Eighth-starting Kody Evans moved into second on lap 24 but never seriously challenged Ferguson over the final seven circuits. ... Dustin Nobbe, winner of Friday's $3,000 weekend opener at Circle City Raceway in Indianapolis, Ind., ran as high as second at the halfway mark before settling for third. ... Seventh-starting Blake Creech slipped by Trevor Landrum on the 28th lap to finish fourth, leaving Landrum, who led the opening 10 laps from the pole, in fifth. ... Josh Dietz improved 12 positions for the second consecutive night competing with the first-year Slingin' Dirt Series promoted by D.J. Smallwood. ... Jake Leitzman climbed six spots to round out the top 10. ... The race was slowed by six yellows, most notably when Derek Groomer and Tripp Gerrald were forced to pit on lap 18 as they battled for a top-five spot; Gerrald, the night's fast qualifier, continued until he was eliminated in the final stoppage on lap 26 along with Brad Rickels. Groomer was credited with 14th, two laps down. ... The race lasted 32 minutes with 13 starters completing 30 laps. ... Billy Green and Lucas Oil regular Brenden Smith scratched after failing to finish the night's third heat race. ... David Douglas scratched after hot laps.

On the move: Josh Dietz of Hebron, Ky., started 20th and finished eighth.

Winner's sponsors: Ferguson’s Paylor Motorsports Longhorn by Wesley Page is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Coltman Farms, Hoopaugh Grading Company, Franklin Enterprises, Tribble Electric, Night Owl National Contractors, Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas, John Page Racing, Baker-Mitchell Company, Brad Benton Trucking, VG Performance Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Lucas Oil, ArmsList.com, DirtCarLift.com, Pro Fabrication and Indocil Art.

Points chase: A champion will not be crowned during the inaugural season, though points may be used to help award series provisionals.

Current weather: Overcast, 73°F

Car count: 24

Fast qualifier: Tripp Gerrald

Time: 16.018 seconds

Polesitter: Trevor Landrum

Heat race winners: Trevor Landrum, Dustin Nobbe, Carson Ferguson

Next series race: July 31, Hidden Hollow Speedway (Colson, KY) $5,000