What won the race: Riley Hickman of Ooltewah, Tenn., led all 40 laps from the pole Thursday at Talladega Short Track to open the NeSmith tour's holiday tripleheader in Alabama. Points leader Ronnie Johnson was second followed by 13-year-old local phenom Cruz Skinner.

Quotable: “This is Chip Vineyard’s house at CVR Race Cars, and they just had a perfect setup tonight,” Hickman said. “These (NeSmith) races are never easy to win, but having a race car like I had tonight makes it a little harder for the competition to catch you.”

Key notes: Fourteen of 24 starters finished on the lead lap. ... Ryan King was eliminated in early accident; he was battling for third when he hit the wall exiting turn four, triggering a multicar pileup. ... Larry Harrod spun on the seventh lap. ... Michael Arnold spun on lap 22 and was disqualified when he retaliated against Matt Henderson. ... The Salute to America Nationals is made up of three straight nights of Crate Late Model series action at Alabama tracks (Penton Raceway and East Alabama Motor Speedway to follow). ... Skinner leads Talladega's weekly Crate division in points.

On the move: Josh Adkins started eighth and finished fourth; Cody Martin started 22nd and finished 12th to earn Beyea Headers Hard Charger honors.

Winner's sponsors: Hickman's CVR Race Car house car is sponsored by Chattanooga Valley Auto Parts and En Compass Solutions.

Points chase: Entering the event, Johnson had 932 points to lead Chase Edge (860) and King (838).

Car count: 40

Fast qualifier: Riley Hickman

Time: 15.132 seconds

Polesitter: Riley Hickman

Consolation race winners: Joe Noojin, Jimmy Thomas, Will Roland

Next series race: July 3, Penton Raceway (Penton, AL) $2,000