What won the race: Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C. led all 35 laps from outside the front row Saturday at Cherokee Speedway for a $3,000 victory in the March Madness weekend opener. Madden ran mostly unchallenged in grabbing his 47th career Southern All Stars victory.

Quotable: "We've done a lot of work in the last few weeks since we've been off," Madden said. "The car was extremely fast tonight. We had a little problem in qualifying there (with the engine) skipping and popping, and we were still skipping and popping in the race there, but these guys worked hard on it."

Key notes: Madden notched his fifth Super Late Model special-event victory at Cherokee since 2010; only Chris Ferguson (seven) and Jonathan Davenport (six) have more. ... He previously won the track's famed Blue-Gray 100 last October. ... Polesitter Brett Hamm of Newberry, S.C. finished fourth. ... The Southern All Stars continue their 2016 season with a $10,000-to-win event Sunday.

On the move: Johnny Pursley of Clover, S.C. started in fifth and was third at the finish.

Winner's sponsors: Madden's Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and is sponsored by Crowder Trucking, Allstar Performance, Century Plastics and Stroble Mini Storage.

Points chase: Brandon Overton of Appling, Ga. and Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga. are currently tied atop the points standings. .... Saturday's event was a non-points race.

Car count: 17

Fast qualifier: Chris Madden

Time: 15.052 seconds

Polesitter: Brett Hamm

Next series race: March 6, Cherokee Speedway (Gaffney, SC) $10,000