What won the race: Keeping Jason Hiett at bay as they raced through traffic, Michael Page of Douglasville, Ga., led every lap to win Saturday’s Ultimate Southeast Series season opener at North Georgia Speedway. Hiett finished 1.006 seconds back in second, while Brandon Overton finished third.

Quotable: “I knew if I messed up one time, (Jason Hiett) is a racer, so he knows what to do,” winner Michael Page said. “You just can’t give ‘em anything. Lapped cars were tough because you don’t know where to go or where they’re going. I’m just glad it worked out.”

Key notes: Page earned $4,000 for the victory, his fourth career Ultimate Southeast Series triumph. … Page also won the tour’s season-opener at North Georgia last season. … Page, who was using the CT525 engine package, said he to push his machine hard to stay ahead of Hiett: “I don’t know if I’ve ever run a race car that hard the whole race. (I) was in the fuel as wide open as I could mash it.” … Seventeen of the 24 starters completed all 40 laps. … John Ownbey of Cleveland, Tenn., returned to action for the first time since being injured in a grinding crash at 411 Speedway in Seymour, Tenn., on Dec. 29, 2018. He finished eighth. … Booger Brooks finished 11th in a Gar Dickson-backed ride. … The start of Saturday’s action was pushed back an hour due to issues with the track’s scoring system.

On the move: Shane Clanton of Zebulon, Ga., started 11th and finished fourth.

Winner's sponsors: Page’s Stinger Race Car was powered by a CT525 engine and is sponsored by Baird Transport, Elite Concrete, Baird Towing and T&T Trucking.

Points chase: The 2019 Ultimate points chase began Saturday. Zack Mitchell of Enoree, S.C., is the reigning Ultimate Southeast champ.

Car count: 29

Fast qualifier: Michael Page

Time: 13.156 seconds

Consolation race winners: Shane Clanton, Riley Hickman

Provisional starters: Gary McPherson, Daulton Wilson

Next series race: March 23, County Line Raceway (Elm City, NC) $4,000