What won the race: After turning back repeated sliders from Chad Thrash following a mid-race restart, second-starting Eric Cooley of Fulton, Miss., pulled away in traffic over the final laps to win Friday’s Gumbo Nationals opener at Greenville Speedway. Cooley earned $4,000 for his second career Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series victory, while Thrash, a five-time winner this season, settled for second.

Quotable: “I could hear somebody back there. I knew as long as I could keep my line and keep straight I had really good drive off there I felt like,” Cooley said. “Just as long as I hit my marks, I knew it’d be hard to pass … just top dominant. Chad (and I), we threw a couple of sliders back and forth on that restart there and I knew if I could get my run off I could drive back by him … turn left and drive back by.”

Key notes: Cooley’s previous MSCCS victory came Aug. 27, 2016 at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss. … The race was slowed by two cautions. … Polesitter Jon Mitchell of Texarkana, Texas, brought out the second caution when he slowed, giving up the fifth position. … Third-starting Robert Baker of Bryant, Ark., relinquished third when he pitted on lap 30 with his car trailing smoke. … Thrash stayed within five car lengths in the waning laps, but twice banged his right rear off the turn one wall in the final five laps to hamper his effort. … This is the 13th annual Gumbo Nationals. … Two separate programs are on tap, with an $8,000-to-win main event Saturday to go along with Friday's opener, which marked the third MSCCS race at Greenville this season. … Mike Palasini Jr. of Leland, Miss., and Rick Rickman of Columbus, Miss., were the winners of the tour’s two previous stops at Greenville.

On the move: Jonathan Rowan of Whiteville, Tenn., started 16th and finished sixth.

Winner's sponsors: Cooley’s Rocket Chassis is powered by a Jeff Burns Racing Engine and sponsored by Cooley Transport, 78 Towing & Recovery, Eric Cooley Trucking, Bryson Motorsports and Tri-State Truck Center.

Points chase: Through Sept. 7, Chad Thrash (1,600 points) of Meridian, Miss., led Shelby Sheedy (1,250), Doug Sanchagrin (1,210), Terry Wilson (1,200) and Rick Rickman (1,150).

Current weather: Clear, 74°F

Car count: 24

Fast qualifier: Jon Mitchell

Polesitter: Jon Mitchell

Heat race winners: Jon Mitchell, Robert Baker, Eric Cooley, Mike Palasini Jr.