What won the race: Outside front-row starter Donald McIntosh of Dawsonville, Ga., outdueled polesitter Cory Hedgecock early and controlled the rest of Friday’s Ultimate Southeast opener at North Georgia Speedway for a $4,000 victory. Zack Mitchell finished 1.584 seconds behind at the checkers with Hedgecock settling for third after losing the runner-up spot with three laps remaining.

Quotable: “I gotta dedicate this race to Phil Coltrane. I got my start racing dirt with Phil, and he’s in the hospital right now, so our prayers are with him and his family,” McIntosh said. “I can’t thank this team enough. It’s a new race car this year and it’s been really good every time we’ve been out in it. What a great night for us."

Key notes: McIntosh has five Ultimate Southeast victories; his previous came in 2016 and he won at North Georgia in 2015. ... Four cautions and a lengthy lap-34 red-flag period slowed the action. ... The red appeared when fifth-running Riley Hickman (in David Duplissey's No. D2) got upside down after tangling with a Tyler Millwood; Hickman wasn't hurt. Pearson Lee Williams was also involved. ... Jason Hiett, who missed time trails, retired after 13 laps. ... The feature started at 11:08 p.m. and ended at 11:52 p.m. ... Cory Hedgecock lowered the track record (previous mark was Dale McDowell’s 12.209 seconds). ... Michael Page lost his eighth-quickest qualifying time because of an unapproved tire. The winner of the tour's previous two visits to North Georgia retired after six feature laps ... Muddy pit conditions and congestion entering the track delayed the program's start. ... The event was originally set for March 7 but postponed by rain.

On the move: Ray Cook of Brasstown, N.C., started 14th and finished sixth.

Winner's sponsors: McIntosh's Blount Motorsports Rocket Chassis is powered by a Vic Hill Racing Engine and sponsored by Stowers CAT Machinery, Blount Excavating, Massey Electric, Turner Hydraulics, Ole Ben Franklin Motors, Walker’s Truck Contractors and the Wine and Spirits Cellar.

Points chase: The Ultimate Southeast Series opened its season.

Current weather: Cloudy, 61°F

Car count: 21

Fast qualifier: Cory Hedgecock

Time: 12.174 seconds

Polesitter: Cory Hedgecock

Next series race: March 21, County Line Raceway (Elm City, NC) $4,000