What won the race: Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., picked up the victory in the first semifeature of the Morton Buildings World of Outlaws Late Models Series Rock Gault Memorial weekend at Cherokee Speedway. Owens passed race leader Chris Madden on lap 10 and was never seriously challenged the rest of the distance to pick up the $5,000 victory.

Quotable: “They’ve worked on the track. They were dealt a pretty bad hand with the weather and stuff, the track turned out pretty good,” said Owens said. “We’d liked to be able to run (turns) one and two a little bit better. It’s just really dusty up there. But, you know, it worked out great for us.”

Key notes: The 43-car field was divided in half at the draw/sign-in with a pair of 25-lap features held. ... Friday's twin features did not award full WoO points. Drivers earned show-up points only. ... Owens emerged the leader after a three-way battle with Madden and Kyle Strickler on lap 10. ... Chris Ferguson fell back after making contact with leader Madden early in the event. ... WoO action continues Saturday at Cherokee with the 60-lap, $40,000-to-win Rock Gault Memorial.

On the move: Runner-up Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., started 10th.

Winner's sponsors: Owens drives a Ramirez Motorsports Rocket Chassis powered by a Vic Hill Racing Engine and sponsored by Reece Monument, Boomtest Well Service, Tim Short Auto Group, Red Line Oil, Georgia Arms, Midwest Sheet Metal and Ohlins Shocks.

Points chase: Before Cherokee: 1. Kyle Strickler (844); 2. Brandon Sheppard (778); 3. Ricky Weiss (768); 4. Tyler Bruening (764); 5. Kyle Bronson (762); 6. Dennis Erb Jr. (748); 7. Darrell Lanigan (740); 8. Chris Madden (730); 9. Scott Bloomquist (726); 10. Ross Bailes (718); 11. Cade Dillard (698); 12. Boom Briggs (696); 13. David Breazeale (682); T14. Chase Junghans (674); T14. Ryan Gustin (674), 16. Tony Jackson Jr. (668); 17. Brent Larson (644).

Current weather: Clear, 68°F

Car count: 43

Fast qualifier: Chris Ferguson

Time: 14.867 seconds

Polesitter: Chris Madden

Heat race winners: Chris Ferguson, Jimmy Owens, Scott Bloomquist, Brandon Overton

Next series race: March 27, Cherokee Speedway (Gaffney, SC) $40,000