What won the race: Leading flag-to-flag from the pole, Jimmy Thomas of Phenix City, Ala., won Friday’s Early Bird opener at Needmore Speedway. Thomas finished the 25-lapper 1.624 seconds ahead of runner-up Rhett Carter to pick up $2,000 and pull within six points of series leader Jason Welshan heading into Saturday’s tour finale.

Quotable: “I just needed to beat ‘em to turn one. That’s what kept going through my mind,” Thomas said. “This place is all about angles and I guess I’m getting better at it I reckon.”

Key notes: Thomas notched his fourth CRUSA win of the season and third in the last seven races. … Along with Needmore, he’s won a pair at Talladega (Ala.) Short Track and one at Tri-County Speedway in Pollard, Ala. ... Needmore Speedway’s 10th annual Early Bird kicked off Friday and wraps up with a $10,000-to-win main event on Saturday. ... Watch all the action on FloRacing. … Joseph Brown of Columbus, Ga., who has won the last three Early Birds, rallied from sixth to third. ... Among drivers failing to transfer into the feature event: Jimmy Sharpe, Jimmy Sharpe Jr., John Baker, Kerry King, Tristan Sealy and Kyle Van Sickle.

On the move: Series leader Jason Welshan of Maryville, Tenn., started 16th and finished eighth.

Winner's sponsors: Thomas drives a Scorpion Chassis sponsored by Five Star Chrysler Dodge, High Roller Recovery, Sugar Land and Wimmers Wrecker Service.

Points chase: After Needmore Friday: 1. Jason Welshan (1,690); 2. Jimmy Thomas (1,684); 3. Jake Knowles (1,646); 4. Tanner Collins (1,564); 5. Mike Combs (1,286).

Current weather: Clear, 55°F

Car count: 40

Fast qualifier: Rhett Carter

Time: 14.947 seconds

Polesitter: Jimmy Thomas

Consolation race winners: Ty Giles, Matt Henderson, Jordy Nipper

Provisional starters: Mike Combs, Troy Dixon

Next series race: November 20, Needmore Speedway (Norman Park, GA) $10,000