What won the race: Fast qualifier Chris Ferguson of Mount Holly, N.C., led all 40 laps of Friday's Robert Pursley Memorial at Cherokee Speedway for a $7,000 victory on the Southern Nationals Bonus Series. Ferguson started outside the front row and outran polesitter Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who settled for second.

Quotable: "This car, motor, everything ran great tonight. Everything just felt good," Ferguson said. "I've been running with these guys for a few years now, and the guys that were here tonight, these are the guys I grew up watching. ... I'd outrun a few of them, but never won a big one like this, so it feels pretty good to win with the caliber of drivers that were here tonight."

Key notes: Ferguson won by more than four seconds over Steve Francis, who said his race car too tight. ... Austin Hubbard brought out a caution on lap 25 followed by a yellow for Boom Briggs two laps later. ... Three early cautions also appeared: Anthony Sanders (lap 8), G.R. Smith (flat tire lap 9) and Jonathan Davenport (running sixth on lap 10). ... Saturday's action, another complete program, is highlighted by the 24th annual Blue-Gray 100 paying $10,000-to-win. ... Robert Pursley's family boosted the purse to $7,000-to-win after it was originally announced as $5,000-to-win.

Winner's sponsors: Ferguson's family-owned Longhorn Chassis machine is powered by a Clements Race Engine and carries sponsorship Great America Beershine, Keith's Handyman Services, Langley Collision Centers, Big A Custom Graphics and CV Products.

Points chase: Entering the event, Austin Smith of Cedartown, Ga., had 1,230 points to lead the Southern Nationals Bonus Series over Kenny Collins (1,034) and Casey Roberts (960).

Car count: 22

Fast qualifier: Chris Ferguson

Time: 14.991 seconds

Polesitter: Steve Francis

Dash winner: Steve Francis

Next series race: October 25, Cherokee Speedway (Gaffney, SC) $10,000