What won the race: Second-starting Payton Freeman of Commerce, Ga., led all 57 laps and topped Saturday's unsanctioned Super Late Model field to win the $10,570 second annual Russell Thomas Memorial at Sugar Creek Raceway, notching his first victory of the season. Freeman topped runner-up David Payne, who had a rollover accident in practice but returned to finish second in the main event.

Quotable: “This win means more than you can imagine. It’s has been a challenging year for my racing program on so many fronts, but my family, supporters, and fans have never stopped believing in me, and that’s kept me digging forward. This win is for all of them,” Freeman said. “We put ourselves in a good position with our qualifying effort and then was able to lead every lap of the feature to get the first win of the year. Now that the first one is out of the way, hopefully there’s many more to come before the year is over.”

Key notes: Fourth-starting David Payne finished second aboard a No. 57 Capital Race Car wrapped blue and yellow paying homage to Russell Thomas; Payne received a $200 fast qualifier bonus courtesy of Cherokee Wells and Landclearing. ... Kenny Collins started and finished third. ... Will Roland improved three positions and finished fourth. ... After being awarded a $757 bonus courtesy of Brad Hawkins at Chattahoochee Construction and Landscaping for winning the dash, pole-starting Tyler Millwood slipped to finish fifth. ... David McCoy gained four spots and finished sixth, the worst of the three Colton Farms Racing team. ... Chuck Southard advanced 10 positions and completed the top 10. … The event honors Russell Thomas, a former Georgia racer and 1995 track champion at Whitter, N.C.'s Smoky Mountain Raceway, who died in December 2021. … Going green shortly after 1 a.m. local time, Saturday's 57-lap feature was slowed by two cautions and lasted 24 minutes, with eight drivers completing the entire distance and running at the finish. … Sugar Creek hosts the Southern All Star Series on Oct. 21 for a $5,000-to-win event.

On the move: Drew Deaver of McCaysville, Ga., started 19th and finished eighth.

Winner's sponsors: Freeman’s Coltman Farms Racing Capital Race Car is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine (Ford) and sponsored by Freeman Plumbing, Madison County Auto Parts, Dave Gordon Auto Supply, Rod Roberts Trucking, Chatham & Son Tile, Shelton Trucking, Collins Signs, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil, Penske Racing Shocks, Swift Springs, VP Racing Fuels, DirtCarLift.com and McAllister Precision Marketing.

Current weather: Clear, 79°F

Car count: 26

Fast qualifier: David Payne

Time: 14.215 seconds

Polesitter: Tyler Millwood

Dash winner: Tyler Millwood

Consolation race winners: Kip Cochran