What won the race: Breaking through for his first victory in a Dirt Late Model, Max McLaughlin of Mooresville, N.C., captured Friday night's rain-shortened second Alabama Gang 100 semifeature at Talladega Short Track. The 24-year-old full-fender rookie grabbed the lead on the first circuit and was still in front when rain prompted World of Outlaws Case Late Model Series officials to declare the race complete after 16 of the scheduled 25 laps, handing him the $4,000 top prize.

Quotable: “I don’t even really know what to say right now,” McLaughlin said. “This is only my fifth time in a Super Late Model (event) and they have been such a challenge. If you would’ve told me that I was gonna win tonight I would’ve probably told you you were crazy.”

Key notes: A versatile racer who's competed mostly in the Northeast's big-block modified class, McLaughlin debuted in G.R. Smith's Dirt Late Model during Speedweeks. He outgunned Jimmy Owens for the lead at the start of the semifeature and was 0.880 of a second in front of runner-up Ricky Thornton Jr. on the last completed green-flag lap. ... The success does not count as an official WoO victory because it's a split-field race, but it locked McLaughlin, Thornton and third-place Sam Seawright into Saturday's 75-lap, $35,000-to-win finale. ... The top three finishers from each semifeature will redraw for the first six starting spots in the headliner. ... Three cautions flew before a lap was completed: for separate spins by Tristan Chamberlain and Dustin Walker and then a tangle between turns three and four that saw Owens and Thornton spin after making contact and collect Tyler Bruening. ... Owens and Thornton kept their starting positions for the complete restart; Bruening had to go to the rear because he pitted. ... Bobby Pierce advanced from ninth to fourth and finished in the position; he wondered afterward why the race was checkered early for light rain after seeing the USCS 360 sprint cars hit the track to race shortly after the semifeature was declared official. ... A total of six caution flags dotted the 16 laps, including Cade Dillard slowing on lap 10 and additional spins by Walker on laps 12 and 16. ... After breaking two brake rotors in hot laps, Chris Ferguson hopped the cushion and made slight contact with the turn-one wall during his qualifying attempt with running without a brake rotor on the right-rear. He went on to finish 13th in the semifeature.

On the move: Chris Ferguson of Mt. Holly, N.C., started 24th and finished 13th.

Winner's sponsors: McLaughlin’s Team 22 Inc. Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Engine and carries sponsorship from Mohawk Northeast, Victory Circle Auto Sales, Gambler Transport, Brickhouse Tavern, Armor Security, R.J.’s Excavating, Collins Signs and Bilstein Shocks.

Points chase: Before Talladega: 1. Brandon Sheppard (1,142); 2. Chris Madden (1,118); 3. Nick Hoffman (1,108); 4. Cade Dillard (1,106); 5. Tyler Bruening (1,060); 6. Dennis Erb Jr. (1,050); 7. Kyle Bronson (1,044); 8. Bobby Pierce (1,020); 9. Brian Shirley (1,008); 10. Ryan Gustin (1,000); 11. Cody Overton (990); 12. Dustin Sorensen (972).

Current weather: Overcast, 72°F

Car count: 48

Fast qualifier: Jimmy Owens

Time: 13.371 seconds

Polesitter: Jimmy Owens

Next series race: April 20, Talladega Short Track (Eastaboga, AL) $35,000