What won the race: Taking command on lap seven when early leader Ashton Winger slapped the turn-three wall, pole-starting Brandon Overton of Evans, Ga., ran away with Friday's 30-lap Southern Showcase opener at Swainsboro Raceway. Overton paced the final 24 circuits to earn $5,000 and his second career Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series triumph — both coming this year — while further extending his points lead.

Quotable: “I didn’t know where (Winger) went," Overton said. "We went into (turn) three and he disappeared and I said, 'S---, I don’t know if he hit something or he just went too high’ or what."

Key notes: The second-starting Winger, of Hampton, Ga., used an aggressive opening-lap slide job to pace the first six circuits before slipping and hitting the turn-three wall, tearing his spoiler off and allowing Overton to slide by. Winger pursued Overton for the the next 16 laps with his spoiler flapping in the wind before Sam Seawright took the runner-up spot; less than two laps later, Winger's spoiler finally ripped off, drawing the race's only stoppage. He faded to finish seventh. ... Seawright couldn't keep up with Overton after the lap-25 restart and finished 2.125 seconds back. ... The Southern Showcase opener lasted 11 minutes, with 16 competitors completing 30 laps and 21 running at the finish. ... The two-day show concludes with Saturday's $20,000-to-win finale.

On the move: Wil Herrington of Hawkinsville, Ga., started eighth and finished fourth.

Winner's sponsors: Overton’s Wells & Sons Motorsports Infinity by Wells Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Garnto Southern, Muscle Factory, Coltman Farms Racing, Big Dog Stump & Tree, Victory Fuel, Convenient Lube, E-Z-Go, Hurst Construction, On-Point Wrap Factory, Walker Filters, Impact Race Gear, Boswell Oil, VP Racing Fuels and Midwest Sheet Metal.

Points chase: After Swainsboro Friday: 1. Brandon Overton (478); 2. Sam Seawright (442); 3. Chris Ferguson (430); 4. Trey Mills (406); 5. Joseph Joiner (398).

Current weather: Clear, 81°F

Car count: 31

Fast qualifier: Brandon Overton

Time: 15.130 seconds

Polesitter: Brandon Overton

Consolation race winners: Shane Clanton, Zack Mitchell

Provisional starters: Bo Slay, Cla Knight, Caden Mullinax

Next series race: June 1, Swainsboro Raceway (Swainsboro, GA) $20,000