What won the race: Inheriting the lead when Zack Mitchell slowed with a flat right-rear tire on the ninth lap, pole-starting Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga., led the rest of Friday's 40-lap Schaeffer's Spring Nationals feature at Sugar Creek Raceway. Roberts raced to the $8,553 victory virtually unchallenged, taking the checkers 2.520 seconds ahead of Jordy Nipper for his fourth career Spring Nationals victory and his first since May 24, 2015, a $6,000 triumph at Rome (Ga.) Speedway.

Quotable: “I couldn’t see my wife giving (stick) signals there, so I really didn’t know (where anyone was). I thought they were pretty close there and probably almost gave it away in lapped traffic. It was pretty hectic,” Roberts said. “You know, Zack (Mitchell) is a class act to race with, some of these young guys just go in there and run over you and act crazy. We’re been having a lot of bad luck lately, but thank the good Lord, to get us a good win here.”

Key notes: Roberts, who spent several years away from competition, won last July's Southern Nationals-sanctioned Rebel Yell at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., his first win of any kind in more than five years. ... Roberts notched his second victory of the season and his first since Feb. 7's $5,000 Winter Freeze opener at Screven. ... Zack Mitchell led the opening nine laps from the outside pole before slowing with a flat right rear tire. He stormed back to finish seventh after pitting. ... Jordy Nipper inherited the runner-up spot while Ross Bailes went fifth-to-third on the lap-nine restart, following Mitchell's misfortune. Bailes pressured Nipper on the next couple of restarts, but settled for third. ... Points leader Garrett Smith finished fourth and extended his points lead over Wil Herrington heading into the tour’s final two events. ... David Payne grabbed fifth from Jensen Ford on lap 34; Ford slipped to eighth in the final rundown. ... Chris Ferguson climbed seven spots and finished ninth. ... Will Hicks spun out of turn four for the opening yellow flag on the sixth lap. He finished 15th, three laps down. ... Adam Bedenbaugh spun out of four on lap 22, nearly collecting the leaders. ... The 40-lapper lasted just shy of 20 minutes, with 11 starters completing the distance. ... It was originally slated to award $7,553-to-win before receiving a $1,500 purse boost courtesy of Interstate Welding & Steel Supply.

On the move: Haiden Cowan of Rincon, Ga., started 13th and finished sixth.

Winner's sponsors: Roberts drives a Gus Simpson-owned Longhorn Chassis powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Simpson’s Trucking & Grading, Atlanta Construction Paving & Concrete, Ralph Grizzle Trucking, Cantrell Forest Products, Kenny Harris Grading, Elrod Trucking, Rebel Auction Company, R&B Mechanical, VP Racing Fuels, Bilstein Shocks and A-Plus Signs.

Points chase: Final: 1. Garrett Smith (1,678); 2. Wil Herrington (1,646); 3. Cory Hedgecock (1,264); 4. Jimmy Owens (936); 5. Sam Seawright (880).

Current weather: Clear, 70°F

Car count: 19

Fast qualifier: Casey Roberts

Time: 14.375 seconds

Polesitter: Casey Roberts

Next series race: October 9, Beckley Motor Speedway (Beckley, WV) $4,053