What won the race: Clearing race-long leader Drew Kennedy with a turn-two slider on lap 38, second-starting John Ownbey of Cleveland, Tenn., led the final three laps to capture Saturday's fifth annual Lester Weeks Memorial at Smoky Mountain Speedway. Ownbey narrowly held off Zach Sise in the closing laps, winning by 0.174 of a second for his third career Jail Breaker Topless Outlaw Series victory and his first since May 29, 2020, at Crossville (Tenn.) Speedway.

Quotable: “I just couldn’t get took off with Drew (Kennedy) on the starts, my car just wouldn’t take off with his. I got in second there and I was just gonna ride a while, just try to be patient with the right rear (tire),” Ownbey said. “Towards the end, I started driving harder, but Drew was still running. He had a good car, he was doing a good job. I’d gain a little and let him back out a little, so he was fast tonight. I don’t know what happened to him. We worked on (the car) and we got it better and luckily we won the race, so I’m proud of all the boys.”

Key notes: Ownbey recorded his first major event win since July 9, 2020, a $1,500 Southeastern Late Model Sportsman Series race at Tri-County Racetrack in Brasstown, N.C. ... Ownbey topped a local Limited Late Model show last fall at Smoky Mountain. ... Fourth-starting Zach Sise slipped by Kennedy in turn three of the 38th lap after Ownbey cleared Kennedy at the exit of turn two. ... The polesitting Kennedy, of Sunbright, Tenn., led the opening 37 laps before settling for third. ... Jed Emert gained 11 spots and finished 11th. ... Kyle Courtney, winner of April 26's $5,009 season opener at Chatsworth's North Georgia Speedway, hung outside the top 10 nearly all race before finishing 12th. ... The race's lone caution came on the 20th lap when Taylor Puckett spun and called it a night. ... Jason Welshan pulled off from 10th on lap 29. ... The event honored Lester Weeks of Friendsville, Tenn., former racer and chassis builder who died in 2021 at the age of 67 after a battle with cancer. ... The 40-lapper lasted 15 minutes, with 17 starters completing the distance.

On the move: Travis Fultz of Harrogate, Tenn., started 18th and finished ninth.

Winner's sponsors: Ownbey’s Longhorn by Wesley Page is powered by a Phantom Race Engine and sponsored by Auto Depot Service & Towing, JRC Motorsports, Mowery, Key Zone Lock & Key, Hicks Specialty Welding, WP Racing Shocks, VP Racing Fuels, Hoosier Tire South and Twisted Design Wraps and Apparel.

Points chase: After Smoky Mountain: 1. John Ownbey (180); 2. Zach Sise (175); 3. Kyle Courtney (169); 4. Chase King (162); 5. Layne Clifton (159).

Current weather: Overcast, 64°F

Car count: 51

Fast qualifier: John Ownbey

Time: 15.296 seconds

Polesitter: Drew Kennedy

Dash winner: Drew Kennedy

Heat race winners: Chase King, Anthony White Jr., Rusty Ballenger, Hayden Cardwell

Provisional starters: Layne Clifton, Mike Weeks

Next series race: May 25, Tazewell Speedway (Tazewell, TN) $4,001