Key notes: The Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series returns to asphalt for the second time in two years with Friday’s $12,000-to-win Asphalt Assault 50 at Anderson Motor Speedway. ... The Anderson facility operated as a dirt oval from 1963-86 and hosted three Southern All Star events in 1985 and '86 won by Billy Clanton, Mike Head and Buck Simmons, before getting paved in 1987. … Skip Arp of Georgetown, Tenn., held off Joey Coulter to win last year’s $12,000 top prize, the first SAS asphalt race since June 24, 2001, at Birmingham (Ala.) International Raceway, a race won by three-time series champion Ronnie Johnson. … Johnson, of Chattanooga, Tenn., enters Friday with a 219-point lead over Michael Luna as he chases his fourth career series title. … Drivers will utilize tread-free racing slicks. … The Red Clay 602 Series ($1,500-to-win), renegade sportsman, mini stocks and thunder bombers are on the undercard. … Pits open at 2 p.m. and grandstands open at 4 with hot laps from 4:30-6:30. … Watch live on Ultra Broadcasting. … Practice was held Thursday night.

Who to watch: Points leader Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Tenn., seeks his first Southern All Stars victory of the season.

Points chase: Before Anderson: 1. Ronnie Johnson (3,000); 2. Michael Luna (2,781); 3. Billy Franklin (2,754); 4. Kendall Franklin (2,650); 5. Dillon Tidmore (2,205).

Expected entrants: Ronnie Johnson, Skip Arp, Billy Franklin, David Payne, Jamie Oliver, Heath Hindman, Joe Denby, Chase Oliver, Kendall Franklin, Michael Luna and others.

Next series race: October 11, Dixie Speedway (Woodstock, GA) $10,053