Key notes: Greenville Speedway opens its 2026 season with Saturday’s $3,000-to-win Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series return to the black gumbo. … It’s the first series race there since Tyler Erb of New Waverly, Texas, swept last fall’s Gumbo Nationals, worth more than $15,000. Erb is competing this weekend at Fairbury (Ill.) Speedway’s 36th annual Prairie Dirt Classic along with notable MSCCS competitors Brian Rickman and Neil Baggett. … Points leader Bo Slay of Milton, Fla., seeks his third MSCCS victory of the season after sweeping the April 10-11 season-opening weekend at Super Bee Speedway in Chatham, La. … Mike Palasini Jr. of Leland, Miss., has eight Greenville specials since 2018, including three MSSCS victories, earning more than $35,000 over that span. … Randall Beckwith of Kilmichael, Miss., earned a $10,000 Crate Racin’ USA 604 Series payday there in 2022. … Rick Rickman of Columbus, Miss., is a two-time MSCCS winner at Greenville (2017, ’19), worth more than $5,500. … 604 Crate Late Models, 602 Crate Sportsman, street stocks, factory stocks, hot shots, young guns and Crown Vics are on the undercard. … Gates open at 4 p.m. with racing at 7. … Practice was Friday night.

Who to watch: Mike Palasini Jr. of Leland, Miss., seeks his fourth MSCCS victory and ninth career Greenville special.

Points chase: Before Greenville: 1. Bo Slay (890); 2. Mark Dodson (715); 3. Randall Beckwith (495); 4. Chase Holland (370); 5. Easton Bollinger (360).

Expected entrants: Mike Palasini Jr., Bo Slay, Tanner Kellick, Rick Rickman, Chase Holland, Austin Storm, Mark Dodson, Randall Beckwith, Matthew Brocato, Derrick Nichols, Easton Bollinger, Joseph Long, Ryan Wilson, Bobby Jordan, David Williamson, Kason Harper, James Moore and others.

Next series race: August 8, Mitchell's Motorplex (Perkinston, MS) $0