What won the race: Edging ahead of Zack Mitchell as they raced under the white flag, third-starting Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., led the final two laps to steal Friday's $8,000 Bama Bash opener at Talladega Short Track. McDowell beat Mitchell to the checkers by 0.711 of a second for his second career Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series victory.

Quotable: “That’s an exciting race. That lapped traffic, Zack (Mitchell), I know I lost several (races) like that last year (being) in bad positions. (Running) second in those situations, you just go where (the leader’s) not,” McDowell said. “I was just going where he wasn’t and hoping that it would stick. This place was racy, hats off, Adam (Stewart) worked on the race track there a little bit. It started getting one lane and it widened out good there in the feature.”

Key notes: McDowell notched his first victory of the season in his second start for Shane McDowell Racing. ... It's his first Hunt the Front series triumph since Sept. 2, 2023, at Rome (Ga.) Speedway and his win of any kind since July 27, 2024, a $20,053 Southern Nationals payday at Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway. ... Zack Mitchell led the opening 38 laps from the pole before settling for second. ... Garrett Alberson took third from Chris Ferguson on lap 34. ... Ferguson, in his second start of the season, trailed Mitchell for the opening 23 laps before slipping to fourth. ... Ryan Gustin used a last-lap pass by Sam Seawright for sixth. ... Dalton Cook improved 11 positions and placed 11th after utilizing a series provisional. ... Tyler Erb finished 14th aboard Matt Tifft's No. 57 entry; Erb and Josh Putnam made heavy contact while battling for third in the fourth heat race, causing them both to miss the transfer. ... Putnam used a provisional and worked his way to 16th. ... The race's lone caution flew on lap 23 when Oakley Johns scraped the frontstretch wall just as Brandon Overton slowed from 19th. ... Ethan Dotson finished 25th aboard a backup after tagging the field following engine woes in his heat. ... The 40-lap prelim lasted 15 minutes, with 21 starters completing the distance and all 28 running at the finish. ... Hunt the Front Series regulars dropped their worst series finish thus far following Friday's action.

On the move: Cody Overton of Evans, Ga., started 15th and finished 10th.

Winner's sponsors: McDowell’s Shane McDowell Racing Team Zero Race Car has a Clements Chevrolet engine and sponsorship from Reece Monument Company, Cometic Gaskets, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, Bath Masters, Connected Strategy Advisors, Northeastern Fabrication, Campbell Insulation Specialists, M&S Motors, Black Rock Enterprises., BSI Well Service, S&H Systems, Be Cool Radiators, Spring-Pro and Fox Racing Shox.

Points chase: After Talladega Friday: 1. Dalton Cook (188); 2. Ricky Weiss (186); 3. Zack Mitchell (174); 4. Jimmy Owens (172); 5. Trey Mills (162).

Current weather: Clear, 77°F

Car count: 50

Fast qualifier: Garrett Alberson

Time: 13.328 seconds

Polesitter: Zack Mitchell

Heat race winners: Garrett Alberson, Sam Seawright, Dale McDowell, Zack Mitchell, Ricky Weiss, Chris Ferguson

Consolation race winners: Ross Bailes, Tyler Erb

Provisional starters: Dalton Cook, Trey Mills, Oakley Johns, Josh Putnam, Jackson Hise, Luke Morey

Next series race: May 2, Lavonia Speedway (Lavonia, GA) $10,000