What won the race: Ending Dale McDowell's two-race win streak on the Schaeffer's Southern Nationals at North Georgia Speedway, Sam Seawright slid past his fellow front-row starter on the 29th lap and held off a late challenge from Zack Mitchell to capture the 53-lapper for a $10,053 payday. Seawright's second career series victory also ended the two-race win streak of the fourth-starting Mitchell, who won earlier in the week at Toccoa (Ga.) Raceway and Sugar Creek Raceway in Blue Ridge, Ga. The pole-starting McDowell, who won at North Georgia in 2023-24, ended up third.

Quotable: "I kind of followed Dale there and I could just kind of see where I could gain on him," Seawright said. "I could kind of roll the middle and then I moved up and he moved up and I was thinking, 'Oh I'm in trouble now,' but I moved back down and I was actually better down there, so I had an awesome race car."

Key notes: Sam Seawright's previous Southern Nationals victory came July 29, 2021, at the now-closed Boyd's Speedway in Ringgold, Ga. ... Seawright was vulnerable to runner-up Zack Mitchell in the closing laps in trying to work through lapped traffic. ... Mitchell has two victories and two runner-up finished in four series starts. ... Two cautions slowed the 53-lapper. ... Sixth-running Jimmy Owens had a lap-14 flat tire. ... The first start was called back when Tod Hernandez stopped atop turn three. ... In prelims, title contender Garrett Smith spun battling for the lead with prelim winner David Payne in the third heat and was forced to take a provisional. ... The series wraps up Saturday at Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway with Smith holding a slim four-point lead over Owens and an eight-point advantage over Kaede Loudy, who finished sixth Friday night at North Georgia.

On the move: Booger Brooks of Chickamauga, Ga., started 11th and finished fifth.

Winner's sponsors: Seawright’s Mach X Chassis is powered by an Andy Durham Racing engine and sponsored by Coltman Farms Racing, AGCOR Steel, Baird J&R Excavating, Grow Pediatric Therapy, Cove 2 Coast Marine, First Bank of Alabama, Farm Systems, J&R Lumber Supply Construction, Houston Project, Lance Kittle Truck and Trailer Repair, Farm Systems, Inc., Warren Construction and Freestyle Graphix.

Points chase: After North Georgia: 1. Garrett Smith (1,686); 2. Jimmy Owens (1,682); 3. Kaede Loudy (1,678); 4. Mike Benedum (1,628); 5. Beckham Malone (1,590).

Current weather: Few Clouds, 82°F

Car count: 27

Fast qualifier: Dale McDowell

Time: 13.771 seconds

Polesitter: Dale McDowell

Heat race winners: Dale McDowell, Sam Seawright, David Payne

Consolation race winners: Will Roland

Provisional starters: Garrett Smith, Beckham Malone

Next series race: July 26, Tazewell Speedway (Tazewell, TN) $10,053