Key notes: The Schaeffer’s Spring Nationals continues its Easter weekend tripleheader with Friday’s 53-lap, $10,053-to-win middle stop at Wythe Raceway. … Dale McDowell led the final 24 laps of Thursday’s $5,053 weekend opener at I-75 Raceway in Sweetwater, Tenn.; it was his first Spring Nationals win in a little more than two years. McDowell is a four-time Southern Nationals winner at Wythe, earning more than $40,000. … Hudson O’Neal led the opening 16 laps of Thursday’s opener before settling for second after opening-lap contact with Brandon Overton. … Overton, of Evans, Ga., won the last Spring Nationals race at Wythe on April 15, 2022, also worth $10,053. Overton is a two-time Southern Nationals winner there (2019, ’20), combining for more than $20,000. … Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., has seven major victories there going back as far as 2007, including five on the Southern Nationals, worth more than $40,000 over that span. … Chris Ferguson of Mount Holly, N.C., is a two-time Carolina Clash Series winner there (2014, ’17), worth $8,000. … Modifieds, super streets, pro minis, U-car, K-car and Crown Vics are on the undercard. … Pits open at 3 p.m. and grandstands open at 5 with hot laps at 7. … Watch live on FloRacing.

Who to watch: Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., eyes his second straight Spring Nationals victory after winning Thursday at I-75.

Points chase: Before I-75 Thursday: 1. Tucker Anderson (622); 2. Garrett Smith (606); 3. Kendall Franklin (586); 4. Payton Freeman (461); 5. Brandon Overton (392).

Expected entrants: Dale McDowell, Hudson O'Neal, Brandon Overton, Chris Madden, Chris Ferguson, Sam Seawright, Garrett Smith, Tucker Anderson, Michael Leach, Jason Welshan, Kaede Loudy, Luke Morey, David Payne, John Ownbey, Cameron Weaver, Jordon Horton, Heath Hindman, Steve Smith, David Crabtree, Jack Franklin, Ruben Mayfield, Jordan Rodabaugh, Will Hicks and more.

Current weather: Clear, 72°F

Next series race: April 4, Tazewell Speedway (Tazewell, TN) $21,000