What won the race: Polesitter Zack Mitchell of Enoree, S.C., cleared Michael Chilton out of turn two on the opening lap and fought off midrace challenges while navigating lapped traffic en route to a dominant flag-to-flag victory in Friday's Jerry Denson Memorial at Ponderosa Speedway. Mitchell beat Cody Overton by 1.489 seconds for the $7,502 payday, his third career Southern All Star Series victory and fourth overall feature win of the season.

Key notes: Mitchell led all 40 laps for his first Southern All Star Series victory since June 20, 2025, at Chatsworth's North Georgia Speedway. ... It's his second victory in the last nine days for new car owner G.R. Smith, adding to his Aug. 20 triumph in the Schaeffer's Southern Nationals season finale at Toccoa (Ga.) Raceway. ... Mitchell also collected $102 as the night's fast qualifier, courtesy of Shelton’s Body Shop. ... Second-starting Michael Chilton briefly took the runner-up spot from Cody Overton on lap 19 and crossed the line just 0.252 of a second behind Mitchell as the frontrunners raced through lapped traffic. ... Overton retook second from Chilton on a lap-23 restart but never seriously challenged Mitchell over the race's second half, with Chilton settling for third. ... Mike Marlar, who pitted under the lap-23 caution with heavy right-side damage, briefly took fourth on the lap-23 restart until slowing a lap later while trailing heavy smoke; Marlar retired and was credited with 11th. ... Garrett Smith inherited fourth on lap 24 and finished there with Jason Jameson, a two-time Ponderosa winner this season, rounding out the top-five finishers. ... Points leader Tucker Anderson slowed from fourth with a flat left-rear tire to trigger the lap-23 caution and was unable to return to competition. ... Will Hicks slammed the turn-one wall on lap five for the race's first slowdown before requiring a tow pitside. ... Dustin Linville pulled off on the second lap as the race's first retiree after suffering heavy damage in the B-main. ... The event honored Jerry Denson of Middleburg, Ky., a former Dirt Late Model racer and promoter of Ponderosa Speedway; Denson died on Sept. 3, 2021, at the age of 53. ... The 40-lapper lasted 22 minutes with seven starters completing the distance and 10 running at the finish.

On the move: Jason Jameson of Lawrenceburg, Ind., started 11th and finished fifth.

Winner's sponsors: Mitchell‘s Team 22 Inc. Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Vic Hill Racing Engine and sponsored by Victory Circle Auto Sales, Gambler Transport, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Brick House Tavern, LakeHouse Bar & Grill, Unified Electrical Services, SJK Construction, VG Performance, Bilstein Shocks, VP Racing Fuels, STAKT Racing Products and Dirt King Apparel.

Points chase: Before Ponderosa: 1. Tucker Anderson (2,066); 2. Kendall Franklin (1,948); 3. Dillon Daves (1,928); 4. Billy Franklin (1,788); 5. Will Hicks (1,712).

Current weather: Clear, 73°F

Car count: 16

Fast qualifier: Zack Mitchell

Time: 12.558 seconds

Polesitter: Zack Mitchell

Consolation race winners: Beckham Malone

Next series race: August 29, Lake Cumberland Speedway (Burnside, KY) $12,022