Key notes: The Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series presented by Showtime Properties kicks off a doubleheader weekend with Thursday’s 50-lap, $12,018-to-win third annual Scott Bloomquist Memorial Scorcher at Volunteer Speedway. … The event honors Bloomquist, the Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer who hailed from nearby Mooresburg, Tenn., and accumulated 23 career feature wins at the high-banked Bulls Gap, Tenn., oval. … Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., won last year’s Bloomquist Memorial there in FloRacing Series action, worth $20,000. … Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., has amassed 13 Volunteer specials since 2009, combining to collect nearly $250,000 over that span. … Points leader Tucker Anderson of Blairsville, Ga., seeks his fourth Southern All Star Series victory of the season. … Zack Mitchell of Enoree, S.C., earned his first career World of Outlaws Series victory there in June 2020, worth $10,000. … Jake O’Neil of Tucson, Ariz., captured his first career Schaeffer’s Southern Nationals win in July, earning $7,552. … Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., has 13 major wins since 2007 at Volunteer, worth more than $120,000. ... Camaron Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., topped 2024’s Scorcher for a $10,000 payday. … Sportsman, street stocks and Crown Vics are on the undercard. … Pits open at 3 p.m. and grandstands open at 4 with hot laps at 6:30. … Watch live on The Thrill TV.

Who to watch: Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., chases his first Volunteer Speedway special event victory since July 2024.

Points chase: Before Volunteer: 1. Tucker Anderson (2,820); 2. Kendall Franklin (2,688); 3. Dillon Daves (2,638); 4. Billy Franklin (2,506); 5. Will Hicks (2,416).

Expected entrants: Dale McDowell, Chris Madden, Zack Mitchell, Jake O’Neil, Jimmy Owens, Donald McIntosh, Tucker Anderson, Casey Roberts, Billy Franklin, Camaron Marlar, Kendall Franklin, Jensen Ford, Austin Neely, Manny Falcon, Dillon Daves, Will Hicks and more.

Next series race: September 19, I-75 Raceway (Sweetwater, TN) $5,000