Key notes: Magnolia Motor Speedway hosts the 23rd annual Cotton Pickin’, a $20,000-to-win special for unsanctioned Super Late Models. … The two-day program begins with Friday’s time trials and heat races preceding Saturday’s consolations and 60-lap main event. … Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., and Tyler Erb of New Waverly, Texas, are a pair of surprise entrants after rain cancelled the Knoxville Late Model Nationals. … Ashton Winger of Hampton, Ga., has four major wins at Magnolia, including 2023’s Cotton Pickin’ and a sweep of this year’s Hunt the Front Series-sanctioned Clash at the Mag, worth more than $20,000. … Ethan Dotson of Bakersfield, Calif., topped 2024’s Cotton Pickin’ for a $20,000 payday. … Trey Mills of St. Augustine, Fla., won last year’s Cotton Pickin’ in Comp Cams Series action. … Neil Baggett has five special event victories since 2018 at his home track, worth more than $14,000. … 604 Crate Late Models ($3,000-to-win), 602 Late Model Sportsman ($1,500-to-win), street stocks, modifieds, factory stocks and Crown Vics are on the undercard. … Pits open at 3 p.m. with hot laps at 7, nightly; grandstands open at 5:30 p.m. for Friday’s prelim night and 4 for Saturday’s finale. … Watch live on Hunt the Front TV and The Mag TV. … Practice was Thursday night.

Who to watch: Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., seeks his first career Cotton Pickin’ victory at Magnolia.

Expected entrants: Bobby Pierce, Tyler Erb, Ashton Winger, Sam Seawright, Trey Mills, Ethan Dotson, Billy Moyer, Shane Clanton, Neil Baggett, Rick Rickman, Clay Stuckey, Michael Leach, Morgan Bagley, Evan Ellis, Jeremy Shaw, Clay Harris, Jason Milam, Randall Beckwith, Jade Luzenberg, Cam Harris, Jake Milam and more.

Current weather: Clear, 95°F