Key notes: Greenville Speedway hosts the 20th annual Gumbo Nationals, a weekend doubleheader for Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series competitors, starting with Friday’s 40-lap, $5,000-to-win prelim. … The two-day program concludes with Saturday’s 50-lap, $10,000-to-win finale. … Mike Palasini Jr. of Leland, Miss., swept 2023’s Gumbo Nationals, worth more than $15,000 before topping July’s $3,000 MSCCS series stop. … Kyle Beard of Trumann, Ark., is fresh off Sunday’s $3,014 Heartland Late Model Tour victory at Legit Speedway Park in West Plains, Mo. … Neil Baggett of Columbus, Miss., is a five-time feature winner at Greenville, including 2022’s Comp Cams Series-sanctioned Gumbo Nationals, worth $8,000. … Brian Rickman of Columbus, Miss., has nine Greenville specials, including Gumbo Nationals triumphs in 2017 and ’19. … Brian’s younger brother, Rick Rickman of Columbus, Miss., has MSCCS victories there in 2017 and ’19, combining for more than $5,500. … Randall Beckwith of Kilmichael, Miss., earned a $10,000 Crate Racin’ USA 604 Series victory there in April 2022. … Free light sticks will be given to kids in attendance each night. … 604 Crate Late Models ($3,000-to-win), 602 Crates ($1,000-to-win), street stocks, modifieds, factory stocks, hot shots and young guns contest prelims on Friday’s undercard before Saturday’s consolations and main events. … Gates open at 4 p.m. with racing at 7 for Friday’s prelim, then two hours earlier for Saturday’s finale. … Watch live on Dirt Rich TV.

Who to watch: Mike Palasini Jr. of Leland, Miss., seeks his second straight MSCCS victory at Greenville.

Points chase: Before Greenville Friday: 1. Bo Slay (1,115); 2. Mark Dodson (880); 3. Randall Beckwith (650); 4. Easton Bollinger (470); 5. Brian Rickman (465).

Expected entrants: Mike Palasini Jr., Kyle Beard, Neil Baggett, Bo Slay, Brian Rickman, Tanner Kellick, Jon Mitchell, Brandon Carpenter, Rick Rickman, Randall Beckwith, Mark Dodson, Evan Ellis, Jason Milam, Austin Storm, Cam Harris, Hunter Lewis, Easton Bollinger, Kason Harper, Chance Mann, Dean Carpenter, Michael King Jr., Jake Milam, Derrick Nichols, Shawn Mann and others.

Current weather: Clear, 93°F

Next series race: October 10, Greenville Speedway (Greenville, MS) $10,000