What won the race: Jake Knowles of Rome, Ga., held off a charging Sam Seawright on the final lap to earn his sixth Durrence Lance Chevrolet Series victory of the season, winning Friday's weekend opener at Talladega Short Track. Knowles led every lap to top the 16-year-old Seawright for a $2,000 triumph.

Quotable: “After that last caution flag, I was trying to pace myself to keep from hitting lapped traffic before the end of the race, so I slowed down maybe a little too much on the last lap,” Knowles said. “We’re on a roll here lately, so we’ll dust this car off, and get a new set of Hoosier Tires to put on it, and we’ll be ready to go for tomorrow night.”

Key notes: Seawright caught Knowles in traffic on the final circuit and moved to the leader's inside, but Knowles managed to win the drag race to the finish. ... The race was slowed by five cautions. ... Knowles's six wins in a series-best. ... A $2,500-to-win feature is on tap on Saturday. … Friday marked the series’ fourth visit to TST this year.

On the move: John Ownbey of Cleveland, Tenn., started 22nd and finished ninth.

Winner's sponsors: Knowles drives a Longhorn Chassis sponsored by Knowles Race Parts & Bodies, Josh Roberts Trucking, Buster Goss Body Shop, Martins Wrecker Service, Curbow Logging, Coosa Heating & Cooling and JW Motorsports.

Points chase: Entering the weekend, Jake Knowles (1,320 points) of Rome, Ga., led Cruz Skinner (1,236), Wil Herrrington (1,134), Oakley Johns (1,134) and Tyler Wood (1,134).

Current weather: Cloudy, 78°F

Car count: 36

Fast qualifier: Jake Knowles

Time: 14.852 seconds

Polesitter: Jake Knowles

Heat race winners: T.J. Brittain, Christian Hanger

Provisional starters: Jake Rainey, Donald Johns

Next series race: October 12, Talladega Short Track (Eastaboga, AL) $2,500