What won the race: Winning by more than a three-second margin, third-starting Carson Ferguson of Concord, N.C., cruised to the $5,500 payday in the Crate Late Model portion of the inaugural North Carolina State Championship on Saturday at Friendship Motor Speedway. He finished ahead of Layton Sullivan and Benji Hicks.

Key notes: Fast qualifier and polesitter Winky McGee of Pilot Mountain, N.C., retired on the 22nd lap while running third. ... McGee led the first two laps before Carson Ferguson took command. … Gary Mabe ran third early but faded and retired before halfway. ... Friendship’s first-ever North Carolina State Championship featured a six-division card headlined by a $10,500-to-win Super Late Model race which was picked up by Kyle Strickler of Mooresville, N.C.

On the move: Layton Sullivan of Gaffney, S.C., started 11th and finished second.

Winner's sponsors: Ferguson’s Longhorn Chassis is sponsored by WP Racing Shocks, Hoopaugh Grading Company, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil and Bilstein.

Points chase: Before Friday: 1. x-Steve Blackburn (1,175); 2. Kyle Pierce (779); 3. Raymond Brown (646); 4. Dylan Watson (504); 5. Johnny Stovall (472). x-clinched track championship

Current weather: Overcast, 66°F

Car count: 21

Fast qualifier: Winky McGee

Time: 16.445 seconds

Polesitter: Winky McGee

Heat race winners: Dustin Brim, Matt Long