Key notes: The Ultimate Southeast and Ultimate Heart of America Series converge at Duck River Raceway Park for Saturday’s 40-lap, $6,000-to-win Winterfest. … Sam Seawright of Rainsville, Ala., was a three-time winner last year at Duck River, including capturing the last three Winterfest events (2023-’25). Seawright is expected to travel to Smoky Mountain Speedway with the World of Outlaws after he and Coltman Farms Racing teammate, Luke Morey, raced in Friday’s WoO stop at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn. … Christian Hanger of Winchester, Tenn., topped 2022’s Winterfest before also adding a $3,000 Winterfest prelim victory there in ’24. … Michael Page of Douglasville, Ga., muscled his way by Josh Rice en route to winning last fall’s Gobbler, worth $7,500. … Tanner English of Benton, Ky., won 2024’s Deep Fried in Hunt the Front Series action after Ashton Winger and Dale McDowell tangled. … Josh Putnam of Florence, Ala., earned a Schaeffer’s Spring Nationals victory there in ’24, worth $10,053. … 602 Crate Late Models ($1,200-to-win) headline a nine-division undercard, including a $1,000-to-win enduro. … Pits open at 10 a.m. and grandstands open at noon with hot laps at 1:30 p.m. … Practice was Friday night.

Who to watch: Josh Putnam of Florence, Ala., eyes his first feature victory of the 2026 season.

Points chase: It’s the season opener.

Expected entrants: Josh Putnam, Tanner English, Jadon Frame, Christian Hanger, Oakley Johns, Michael Page, Jason Riggs, Dillard Hatchett, Jack Riggs, David Seibers, Brad Skinner, Andy Picklesimer, Grayson Brewer, Brayden Skinner, Michael Luna, Jack Franklin and others.

Next series race: March 20, Blackwater Speedway (Baker, FL) $4,000