Key notes: The World of Outlaws Late Model Series makes its debut at Magnolia Motor Speedway in this weekend’s Duel at the Mag. … The two-day show officially begins with Friday’s 40-lap, $12,000-to-win opener preceding Saturday’s 60-lap, $20,000-to-win finale. … Practice is 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday night. … Two-time and reigning WoO champ Bobby Pierce assumed the points lead after last Friday’s weekend opener at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn.; he enters Friday with a seven-point advantage over Nick Hoffman. … Ashton Winger topped 2023’s Cotton Pickin’ event at Magnolia, worth $12,000 in Comp Cams Super Dirt Series action. … Ethan Dotson won 2024’s Comp Cams-sanctioned Cotton Pickin’, worth $20,000. … Trey Mills outdueled Dotson to win last fall’s $20,000 Cotton Pickin’. … Spencer Hughes had three major victories there in 2024, including a Clash at the Mag sweep, worth more than $17,000. … Modifieds, Crown Vics and factory stocks are on the undercard nightly. … Pits open at 2 p.m. and grandstands open at 5 with hot laps at 6:30, daily. … Watch live on DIRTVision.

Who to watch: Ethan Dotson of Bakersfield, Calif., eyes his second career major victory at Magnolia.

Points chase: Before Magnolia Friday: 1. Bobby Pierce (1,328); 2. Nick Hoffman (1,321); 3. Tim McCreadie (1,276); 4. Ryan Gustin (1,237); 5. Tyler Erb (1,236); 6. Drake Troutman (1,228); 7. Daulton Wilson (1,225); 8. Ethan Dotson (1,220); 9. Dustin Sorensen (1,215); 10. Dennis Erb Jr. (1,182).

Expected entrants: Among drivers expected to join the top 10 in series standings: Ashton Winger, Hudson O’Neal, Jonathan Davenport, Dale McDowell, Cade Dillard, Garrett Alberson, Spencer Hughes, Sam Seawright, Neil Baggett, Jake O’Neil, Brian Rickman, Clay Stuckey, Trey Mills, Luke Morey, Michael Leach, Rick Rickman, Tristan Chamberlain, Logan Zarin, Dillard Hatchett, Brent Larson and more.

Next series race: March 21, Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, MS) $20,000