Key notes: The Schaeffer’s Spring Nationals concludes its 2026 season with Thursday’s rain-postponed 40-lap, $7,553-to-win Biddle Ridley Memorial at North Georgia Speedway. … The event honors James “Biddle” Ridley of Chatsworth, Ga., a winning short track racer who had even greater success as a NASCAR crew chief for his brother, Jody Ridley. Biddle Ridley died in July, 2012 after a two-year battle with cancer. … Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., won the last Spring Nationals race at North Georgia on May 27, 2023, adding to his two Southern Nationals wins in 2023 and ’24. McDowell has feature wins there going back to the fall of 2007, earning more than $40,000 over that span. … Zack Mitchell of Enoree, S.C., is fresh off his first Spring Nationals victory on May 9 at Lake Cumberland Speedway in Burnside, Ky., worth $10,031. Mitchell won April 10’s Hunt the Front weekend opener at North Georgia after topping last June’s Southern All Star Series visit, combining for more than $12,000, but he is dealing with hauler issues and will not be racing this weekend. … Sam Seawright of Rainsville, Ala., fresh off a $5,000 SAS victory May 16 at Duck River Raceway Park in Wheel, Tenn., won last year’s $10,053 Southern Nationals event at North Georgia. … Garrett Smith of Madison, Ga., has clinched his second straight Spring Nationals miniseries title. … The Red Clay 602 Series ($2,000-to-win) and 604 Crates headline a six-division undercard. … Pits open at 3 p.m. and grandstands open at 4 with hot laps at 7. … Watch live on FloRacing.

Who to watch: Garrett Smith of Madison, Ga., looks for a strong run to cap his second straight Spring Nationals title.

Points chase: Before North Georgia: 1. Garrett Smith (1,548); 2. Brandon Overton (924); 3. Benji Hicks (916); 4. Kaede Loudy (912); 5. Jack Franklin (894).

Expected entrants: Garrett Smith, Dale McDowell, Sam Seawright, Shane Clanton, Benji Hicks, Michael Page, Kaede Loudy, Luke Morey, Matt Dooley, Caleb Gay, Austin Smith, Todd Morrow, Allen Styck, Dillon Daves, Will Hicks, Jack Franklin and others.