What won the race: Plugging away in the low groove Saturday in the final laps, 14th-starting Justin Rattliff of Campbellsville, Ky., raced by teammate Josh Rice with four laps remaining at Florence Speedway for his first career Northern Allstars Late Model Series victory. The pole-starting Rice regained the lead from Devin Gilpin on the eighth lap and dominated the middle stages of the Spring 50 before Rattliff tracked him down while also dueling eventual runner-up Mike Marlar.

Quotable: “Man, we had a good race car,” Rattliff said. “That was a hell of a race with Josh … I’ll tell you what, he did a good job. The track was just awesome. You could go all over it.”

Key notes: Rattliff dedicated the win to JRR team manager Tim Tungate, a former Dirt Late Model driving standout who wasn't at the track after being hospitalized with health issues, and the late Jeff Gullett, Tungate's predecessor at the team's helm who died in September 2024. ... Josh Rice, seeking his first win of 2026 for JRR Motorsports, led the first five laps then laps 8-46. He slipped to fourth in the finishing order, however, as he struggled through the final laps with his car's right-rear wheel cover shoved in by mud, causing a wicked vibration. He later reported something broke in the rear end. ... Devin Gilpin led laps 6-7 and finished fifth. ... Billy Green, who ran as high as fourth, retired at halfway. ... Seven cautions slowed the action, the first on the seventh lap for debris just after Gilpin took the lead with a three-wide pass. ... Adam Stricker, debuting in the Team Christy Racing entry, slowed for a lap-14 yellow. ... Debris slowed the race again on lap 21, erasing a six-second lead for Rice. ... A lap-39 yellow appeared when Freddie Carpenter stopped in turn two. ... Lap 41 and 43 yellows also were displayed, the second for Ryan Markham's spin in turn two. ... The final yellow appeared on lap 45 when third-running Mike Marlar briefly got hung up in the turn-two fence. Marlar earned fast qualifier honors then lost his car's driveshaft on the first lap of his heat race, forcing him to a consolation race that he won. ... Jason Jameson was scheduled to start outside the front row, but he headed to the hot pit during the parade laps and a broken A-arm bolt prevented him from rejoining the field. ... Rice picked up an extra $2,500 for winning the John Weber Dash among heat winners, a prelim honoring the late track co-owner and longtime team owner.

On the move: Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., started 16th and finished second.

Winner's sponsors: Rattliff's JRR Motorsports Longhorn Chassis is sponsored by Grant Lee Farms, MGL Auto Sales, Keltner Contracting, JRR Trcuking, JRR Motors Sales, ICS, The Auto Outlet, New Point Lighting & Design, B&L Construction & Septic Service and Antonio's Pizza Pub

Points chase: It’s the season opener.

Current weather: Clear, 66°F

Car count: 35

Fast qualifier: Mike Marlar

Time: 15.810 seconds

Polesitter: Josh Rice

Dash winner: Josh Rice

Heat race winners: Jason Jameson, Josh Rice, Camaron Marlar, Trevor Landrum

Consolation race winners: Mike Marlar, Cody Mahoney

Provisional starters: Mike Hildebrand, Jake Leitzman, Todd Brennan

Next series race: April 3, Ponderosa Speedway (Junction City, KY) $10,000