What won the race: Fending off a mid-race challenge from Dylan Thompson, fourth-starting Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., led all 15 laps to win Friday's $5,000 DIRTcar-sanctioned season opener at Paducah International Raceway. It's Feger's first feature victory of the season on American soil after notching a couple February triumphs while overseas in New Zealand.

Key notes: The third-starting Thompson, of Paducah, Ky., threw a turn-three slide job attempt on lap eight, with Feger executing a textbook crossover move and speeding to the victory; Thompson's late-race wall contact led to a flat right-rear tire as he came to take the white flag and he was unable to finish. ... Jason Riggs regained the runner-up spot from Thompson on lap 13 and finished 2.787 seconds behind Feger. ... Second-starting Matt Cooper slammed the wall on the opening turn and slowed on the backstretch to draw the race's first caution; Matt then replaced Ronnie Cooper in the No. 10 machine while under yellow and improved three positions, finishing third; Ronnie was credited with eighth. ... Friday's season opener at PIR, contested on the undercard to the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars, was slowed by four cautions and lasted 12 minutes, with three drivers running at the finish. ... Cyle Forgy and Jeff Sloan scratched from the main event lineup.

On the move: Race winner, Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., started fourth.

Winner's sponsors: Feger’s Longhorn Chassis has a Jay Dickens Racing Engine with sponsorship from Titan Industries, Digital Copy Systems, Hoker Trucking, The Big Cheese MM, Floyd’s Waste Systems, Remtek Enterprises, RLM Enterprises, Cheap Cars, FK Rod Ends, Keyser Manufacturing, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, VP Racing Fuels and Griffin Signs.

Points chase: Paducah track points after Friday: 1. Jason Feger (75); 2. Jason Riggs (70); 3. Matt Cooper (65); 4. Dylan Thompson (60); 5. Dustin Rollins (55).

Current weather: Overcast, 57°F

Car count: 10

Fast qualifier: Jason Riggs

Polesitter: Jason Riggs

Heat race winners: Jason Riggs, Matt Cooper