What won the race: Pole-starting Mark Whitener of Middleburg, Fla., led all 40 laps at Needmore Speedway to win Saturday's $10,000 fourth annual Gene Maine Memorial feature, the seventh Crate Racin' USA victory of his career. Whitener's triumph moved him into the series points lead.

Quotable: “Yeah I don’t know where I’ve had ups, we’ve had a terrible year,” Whitener said. “But I mean we got back in this Savage Chassis and this thing is phenomenal. It was a snug tight, I went with a little harder tire on the right front and I think I maybe shouldn’t have. I remember Gene Maine when I was growing up, I remember him racing and he was definitely a badass. Just to win on his behalf is pretty cool. I like the memorial races. It means more to win a memorial race."

Key notes: Fifth-starting Joshua Bishop moved into the runner-up position on a lap-32 restart and finished 1.689 seconds back. ... Hunter Peacock started and finished third. ... Jake Knowles moved into fourth on lap 35 and finished there. ... Reigning CRUSA champion Jason Welshan advanced one position and finished sixth. ... Pearson Lee Williams gained three spots and finished seventh. ... Jackson Hise started 17th and finished ninth. ... Mario Gresham pitted to replace a flat right-rear tire on lap 33 and finished 12th. ... Following a $5,000 victory at Needmore last fall, Russell Brown Jr. retired on lap 38 while running eighth. ... Trynt Lloyd drew the race's first caution on lap 31 after slowing from seventh. ... Saturday's feature, shortened to 40 laps (from 50) because of tire-wear concerns, was slowed by three cautions and lasted 22 minutes, with 14 competitors completing the distance.

On the move: Jimmy Thomas of Phenix City, Ala., started 23rd and finished 10th.

Winner's sponsors: Whitener’s Cody Jett-owned Savage Chassis is sponsored by Southeast Ship Repair, Whitener’s Tractor Service, Johnny Doan Plumbing, Ocala Restaurant Supply, JETT Concrete Works, ML Motorsports, Angry Elephant Tattoo and Piercing, Baker Farms, RaceCar Engineering, ETG, Boswell Oil, VP Racing Fuels, FK Rod Ends, Penske Shocks, Swift Springs and Hoosier Racing Tire.

Points chase: After Needmore: 1. Mark Whitener (348); 2. Jason Welshan (346); 3. Jake Knowles (330); 4. Hunter Peacock (318); 5. Blake Craft (312).

Current weather: Clear, 73°F

Car count: 43

Fast qualifier: Mark Whitener

Time: 16.075 seconds

Polesitter: Mark Whitener

Heat race winners: Jake Knowles, Mark Whitener, Blake Craft, Hunter Peacock

Consolation race winners: Jackson Hise, Jeff Baggett

Provisional starters: Jimmy Thomas, Jason Markewitz

Next series race: May 27, All-Tech Raceway (Ellisville, FL) $10,000