What won the race: Reigning Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series champion Bub McCool of Vicksburg, Miss. took home a $2,500 payday by capturing the tour's season-opener at Whynot Motorsports Park. McCool survived a mid-race battle with Brian Rickman of Columbus, Miss., for his 23rd career series victory.

Quotable: “We’ve been chomping at the bit to get our season started but the weather has been rough everywhere that we’ve tried to race,” McCool said. “I want to thank Randy Thompson and this entire team for giving me a flawless, race car tonight.”

Key notes: McCool previously won the MSCCS's Mississippi State Championship at Whynot on Sept. 18-19, 2015; he has six career series victories in Meridian, including at least one per year in four of the past five seasons. ... Prior to a caution flag on lap 37, McCool had stretched his lead to more than a half-track margin. ... The third annual Battle of the States drew more than 200 race cars on a warm spring evening. ... Mike Palasini Jr. won the Crate feature.

On the move: Ninth-starting Jack Sullivan of Greenbrier Ark., rallied to finish second.

Winner's sponsors: McCool's Club 29 Race Car is powered by a Jay Dickens Race Engine and sponsored by McCool Logging, BBB Triple Trucking, Little Randy's Hunting Camp, Thompson's Auto Repair, Schaeffer's Oil and MSR Mafia.

Points chase: The event was the MSCCS season opener. McCool is the reigning series champ.

Car count: 24

Fast qualifier: Bub McCool

Polesitter: Rick Rickman

Dash winner: Rick Rickman

Consolation race winners: Jack Sullivan, Dwight Falcon

Next series race: April 16, Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, MS) $2,500