What won the race: Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., turned back a late-race restart challenge from Justin Kay of Wheatland, Iowa, for a $5,000 win in a 35-lap event co-sanctioned by the MARS DIRTcar Series and Corn Belt Clash Late Model Series on Davenport Speedway's half-mile oval.

Quotable: "It's a unique track for sure, and if you can hit that cushion right on the top, you can haul the mail around it," said Mars, who used the outside of turns one and two to overtake race-long pacesetter Tony Jackson Jr. of Lebanon, Mo., for the lead on a lap-16 restart. "Other times if you miss it just wrong, it can be kind of slow."

Key notes: Mars outgunned polesitter Jackson for the lead on a lap-16 restart, but shortly thereafter nearly had the same fate befall him. Mars spun his tires off turn four on a lap-23 restart and Kay charged ahead on the inside down the frontstretch and again on the backstretch, but Mars managed to turn back the threat without officially losing the lead. ... Kay, a three-time IMCA Late Model champ, was thrilled with his runner-up finish: "We struggled the last few years in the open (motor) stuff, so the first night out this year in one … to have a good run like this is pretty cool." ... Brian Shirley's hopes were effectively dashed when he spun in turn four on the fourth lap, collecting Jason Papich. ... Mars earned his first-ever MARS victory and his third with the Corn Belt Clash. It was his first triumph of '16 after runner-up finishes in Arizona and Wheatland, Mo. ... Friday's event served as the season opener at Davenport after last weekend's Rebel 5K (for the Deery Brothers Summer Series) was cancelled by poor weather.

On the move: Shirley charged from the rear after his early spin to register a sixth-place finish.

Winner's sponsors: Mars drives an MB Customs car with a Pro Power Racing Engine and sponsorship from Deppe Enterprises, S&S Transport, T.L. Sinz Plumbing, Keyes Chevytown and Baileigh Industrial.

Points chase: Jackson ended the night leading the MARS standings by 13 points (323-310) over Shirley; Shirley entered the evening leading the Corn Belt standings.

Car count: 28

Heat race winners: Tony Jackson Jr., Rodney Sanders, Jimmy Mars, Chris Simpson

Consolation race winners: Randy Timms

Next series race: June 17, Cedar Lake Speedway (New Richmond, WI) $5,000