What won the race: Holding off a charging Jeep Van Wormer in the closing laps, seventh-starting Rusty Schlenk of McClure, Ohio, soared to the win in Friday night’s Challenge Series opener at Tri-City Motor Speedway. Crossing the finish line 0.905 seconds ahead of Van Wormer, Schlenk pocketed $3,000.

Key notes: Kyle Novak of Traverse City, Mich., had a rollover accident in prelims but crawled out of the car with only soreness and no serious injuries. ... Friday's $3,000-to-win event was the first of the weekend doubleheader for the new Lane Automotive-Allstar Performance Tri-City-Merritt Speedway Challenge Series miniseries. … Action shifts to Merritt Speedway Saturday for a $5,000-to-win event.

On the move: Kyle Roberts of Beaverton, Mich., started 21st and finished seventh.

Winner's sponsors: Schlenk’s Domination Race Car is powered by a Mullins Engine and sponsored by Buckeye Concrete Coatings, Tom Finch Automotive, Dominator Race Products, Velocita USA, Landrum Performance Springs, VP Racing Fuel, Vahlco Racing Wheels, Wilwood and CP-Carrillo, Bilstein, ML Performance, Allstar Performance.

Current weather: Clear, 61°F

Car count: 35

Fast qualifier: Logan Arntz

Time: 12.455 seconds

Polesitter: Tyler Norton

Heat race winners: Dona Marcoullier, Brandon Thirlby, Travis Stemler, Rusty Schlenk

Consolation race winners: Kyle Roberts, Isaac Wolfgang