What won the race: Taking the lead on lap 15, Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., paced the rest of the way at I-94 Sure Step Speedway to capture Friday's Structural Buildings WISSOTA Challenge Series opener. The five-time series champion beat polesitter Cole Schill of Hawley, Minn., to the finish line by 2.712 seconds to collect $5,000.

Key notes: Doar has a series-leading 36 career victories. ... Second-starting Ryan Mikkelson of Alexandria, Minn., led the opening two circuits but settled for a third-place finish. ... Father-and-son duo Jimmy and Sam Mars of Menomonie, Wis., finished fifth and sixth. ... Sixteen starters competed all 40 laps of the season opener, which lasted 18 minutes and 18 seconds. ... The WISSOTA Challenge Series saw Saturday's scheduled event at Viking Speedway in Alexandria, Minn., spoiled by storms.

On the move: Cole Searing of Huron, S.D., started ninth and finished fourth.

Winner's sponsors: Doar’s Rocket Chassis is powered by a Vic Hill engine and carries sponsorship from Kivi Brothers Trucking, Polar Industries and Speedwerx Performance Exhaust.

Points chase: I-94’s event opened the Structural Buildings WISSOTA Challenge Series season; Darrell Nelson of Hermantown, Minn., is the reigning champion.

Current weather: Clear, 57°F

Car count: 37

Polesitter: Cole Schill

Heat race winners: Ryan Mikkelson, Pat Doar, Kevin Burdick, Cole Schill

Consolation race winners: Jake Redetzke, Ryan Corbett

Provisional starters: Morgan Ward-Grosz

Next series race: June 25, Ogilvie Raceway (Ogilvie, MN) $0