What won the race: Rodney Sanders of Happy, Texas, led 25 laps from the outside front row Friday at Murray County Speedway to capture the $1,500 Minnesota Dirt Nationals weekend opener. The victory was his second in a row the RepairableVehicles.com Tri-State Series, following up Sept. 13's triumph at Clay County Fair Speedway in Spencer, Iowa.

Key notes: Fifth-starting Nate Beyenhof took advantage of the lap-16 restart to grab second and finish in the runner-up spot, 0.655 of a second behind Sanders. ... Polesitter John Kaanta finished third. ... Blair Nothdurft advanced two positions and finished fifth. ... Lane Brenden gained three spots and finished ninth. ... Luke Sathoff, Jordan Heiman and Benjamin Chukuske scratched from the main event. … Friday's feature, the Tri-State tour's second-ever visit to Murray County Speedway, was slowed by two cautions and lasted 14 minutes, with 13 drivers completing all 25 laps. … The Seafoam Motor Treatment Minnesota Dirt Nationals concludes Saturday with another $1,500-to-win show. ... The top eight finishers from Friday locked into Saturday’s feature and will run a dash to determine the starting lineup. The rest of the entries will run heat races to determine starting positions.

On the move: Mike Benson of Wakefield, Neb., started 16th and finished 11th.

Winner's sponsors: Sanders drives a Wichita Tank Racing MB Customs Race Car sponsored by Paulson Rock Products, Stussy Construction, Texas Locomotive Solutions, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Olsen Custom Farms, S&S Fishing & Rental, Keith Hammett Trucking & Construction and Bergman Tax & Accounting.

Points chase: After Murray County Friday: 1. Trevor Anderson (2,366); 2. Nate Beyenhof (2,299); 3. Shane DeMey (2,285); 4. Jared Jelsma (1,910); 5. Brad Vogt (1,904).

Car count: 18

Polesitter: John Kaanta

Heat race winners: Rodney Sanders, Nate Beyenhof, Tyler Myers

Next series race: October 8, Murray County Speedway (Slayton, MN) $1,500