What won the race: Kyle Hardy of Stephens City, Va., regained the lead on lap six and never looked back, pacing the final 25 circuits at Delaware International Speedway to capture Wednesday's $3,000 Battle of the Bay Speedweek opener. Hardy, the 2021 RUSH Crate Late Model champion, earned his fourth Battle of the Bay feature victory and his first at Delaware International.

Quotable: “It’s been a lot of work to get this car back in victory lane. This is just really cool, this our family-owned operation, it’s just me and my dad and my mom and a lot of people that put a lot of effort into it,” Hardy said. “Man this is a tough crowd. You got Max Blair a World of Outlaws driver, he’s at least top-15, top-10 in the country driver-wise and Trevor Collins he’s a heck of a wheelman, you just knew you gotta pay attention cause those guys are gonna pounce if you mess up.”

Key notes: Hardy led twice for a total of 27 laps to notch his ninth career RUSH Series victory. ... Polesitter Charlie Sandercock led twice as well for three laps before fading to finish sixth. ... Trevor Collins moved into the runner-up position when Hardy made his move for the lead and finished 2.054 seconds back. ... World of Outlaws series regular Max Blair advanced one position and finished third aboard a Briggs Transport Rocket Chassis. ... Garret Paugh gained nine spots and finished fifth. ... Mike Wonderling started 20th and finished ninth. ... Blair and Nick Davis made contact while battling for third on lap one, triggering a multi-car incident when Matt Hill spun in front of the field at the exit of turn two, collecting Tyler Hoy, Amanda Robinson, Matt Latta and Jason Knowles, ending their nights. The incident necessitated a five-minute red flag cleanup. … Matt Glanden slowed from sixth to draw the race's final caution on lap 12 and was unable to continue, finishing 20th. ... Wednesday's feature, the fifth annual Battle of the Bay Speedweek opener, was slowed by two incidents and lasted 21 minutes, with 15 competitors completing 30 laps.

On the move: Demetrios Drellos of Queensbury, N.Y., started 22nd and finished eighth.

Winner's sponsors: Hardy’s Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Ingram Race Engines, Exceptional Wildlife Removal, AGX Auto Glass Experts, Cluster Communications, American Paint Company, Cline Construction, Anthony’s Pizza, DeHaven’s Trailer Sales, Waldorf’s Ford of La Plata, Marshall Burch of MB Sports Collectibles and Sommey Lacey Racing.

Current weather: Clear, 63°F

Car count: 39

Fast qualifier: Trevor Collins

Time: 20.145 seconds

Polesitter: Charlie Sandercock

Dash winner: Charlie Sandercock

Heat race winners: Charlie Sandercock, Max Blair, Trevor Collins , Matt Hill

Consolation race winners: Chad Sines, Demetrios Drellos

Provisional starters: Andy Michael

Next series race: April 13, Georgetown Speedway (Georgetown, DE) $3,000