What won the race: Fending off a charging Kyle Bronson after a lap-16 restart, second-starting Ryan Gustin of Marshalltown, Iowa, scored a flag-to-flag victory in Friday’s 25-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series Battle at the Border prelim at Sharon Speedway. He took his second WoO victory this season and the fourth of his career by 1.291 seconds over Bronson.

Quotable: “This car has been really good,” Gustin said. “T.C. (crew chief Taylon Center), he’s got this thing on rails. Whenever he puts this setup on there it just rolls right around there. It’s a dream to drive, but you can also get cowboy-up on the fence if you need to.”

Key notes: Two of Gustin’s four career WoO victories have come at Sharon; he registered his first-ever triumph on the tour at the 3/8-mile oval last year when he won the $20,000 Battle at the Border top prize. … After ceding second to Brandon Sheppard on lap seven and then regaining the spot on lap 13, Bronson closed right up on Gustin with six laps remaining. But then Gustin moved up to take Bronson’s top groove and pulled away over the final circuits. … Sheppard settled for a third-place finish. … Fourth-place finisher Mike Marlar was the only non-WoO regular in the top 10 for the second straight night. … Thursday winner Chris Madden finished fifth after being overtaken by Marlar on lap 17. … Caution flags flew on lap six when Stormy Scott slowed with a flat tire and lap 16 when Alex Ferree stopped in turn four with terminal mechanical trouble. … Points earned by drivers in the two preliminary programs will be used to determine the starting lineups for Saturday’s finale, which is headlined by a 60-lap, $25,000-to-win feature.

On the move: Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., started 22nd and finished 13th.

Winner's sponsors: Gustin’s Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Tri-Star Engines and Transmissions, Mahle, Fast Shafts, FK Rod Ends, ML Performance, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Performance Bodies & Parts, Swift Springs, VP Racing Fuels, Penske Racing Shocks, Mel Hambelton Ford, Ramirez Motorsports and NightOwl Design.

Points chase: After Sharon Friday: 1. Chris Madden (1,774); 2. Ryan Gustin (1,744); 3. Kyle Bronson (1,736); 4. Nick Hoffman (1,722); 5. Brandon Sheppard (1,718); 6. Bobby Pierce (1,716); 7. Brian Shirley (1,690); 8. Tanner English (1,668); 9. Gordy Gundaker (1,604); 10. Dennis Erb Jr. (1,592); 11. Shane Clanton (1,586); 12. Brent Larson (1,554).

Current weather: Clear, 64°F

Car count: 39

Fast qualifier: Dennis Erb Jr.

Time: 16.383 seconds

Polesitter: Kyle Bronson

Heat race winners: Kyle Bronson, Ryan Gustin, Drake Troutman, Johnny Scott

Consolation race winners: Gregg Satterlee, Alex Ferree

Provisional starters: Gordy Gundaker, Todd Cooney, Dustin Walker

Next series race: May 27, Sharon Speedway (Hartford, OH) $25,000