What won the race: Surviving adverse conditions on a rain-soaked surface, third-starting Mark Whitener of Middleburg, Fla., overtook fast qualifier Michael Lake on the 14th lap and kept outside front-row starter Jacob Hawkins in check the rest of the way for a 40-lap victory in the first of four straight Ocala races in Crate Late Model action. A deepening rut in turn four made racing difficult late in the race, but Whitener won by 1.415 seconds.

Quotable: “After I bounced through the hole in turn four a couple of times, I tried to go around it on the high side,” Whitener said. “When I did that, the car didn’t feel as fast as it did when I was driving through the hole. After the car landed coming out of the hole, the car felt like it got better forward bite. We’ll have to look at the tape and see which way was faster.”

Key notes: Nine drivers finished on the lead lap and 15 of 24 were running at the finish. ... Polesitter Michael Lake, 13, the youngest driver to set fast time in the tour's 11-year history, led 13 laps but retired on lap 17. ... Whitener and other drivers will have to check on their cars to be sure they're ready for the next three nights after the rugged conditions. “I know (track co-owner) Bubba (Clem), his crew, and this racetrack pretty well. I believe we will have a much better race track tomorrow night and the rest of the week.”

On the move: Johnny Stokes charged from the 15th to finish seventh; Ryan Crane rallied from 22nd to ninth.

Winner's sponsors: Whitener's Big Frog Motorsports Barry Wright Race Car is sponsored by Dave's Towing, B&B Produce, Miller Lite and Keyser Mfg.

Points chase: Whitener's victory in the opener puts him in the NeSmith points lead.

Car count: 36

Fast qualifier: Michael Lake

Time: 15.755 seconds

Polesitter: Michael Lake

Consolation race winners: Johnny Stokes, Rick Singleton

Provisional starters: Marcus Minga, Brent Lewis

Next series race: January 29, Bubba Raceway Park (Ocala, FL) $2,500