What won the race: Inheriting the point when early race leader Shane Edginton retired on lap six, fifth-starting Tyler Peterson of Hickson, N.D., paced the remaining circuits to win Saturday's 35-lap third round of the Ernie Mincy Early Thaw at Central Arizona Raceway. After folding his nose under while leading on Thursday and pulling off, Peterson earned $3,000 for his first career Early Thaw win and his first victory of the season.

Quotable: “I’ve been talking with my boy Kurt (Rogers) back at Rocket (Chassis),” Peterson said. “Nothing is really different from last year. It’s kinda the exact same thing we’ve been running and made one little change tonight — Kurt knows what it is — and it made all the difference.”

Key notes: The pole-starting Edginton, of East Saint Paul, Manitoba, led the first six laps before pulling off. ... After winning Thursday and Friday's opening rounds, 10th-starting Billy Moyer moved into second on the lap-seven restart and trailed Peterson the rest of the way, finishing 1.116 seconds back aboard a Don Shaw-owned machine. ... Ricky Weiss completed the podium after taking the third spot on a lap-11 restart. ... Michael Leach took fifth on lap 30 and rounded out the top-five finishers. ... Dustin Strand overcame a flat left-rear that drew the race's opening caution on lap five, rebounding to finish sixth. ... Dustin Bluhm improved five positions and finished ninth. ... The third yellow came out on lap 10 when 11th-running Thomas Hunziker slowed on the frontstretch. ... The fourth and final caution was displayed on a lap-11 restart attempt when Rob Mayea, Beau Nave and Brandon Corbett tangled at the exit of turn two; Corbett continued and finished 20th while Mayea and Nave retired. ... Saturday's feature lasted 22 minutes, with 15 competitors completing 35 laps and 21 running at the finish.

On the move: Clay Stuckey of Shreveport, La., started 16th and finished fourth; Michael Leach of Sun River, Mont., started 17th and finished fifth.

Winner's sponsors: Peterson’s Rocket Chassis is powered by a Corky Thomas Race Engine and carries sponsorship from Enclave, Quick-Lift by TP Fabricating, Northwest Auto Body, Fastenal, AllFab Railings & Metalworks, Powdercoat Specialists and Slider Shots Media.

Points chase: After Saturday: 1. Billy Moyer (331); 2. Ricky Weiss (317); 3. Clay Stuckey (288); 4. Dustin Bluhm (278); 5. Dustin Strand (275).

Current weather: Clear, 57°F

Car count: 31

Polesitter: Shane Edginton

Heat race winners: Eston Whisler, Shane Edginton, Josh Zimpel, Ryan Corbett

Consolation race winners: Michael Leach, Shane Sabraski

Provisional starters: Beau Nave, Jason Strand, Scott Ward

Next series race: January 25, Central Arizona Raceway (Casa Grande, Ariz.) $2,000