What won the race: Inheriting the point when race-long leader Daniel Hilsabeck spun on lap 17, fifth-starting Dylan Thornton of Orcutt, Calif., led the rest of Friday's 25-lap Blackberry Brandy Brawl at Stuart International Speedway. The Late Model rookie earned $3,000 as he tallied his first career Malvern Bank East victory in his series debut.

Quotable: “We weren’t sure what to expect coming into this deal,” Thornton said. “(I) didn’t really qualify that good and (crewman) Tyson (Gheer) went to work on this thing in the pits all night long and gave us a really good race car. It was kinda hard to get through there. Daniel (Hilsabeck) had some trouble there, but sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good."

Key notes: Thornton's third overall triumph of the season — all coming in the last three weeks — made him the first Malvern Bank Series winner to hail from California native. ... The pole-starting Hilsabeck, of Earlham, Iowa, led the opening 16 laps before hopping the turn-three cushion, spinning and nosing into Thornton's right-side door as he sped by to take the lead. Hilsabeck was unable to continue and credited with 20th. ... Seventh-starting Blair Nothdurft powered by Tad Pospisil in the late going and finished second, 3.941 seconds back, as Pospisil settled for third. ... Fast qualifier Jason Hahne improved four positions to finish fourth. ... Chad Holladay and Andy Eckrich each gained eight spots, finishing fifth and sixth. ... The race's first incident was its biggest and necessitated a 10-minute red flag for cleanup after Corey Zeitner, Dave Eckrich and Brian Kosiski tangled on the second lap, ending each of their nights. ... Andrew Kosiski and J.C. Wyman spun while battling for third on lap 15 with Kosiski pulling off; Wyman continued and placed 15th. ... Friday's season opener was slowed by three cautions and lasted 17 minutes, with 19 drivers completing 25 laps.

On the move: Dylan Sillman of Alvo, Neb., started 18th and finished eighth.

Winner's sponsors: Thornton’s Brenda and Ricky Kay-owned Warrior Race Car is powered by a HalaBuilt Competition Engine and carries sponsorship from Salty’s BBQ and Catering, Kay Farms Elevator Trucking, Petersen Insurance, Pit Crew BBQ, Tyler Matzen Trucking, Vander Heiden Hauling & Farming, Hoker Trucking, Wheatland Auto Body, Wyffels Hybrids, Hyperco, Dynamic Drivelines and Capital Race Decals.

Points chase: After Stuart: 1. Dylan Thornton (200); 2. Blair Nothdurft (196); 3. Tad Pospisil (194); 4. Jason Hahne (192); 5. Chad Holladay (190).

Current weather: Clear, 61°F

Car count: 28

Fast qualifier: Jason Hahne

Time: 13.008 seconds

Polesitter: Daniel Hilsabeck

Heat race winners: Chad Holladay, Blair Nothdurft, Dylan Thornton, Chris Spieker

Consolation race winners: Dave Eckrich

Provisional starters: Curt Schroeder, Darrel DeFrance, Curtis Glover, Zach Less

Next series race: May 11, Independence Motor Speedway (Independence, IA) $3,000