What won the race: Fourth-starting Hudson O'Neal of Martinsville, Ind., went unchallenged to register a flag-to-flag victory in Friday's second annual Hayden Ross Memorial in his debut at Thunderbird Speedway. O'Neal's $6,600 payday for capturing the 20-lap feature marked his first career Apex Healthcare Sooner Series victory and his third overall triumph of June, his first aboard a self-owned Longhorn Chassis.

Quotable: “I had a little but of a scare there with some electrical issues, but it turned out to be OK,” O’Neal said. “I jumped the cushion one time in (turns) one and two and got a little bit tight. I got my right-rear tire over it and something came up and hit the starter wire and knocked it off. With the electrical stuff going on it made it a little bit hairy, but we were able to hang on.”

Key notes: Eli Ross finished a distant runner-up, 3.9 seconds back at the line. Ross of Muskogee, Okla., piloted a Rocket Chassis owned by his parents, Brady and Liz Ross. Eli is the younger brother of Hayden Ross, who tragically died in October 2022 at the age of 20 and was posthumously crowned the 2022 Sooner Series champion. ... Eighth-starting B.J. Robinson grabbed third on a lap-five restart and rounded out the podium finishers. ... Gary Lowe gained 13 positions and placed eighth. ... Second-starting Joe Gorby and six-time series winner Dusty Leonard were among nine cars involved in a lap-four melee that necessitated a nearly 20-minute red flag for cleanup. ... Troy Bynum and Logan Martin completed one additional lap before calling it a night. ... The 20-lapper was slowed by the one lengthy red flag and lasted 30 minutes in total, with five drivers completing the distance and seven running at the checkers. ... Jordan Barbee and Kent Taylor scratched from the main event lineup.

On the move: Kip Hughes of Enid, Okla., started 19th and finished fourth.

Winner's sponsors: O'Neal's self-owned Longhorn Chassis carries sponsorship from Wheeler Metals, Professional Concrete, Merrill Bonding, O'Neal's Salvage & Recycling, Rumley Engineering, Mark Martin Automotive, Indiana USSSA Fastpitch, WR1 Sim Chassis, Bob & Tammy Burton, Lucas Oil, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bilstein Shocks and Midwest Sheet Metal.

Points chase: After Thunderbird: 1. Dalon Helm (2,960); 2. Zach Nickell (2,765); 3. Dakota Dellinger (2,760); 4. Eli Ross (2,490); 5. Troy Bynum (2,025).

Current weather: Clear, 88°F

Car count: 24

Polesitter: Eli Ross

Heat race winners: Dusty Leonard, Hudson O'Neal, Eli Ross

Next series race: June 29, Salina Highbanks Speedway (Salina, OK) $1,000