What won the race: Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa, led all 30 laps unchallenged en route to scoring a repeat victory in Friday's opener of the 11th annual Ron Jenkins Memorial at Lucas Oil Speedway. Simpson beat Gordy Gundaker to the checkers by 4.502 seconds for his first victory of the season and first-career with the Comp Cams Super Dirt Series.

Quotable: "I knew that bottom would be good, so I knew if I got a good start on Gordy (Gundaker) and he didn't beat me into (turn) one that I could kind of roll that bottom," Simpson said. "The part I was worried about was when I ran up on lapped traffic, if I could move out and get by those guys, otherwise that would bring Gordy right back to me."

Key notes: Simpson won his second straight Jenkins Memorial opener ($7,000 last Aug. 30) and third-career Wheatland triumph ($10,000 last Oct. 25); both 2024 victories were sanctioned on the now-defunct Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association. ... Simpson secured $7,500 on the night after a $2,000 bump and $500 fast qualifier bonus courtesy of Mary Jenkins Holt in honor of the late Ron Jenkins. ... Gordy Gundaker said "Chris was the class of the field all night," after trailing Simpson the entire way. ... Sixth-starting R.C. Whitwell, making his third feature start after a near five year hiatus, went fifth-to-third on a lap-seven restart and rounded out the podium. ... Points leader Billy Moyer passed Jon Kirby for fourth on lap 26, relegating Kirby to fifth. ... Bob Gardner, recently suspended from DIRTcar competition, started 17th and finished 12th in a rare Comp Cams start (the circuit was previously DIRTcar-connected, but is no longer). ... The two-day event honors Jenkins, the original founder of Wheatland Raceway which was transformed into Lucas Oil Speedway 18 years ago. ... The feature lasted 11 minutes, with 13 starters completing 30 laps. ... The doubleheader concludes with Saturday's $12,000-to-win finale.

On the move: Justin Wells of Aurora, Mo., started 11th and finished sixth.

Winner's sponsors: Simpson’s Longhorn Chassis is powered by an Andy Durham Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Larry Davidson Trucking, Hot Rod Septic Treatment, Hoker Trucking, C&J Trucking, Robert Mitchell at RLM Enterprises, Factory CS Lifestyle Brand, Swift Springs, Speedwerx Performance Exhaust and Capital Race Decals.

Points chase: After Wheatland Friday: 1. Billy Moyer (2,580); 2. Morgan Bagley (2,365); 3. B.J. Robinson (2,205); 4. Eli Ross (2,105); 5. Kyle Beard (2,050).

Current weather: Clear, 73°F

Car count: 45

Fast qualifier: Chris Simpson

Time: 14.802 seconds

Polesitter: Chris Simpson

Heat race winners: Chris Simpson, Jon Kirby, Gordy Gundaker, Steve Stultz

Consolation race winners: Bob Gardner, Brandon Ball

Provisional starters: Morgan Bagley, B.J. Robinson, Eli Ross, Kyle Beard

Next series race: August 30, Lucas Oil Speedway (Wheatland, MO) $12,000