What won the race: Dave Hess Jr. of Waterford, Pa., kicked off his defense of the Zimmer's United Late Model Series championship in fine fashion, pocketing a $3,000 check for winning the tour's 30-lap opener Saturday night at Mercer Raceway Park. Hess jumped out to a big lead early and then took advantage of timely cautions to cool his tires. After each caution he was abe to pull away again. He crossed the finish line 1.124 seconds ahead of Saxonburg, Pa.'s Alex Ferree.

Quotable: "We went soft on tires and the long runs were really difficult," said Hess. "We were slowing down, and they were coming, and that caution really helped. … we got that caution there, and we were able to cool the tires down a little bit and I was able to hold them off."

Key notes: Hess registered his seventh career ULMS victory, moving him into a tie for seventh on the tour's all-time win list. ... Brent Rhebergen was the race's first leader before he was overtaken by Hess. Rhebergen went on to finish fourth. ... Mike Pegher Jr.'s fast time in qualifying was a new track record. He was involved in an early feature skirmish that sent him to the rear. ... Coming off a $5,000 triumph the previous night at Stateline Speedway in Busti, N.Y., Max Blair won a heat and redrew the pole for the feature, but a blown engine forced him to load up and scratch from further action. ... Russell King challenged Hess early but his bid ended on lap 23 when tangled with the lapped car of Kyle Knapp in turn four. King’s car was towed from turn one, where it came to a halt, and he was disqualified for his display of anger toward Knapp during the caution period.

Winner's sponsors: Hess’s Suppa Racing Rayburn Race Car is sponsored by Patterson Overhead Door, Auto Value Car-Go Auto Part, Hess Garage and Genesis Racing Shocks.

Points chase: Hess assumed the tour's early points lead as he chases a second consecutive title.

Car count: 21

Fast qualifier: Mike Pegher Jr.

Time: 16.774 seconds

Heat race winners: Russ King, Max Blair, Mike Pegher Jr.

Next series race: June 1, Tyler County Speedway (Middlebourne, WV) $3,000