What won the race: Pulling ahead on the opening lap, polesitter Kyle Bronson of Brandon, Fla., led all 40 laps to win Thursday’s Durrence Layne Winter Shootout Series Bubba Army Winternationals opener at Bubba Raceway Park. Bronson tiptoed through lapped traffic over the final few circuits before winning by 1.266 seconds ahead of Walker Arthur. Bronson earned $2,000 in the first of three weekend races on the winter tour.

Quotable: “This is the first time we’ve run this Rocket Chassis, and it just shows what a good car can do with a good crew working on it," said winner Kyle Bronson. "I think the car has more in it after we work on it some more.”

Key notes: Eleven drivers completed 40 laps. … Kyle Bronson has now won three consecutive Durrence Layne Winter Shootout Series features at Bubba Raceway Park going back to last year’s Bubba Army Winternationals. … Walker Arthur of Forest, Va., moved around fellow Virginian Logan Roberson on a lap-26 restart to grab second. … Reddick, Fla.'s Tyler Clem, driving the Big Frog Motorsports No. 58, rallied from ninth to finish fourth. ... Outside front row starter Jensen Ford of Piney Flats, Tenn., fell back early and retired after completing just 10 laps. ... Jody Knowles and Scott Gray didn't start the main event. ... Crate Late Model action continues with a $2,000-to-win race Friday and $10,000-to-win race Saturday.

On the move: Jimmy Elliott of Cleveland, Tenn., started 13th and finished sixth.

Winner's sponsors: Bronson’s Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Brandon Ford, Brandon Collision, All Florida Real Estate Group, Racecar Engineering and Valvoline.

Points chase: Reigning Winter Shootout champion Jimmy Elliott entered the weekend as the tour points leader.

Current weather: Clear, 64°F

Car count: 26

Fast qualifier: Kyle Bronson

Time: 14.991 seconds

Polesitter: Kyle Bronson

Consolation race winners: Tyler Clem, Wil Herrington