What won the race: Polesitter Jimmy Thomas of Phenix City, Ala., led the entire 40-lap distance, holding off a late-race challenge from seventh-starting Travis Pennington of Stapleton, Ga., to score a $2,000 Durrence Layne Winter Shootout victory at Cochran Motor Speedway.

Quotable: “We did what you want to do and that’s set fast time, lead all of the laps and win the race. But it wasn’t easy tonight,” winner Jimmy Thomas said. “On that last restart, I saw Travis up on the outside, and I knew I had better not make a mistake. The track got better as the race went on, and I think tomorrow night we’ll be able to race all over this thing.”

Key notes: Thomas was also the winner of last season’s Durrence Layne Winter Shootout opener at Cochran. … Jake Knowles challenged Thomas in early lapped traffic. … A yellow flag flew on lap 19 when Drew Kennedy cut a right-rear tire. … Knowles spun to draw a caution on lap 38. … Another yellow flag waved on the ensuing restart when Shane Riner slowed off the pace, setting up a green-white-checkered finish. … Winter Shootout action wraps up on Saturday at Cochran with the $3,000-to-win finale.

On the move: Pearson Lee Williams of Dublin, Ga., started 16th and finish fourth.

Winner's sponsors: Thomas drives a Scorpion Race Car sponsored by Five Star Hyundai and Pepsi.

Points chase: After four events, Jimmy Elliott of Cleveland, Tenn., had 310 points over Kyle Bronson (292) in the DLWS standings.

Car count: 21

Fast qualifier: Jimmy Thomas

Time: 14.417 seconds

Polesitter: Jimmy Thomas