What won the race: Holding off a furious charge from 17th-starting Rich Bell, polesitter Brandon Thirlby of Traverse City, Mich., claimed his fifth Sunoco American Late Model Series victory Friday at Winston Speedway. He took the checkers 2.116 seconds ahead of Bell in a race where just four cars were running at the finish in rugged conditions.

Key notes: Thirlby won his third straight visit to Winston. ... Early race leader Greg Gokey of Buckley, Mich, finished sixth. … Gokey, Thirlby, and Travis Stemler took part in a heated battle in the middle stages of the 40-lapper but Thirlby pulled way late. … The Sunoco American Late Model Series returned to Winston Speedway for the first time in six years for Friday’s $5,000-to-win event that serves as the first leg of the tour’s weekend doubleheader between Winston’s 3/8-mile and Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio.

On the move: Rich Bell of Sheffield, Ill., started 17th and finished second.

Winner's sponsors: Thirlby’s Rocket Chassis has a Pro Power Racing Engine and sponsorship from Thirlby Automotive, Corrigan Race Fuels, FK Rod Ends, Dynamic Drivelines and KBC Graphix.

Points chase: Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., led series standings entering the event; he wasn’t in competition.

Current weather: Scattered Clouds, 66°F

Car count: 27

Fast qualifier: Brandon Thirlby

Time: 13.677 seconds

Polesitter: Brandon Thirlby

Heat race winners: Andrew Terrill, Greg Gokey, Brandon Thirlby

Consolation race winners: Rich Neiser

Next series race: June 19, Oakshade Raceway (Wauseon, OH) $5,000