What won the race: Bobby Hogge IV of Salinas, Calif., earned $2,000 for an opening night victory at the 29th annual Budweiser Nationals, taking the checkers ahead of hometown driver Brad Pounds.

Key notes: The 29th annual Budweiser Nationals is the track's biggest Late Model weekend of the season. ... Friday marked the first of two nights of action. ... Randy Korte of Highland, Ill., who is making his California racing debut in the No. 5 Rocket Chassis owned by Jeff Manka of Phoenix, Ariz., scratched after breaking a fan blade and water pump in his heat race. ... Nick Bartels also scratched from the feature. ... The track expected as many of 200 race cars overall to compete in more than 600 laps of racing. ... Earl Pearson Jr., the four-time Lucas Oil Series champion who is leaving Bobby Labonte Racing at the conclusion of 2014 to rejoin Dunn-Benson Motorsports, competed in the track's modified action.

Winner's sponsors: Hogge's No. 2 is sponsored by Victory Circle Chassis & Parts Inc., Steinwand and Integra Shocks.

Points chase: Bakersfield doesn't maintain Late Model points for occasional events.

Car count: 28

Consolation race winners: Tommy Malcolm, Andy Obertello