What won the race: Brody Troftgruben of Grand Forks, N.D., took the lead on lap four and never looked back, pacing the final 22 circuits at Devils Lake Speedway to win Saturday's $1,250 Northern LateModel Racing Association season opener. Troftgruben notched his fourth career NLRA victory.

Quotable: “Yeah you know those (lapped) guys were bunched up there for a while and I knew it was just a matter of time, the clock was ticking,” Troftgruben said. “I was trying to be passive aggressive and when I saw (Strand’s) nose, I needed to go then. Luckily I was able to get through and then that yellow came out. Luckily we nailed the restart and had a nice couple of laps there.”

Key notes: Dustin Strand moved into second on lap seven and challenged for the lead on lap 21 before settling for the runner-up position, 0.762 of a second back. ... Two-time reigning NLRA champion and two-time feature winner at Devils Lake, Mike Greseth advanced three positions and finished third. ... Bryce Sward also gained three spots, finishing fifth. ... Steve Anderson led the first three laps from the pole before retiring on lap 16, finishing 18th. ... Brad Seng, a five-time series winner at the Crary, N.D., oval, retired after four laps in 19th. ... Saturday's feature, the series and track season opener, was slowed by one incident and lasted 10 minutes, with 10 drivers completing 25 laps.

On the move: Tyler Peterson of Hickson, N.D., started 15th and finished fourth.

Winner's sponsors: Troftgruben’s Millenium SRT Chassis is sponsored by Gateway Auto Tech Import Repair Specialists, Kaz brothers Construction, Applegren Construction, K&E Construction, Hausmann Motorsports LPG, North Valley Vending Company, Shane’s Landscaping, Anderson Steel Erection & Crane Service, Inc and Byron Farms.

Points chase: After Devils Lake: 1. Brody Troftgruben (224); 2. Dustin Strand (214); 3. Mike Greseth (206); 4. Tyler Peterson (198); 5. Bryce Sward (192).

Current weather: Clear, 66°F

Car count: 19

Polesitter: Steve Anderson

Heat race winners: Dustin Strand, Steve Anderson, Cole Schill

Next series race: May 27, Greenbush Race Park (Greenbush, MN) $1,250