What won the race: Second-starting Ashton Winger of Hampton, Ga., fended off a late-race surge from Jake Little to lead all 30 laps Friday night at Tri-City Speedway, securing his first career MARS Championship Series victory. Winger beat Little to the line by nearly two seconds for the $5,000 payday, his first victory of the season and his first triumph aboard a team-developed Fusion Race Car.

Quotable: “It's been so long since I won, I'm a little out of practice. This is the first win with our cars we’ve been building, the Fusion Race Cars," Winger said, thanking team owner Jeff Mathews, his father, crew and sponsors. "I'm just really, really lucky to get to do what I love to do and come to awesome racetracks like this in front of all these awesome people.”

Key notes: Sixth-starting Jake Little grabbed second from Jason Feger on the 10th lap and trailed Winger the rest of the way. Little, who registered his best career series result, pulled within a few car lengths of Winger in the closing laps before fading back at the checkers. ... MARS points leader Tony Jackson Jr. quickly dispatched of Feger on the following lap and finished third. ... The pole-starting Feger opted to run the bottom line for a majority of the race and settled for seventh. ... Justin Duty recorded his third fourth-place finish in the last four weeks. ... Mike Harrison, who recently returned to the seat after surgery, improved four positions and placed ninth. ... Myles Moos, driving the No. 26m Brent McKinnon-owned Rocket, slowed to trigger the race's second and final caution on the 21st lap. ... Mike McKinney drew the first caution after slowing on lap 14. ... Shannon Babb and Ryan Unzicker retired early. ... MARS officials awarded 20 points to all entries after Tri-City's transponder loop failed to operate and the lineup was set by passing points; the decision was voted upon in the drivers' meeting.

On the move: Trevor Gundaker of St. Charles, Mo., started 12th and finished sixth.

Winner's sponsors: Winger’s Jeff Mathews Motorsports Fusion Race Car is powered by an Andy Durham Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from RV Select Inc., CURS, Super K Express, Keyser Manufacturing, Integra Shocks, Angry Elephant Tattoo and Piercing, FK Rod Ends, A-Plus Collision Center, Hoosier Tire, Simpson Race Products, Collins Signs, DirtCarLift.com, VP Race Fuels, CSR Aluminum Fabrication, Boswell Oil and WrapTech.

Points chase: After Tri-City: 1. Tony Jackson Jr. (419); 2. Jason Feger (417); 3. Ryan Unzicker (406); 4. Shannon Babb (385); 5. Bobby Pierce (370).

Current weather: Scattered Clouds, 66°F

Car count: 31

Polesitter: Jason Feger

Heat race winners: Jason Feger, Justin Duty, Tony Jackson Jr., Guy Taylor

Consolation race winners: Mark Voigt

Provisional starters: Ryan Unzicker, Bob Gardner

Next series race: May 24, Fairbury Speedway (Fairbury, IL) $5,000