What won the race: Dylan Thornton of Orcutt, Calif., fired off from outside the front row and never looked back, leading all 30 laps in commanding fashion to win Saturday's $3,000 Malvern Bank East Series stop at Maquoketa Speedway. Thornton beat Chad Simpson to the checkers by 3.023 seconds for the $3,000 payday, his third career Malvern East Series victory and his second of the season.

Quotable: “It was nice we were here (running the Nippy 50) in March, had a few laps with a big motor and stuff like that,” Thornton said. “We kinda knew how we wanted to unload and, honestly, I don’t think we really changed anything all night. This thing was really good from the moment we unloaded out of the trailer.”

Key notes: Thornton notched his sixth overall victory of 2025 and his third on the Malvern Bank-sponsored sister tours. ... Chad Simpson trailed Thornton the entire way, but never closed the gap to less than a second after the opening lap. ... Sixth-starting Dallon Murty pressured Simpson in the closing laps and settled for third. ... Thornton, Murty and Simpson each hold a three-way tie atop the early season points standings. ... Jesse Glenz and C.J. Horn traded fourth place four consecutive laps before Glenz prevailed, relegating Horn to fifth. ... Polesitter Tim Ward faded to 10th. ... The non-stop feature lasted just seven minutes, with 13 starters completing 30 laps and 20 running at the finish. ... Jacob Hobscheidt (lap 20) and David Webster (lap five) were the race's only retirees.

On the move: Dallon Murty of Chelsea, Iowa, started sixth and finished third.

Winner's sponsors: Thornton’s Ricky and Brenda Kay-owned Longhorn Chassis is powered by a HalaBuilt Competition Engine and carries sponsorship from Petersen Insurance, Salty’s BBQ and Catering, Kay Farms Elevator Trucking, Hoker Trucking, Pit Crew BBQ, Malvern Bank, Drake Excavating & Aggregates, Tyler Matzen Trucking, Vander Heiden Hauling & Farming, Wheatland Auto Body, Bilstein Shocks, Hyperco, Wyffels Hybrids, Performance Bodies, Dynamic Drivelines and Capital Race Decals.

Points chase: After Maquoketa: T1. Dylan Thornton (588); T1. Dallon Murty (588); T1. Chad Simpson (588); 4. Jesse Sobbing (470); 5. C.J. Horn (556).

Current weather: Overcast, 61°F

Car count: 29

Fast qualifier: Chad Simpson

Time: 13.618 seconds

Polesitter: Tim Ward

Heat race winners: Dallon Murty, Jesse Sobbing, Justin Kay

Consolation race winners: Jacob Hobscheidt, Charlie McKenna

Provisional starters: Fred Remley, David Webster

Next series race: May 25, Dubuque Speedway (Dubuque, IA) $3,000