Key notes: The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series kicks off a Buckeye State doubleheader with Friday’s $25,000-to-win Independence 50 at Atomic Speedway. … Points leader Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., held off Josh Rice to win March’s $15,000 Buckeye Spring 50 in the first series visit. Thornton leads all drivers with nine wins thus far, though he hasn’t visited victory lane since May 17 at Eagle (Neb.) Raceway. … Rice, of Crittenden, Ky., won May’s $5,000 Iron-Man Series stop at Atomic after earning a $3,000 unsanctioned victory there last spring. … Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., enters fresh off his first career Firecracker 100 victory at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., worth $50,000. … R.J. Conley of Wheelersburg, Ohio, earned a $3,000 unsanctioned payday there last fall. … Sport mods are on the undercard. … Pits open at 2 p.m. and grandstands open at 4, with on-track action starting at 6. … Watch live on FloRacing.

Who to watch: Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., eyes the Atomic sweep after winning March’s Buckeye Spring 50.

Points chase: Before Atomic: 1. Ricky Thornton Jr. (4,475); 2. Jonathan Davenport (4,470); 3. Devin Moran (4,265); 4. Hudson O’Neal (4,075); 5. Garrett Alberson (3,935); 6. Brandon Overton (3,820); 7. Brandon Sheppard (3,800); 8. Daulton Wilson (3,520); 9. Carson Ferguson (3,435); 10. Donald McIntosh (3,225).

Expected entrants: Among drivers expected to join the top 10 in series standings: Josh Rice, Mike Marlar, Tyler Carpenter, R.J. Conley, Seth Daniels, Daniel Hilsabeck, Rod Conley, Freddie Carpenter, Spencer Hughes, Dan Ebert, Clay Harris, Cory Lawler, Tyler Wyant and more.

Current weather: Few Clouds, 84°F

Next series race: July 5, Muskingum County Speedway (Zanesville, OH) $25,000