What won the race: Pole-starting Rusty Schlenk of McClure, Ohio, took control from Steve Peeden on the 14th lap and led the rest of the distance to capture Saturday's 40-lap Ultimate Heart of America Series season opener at Montpelier Speedway. Schlenk raced to his first career Ultimate HofA victory by 3.372 seconds over Todd Brennan, collecting the $5,000 payday.

Quotable: “My plan was to jump out to the lead and just kinda cruise off into the sunset, not have to beat on the car,” Schlenk said. “I didn’t get a good start, it was kinda slimy on the bottom and (Steve) Peeden took off, he had a really good car. I just kinda fell in line and was trying to be patient behind him ... I hit that hole getting into (turn) three, pushed off the top of the racetrack. I had to rally from fourth, we made it back up there, I had a really good car. Once I finally got to the lead, then I could take it easy a little bit.”

Key notes: Rusty Schlenk notched his third overall victory of the season, adding to his March 14 and March 29 wins at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park. ... Schlenk secured his second major event victory at Montpelier, adding to his May 5, 2018 triumph, worth $4,000 on the American Ethanol Tour. ... Third-starting Todd Brennan took second on lap 22 and trailed Schlenk the final 19 laps. ... Chad Finley finished third after taking the spot from Steve Peeden on lap 35. ... The second-starting Peeden, of Martinsville, Ind., led the opening 13 laps before settling for fourth. ... Kenneth Howell retired from fifth on lap 22. ... The inaugural series visit was slowed by two cautions and lasted 30 minutes, with 11 starters completing 40 laps. ... Carter Schlenk, the winner's son, failed to finish the second heat and scratched from the main event lineup.

On the move: Dusty Moore of Swanton, Ohio, started 16th and finished seventh.

Winner's sponsors: Schlenk’s Domination Race Car is powered by a Mullins Engine and sponsored by Buckeye Concrete Coatings, Tom Finch Automotive, Dominator Race Products, Integra Shocks, Terry Henricks Auto Group, Velocita USA, Landrum Performance Springs, VP Racing Fuel and Lubricants, Vahlco Racing Wheels, Wilwood and CP-Carrillo, ML Performance Allstar Performance, Wilwood Disc Brakes and KBC Graphix.

Points chase: After Montpelier: 1. Rusty Schlenk (35); 2. Todd Brennan (34); 3. Chad Finley (33); 4. Steve Peeden (32); 5. Blake Creech (31).

Current weather: Clear, 55°F

Car count: 20

Fast qualifier: Rusty Schlenk

Time: 14.603 seconds

Polesitter: Rusty Schlenk

Heat race winners: Rusty Schlenk, Steve Peeden, Todd Brennan

Next series race: April 19, 191 Speedway (Campton, KY) $5,000