What won the race: Inheriting the lead on the fifth lap, Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., led the rest of Friday's 50-lapper at Atomic Speedway to earn $25,000 and his first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory of the season. The Rocket Chassis house car driver won by 2.457 seconds over a charging Josh Rice, who started 17th. Five drivers retired while holding top-five spots, including series points leader Ricky Thornton Jr. midrace with radiator issues.

Quotable: "I knew we had a pretty good shot tonight, but this car was, from the drop of the green in hot laps tonight, I knew this car was gonna be really good," Sheppard said. "I'm super thankful for (the Rocket Chassis house car crew) for just working their tails off (and) this gets us excited for the rest of the year."

Key notes: Brandon Sheppard's previous Lucas Oil Series win came Feb. 8, 2024, at the now-closed East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla. ... He previously won at Atomic on the WoO circuit in 2022. ... Several top contenders retired early, including Devin Moran who was running second when he retired with five laps remaining. ... Outside front-row starter Carson Ferguson led the first four laps but headed pitside during the first caution period and retired with engine issues. ... Third-running Brandon Overton slowed on the 10th lap and other early retirees were second-running Ricky Thornton Jr. (pulled to the infield after 23 laps) and fifth-running Garrett Alberson (who started 22nd). ... Jonathan Davenport's third-place finish lifts him to the series points lead after Thornton's lap-23 radiator woes. ... Besides a caution for Overton, four other cautions slowed the action, the first for Hudson O'Neal's turn-four spin; O'Neal drew another caution on the 39th lap. ... On the eighth lap, flames and plumes of smoke signaled the demise of fifth-running Tyler Carpenter's engine. ... On the 30th lap, Freddie Carpenter went over the backstretch banking. ... Daniel Hilsabeck got upside down in hot laps but was uninjured and finished eighth in the feature. ... The feature started just before 10 p.m. and ended at 10:20 p.m. ... The 50-lapper lasted 31 minutes, with 10 starters completing the distance and 11 running at the checkers.

On the move: Runner-up Josh Rice of Crittenden, Ky., started 17th.

Winner's sponsors: Sheppard's Rocket Chassis has a Durham Racing Engine and sponsorship from Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Collins Brothers Towing of St. Cloud, Five Star RaceCar Bodies, Rocket Chassis, Ace Metal Works, Gunter’s Honey, Hoosier Racing Tire, Fox Shocks, Keyser Manufacturing, Petroff Towing, Performance Grading, Stiles Marine & Maintenance, Sunoco Race Fuels and Rocket Preowned Motors.

Points chase: After Atomic: 1. Jonathan Davenport (4,690); 2. Ricky Thornton Jr. (4,635); 3. Devin Moran (4,435); 4. Hudson O’Neal (4,275); 5. Garrett Alberson (4,080); 6. Brandon Sheppard (4,050); 7. Brandon Overton (3,955); 8. Daulton Wilson (3,730); 9. Carson Ferguson (3,560); 10. Donald McIntosh (3,430).

Current weather: Clear, 79°F

Car count: 26

Fast qualifier: Ricky Thornton Jr.

Time: 13.345 seconds

Polesitter: Ricky Thornton Jr.

Heat race winners: Ricky Thornton Jr., Carson Ferguson, Brandon Sheppard

Consolation race winners: Freddie Carpenter

Provisional starters: Shane Greco, Adam Stricker

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