What won the race: Leading all 40 laps, new track record-holder Mark Whitener of Middleburg, Fla., cruised to a $10,000 Southern Thunder Super Dirt Series victory at Penton Raceway. The pole-starting Whitener took the checkers 1.827 seconds ahead of fellow Floridian Kyle Bronson, who started fourth.

Quotable: "I knew we had a really good race car (during hot laps), so I just tuned on it a little bit," Whitener said. "The Hell Tour helped me — it broke me, but it helped me — and like I say, I'd just like to thank everybody on this car."

Key notes: Whitener's victory was his first on the first-year Southern Thunder circuit and first for him since his July 10 DIRTcar Summer Nationals victory at Butler Motor Speedway in Quincy, Mich. ... Runner-up Kyle Bronson of Brandon, Fla., returned to action after an eye issue forced him to skip a handful of scheduled starts. He debuted a new Longhorn Chassis with a black front end added to his typically all-orange design. ... The 40-lapper's lone caution appeared Oliver Gentry went around for a lap-20-yellow after contact from third-running Ashton Winger exiting turn two. ... Whitener's 13.092-second lap lowered the previous track record of Ryan Crane set in April (13.165). ... Southern Thunder competitors conclude the weekend with twin 25-lap, $2,525-to-win features at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala. ... Trenton Mathis won the 604 Crate feature at Penton.

On the move: Wil Herrington of Hawkinsville, Ga., started sixth and finished fourth.

Winner's sponsors: Whitener's Longhorn Chassis has a Pro Power Racing Engine and is sponsored by Southeast Ship Repair, Whitener's Tractor Service, Ocala Restaurant Supply, Jett Concrete Works, DT Welding, Topnotch Signs and Apparel, Multi-Fire, Angry Elephant, Hoosier Tire by Bryant and Boswell Oil.

Points chase: Through July 4: 1. Zack Mitchell (340); 2. Beckham Malone (294); 3. Dalton Cook (266); 4. Michael Brown (264); 5. Trey Mills (240).

Current weather: Partly Cloudy, 74°F

Car count: 16

Fast qualifier: Mark Whitener

Time: 13.092 seconds

Polesitter: Mark Whitener

Next series race: July 26, Talladega Short Track (Eastaboga, AL) $2,525