What won the race: Rallying from his 12th starting spot, Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., drove the Jeff Manka-owned No. 5 for a victory on the opening night of the West Coast Late Model Shootout's Nationals.

Key notes: Thornton was fastest in his qualifying group, but he ran over a dropped driveshaft in his heat race, breaking his car's radiator. The team made repairs for the main event with a loaner radiator and won from the sixth row. ... Bobby Hogge IV won the modified feature along with his runner-up finish in the Late Model main. ... The tour made its fourth visit to Kings. ... Saturday is the first of two nights of racing. ... The event benefits Relay for Life.

On the move: Thornton improved 11 positions in grabbing the victory.

Winner's sponsors: Thornton's Jeff Manka-owned Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Affordable Powder Coating, MDM Accenting Services, Site Lite Mag Laser and Sunoco Race Fuels.

Points chase: Tony Toste and Clay Daly are neck-and-neck in the series points chase.

Next series race: May 25, Kings Speedway (Hanford, CA) $3,000