What won the race: Picking up where he left off last season, reigning Sooner Late Model Series champion Kip Hughes of Enid, Okla., dominated Saturday's 20-lap tour opener at Red Dirt Raceway. He grabbed the lead from outside the front row and never looked back en route to a $750 triumph over Kyle Sweeney.

Key notes: Hughes tallied his series-leading seventh career Sooner win. He won five of last year's 13 events, including three of the last four on his way to the series title. ... Hughes was victorious using his 604 Crate engine tuned by Dunsworth Machine. ... Sweeney overtook polesitter Damian Patocka for second late in the distance; Patocka settled for third. ... Jason Redman swapped the second spot with Patocka several times before coming to a stop on lap five, triggering one of the race's three caution flags. ... The event kicked off the Sooner tour's fourth season of competition.

Winner's sponsors: Hughes’s Marker Motorsports Barry Wright Race Car carries sponsorship from Hot Shot Power Washing, Mac Tools by Danny Stratton, Grand Garage, Knockout Graphics, Jerry Bergman Tax and Accounting,Tony Jackson Jr. Racing and Dunsworth Machine.

Points chase: Hughes grabbed the early points lead as he seeks a second straight title.

Car count: 14

Polesitter: Damian Patocka

Heat race winners: Kip Hughes, Jason Redman,  ,  ,  ,  ,  

Next series race: April 20, Enid Speedway (Enid, OK) $750