What won the race: Polesitter John Kaanta of Elk Mound, Wis., controlled Thursday night’s DiscountShopTowels.com Dirt Kings Tour-sanctioned Firecracker 40 at Mississippi Thunder Speedway to register his first career series victory. Finishing ahead of Tim Isenberg and Troy Springborn, Kaanta pocketed $5,000.

Quotable: “The car was really good. We worked on it all week. My son Tony put a ton of hours in it, my buddy Rick too,” said Kaanta. “Those first few laps, the 81 wouldn’t let up there. (Third-place finisher) Troy (Springborn) was really persistent and it was good clean racing and a lot of fun. I’m so happy. This is our first win this year. We were kind of struggling the first part of the year. Like I said, Tony really did a lot of work on the car, and Rick and Dean, and got ‘er really good tonight.”

Key notes: The DiscountShopTowels.com Dirt Kings Tour returned to Mississippi Thunder Speedway for a pair of $5,000-to-win events on Thursday and Friday. … The tour’s season-opener at Mississippi Thunder Speedway in May drew 47 entries, with Jake Timm of Winona, Minn., winning the main event. … Thursday’s race was just the third of the season for the series. … Friday pits open at 3 p.m.; grandstands open at 5 p.m.

On the move: Ron Berna of Abrams, Wis., started 21st and finished fifth.

Winner's sponsors: Kaanta’s MB Customs Race Car has a Brown Engineering Racing Engine and is sponsored by Mars Race Cars, CMD Race Shocks, Joe Provo Race Wear, C&D Trucking, All Season Tire Pros, WI Fleet Services, Brent Wachsmuth Excavating, Trucking & Concrete, Don’s Sheet Metal, Gibson Aviation Services, GRP Motorsports and Rick’s Auto Care Center.

Points chase: Before Thursday, Brett Swedberg (120 points) of Shawano, Wis., led Justin Ritchie (118) and fourth others tied at 100 points.

Current weather: Clear, 79°F

Car count: 34

Polesitter: John Kaanta

Heat race winners: John Kaanta, Justin Reed, Taylor Scheffler, Lance Matthees,  ,  ,  ,  

Consolation race winners: Mitch McGrath,  ,  ,  

Next series race: July 10, Outagamie Speedway (Seymour, WI) $10,000