What won the race: Fourth-starting Travis Stemer of Ionia, Mich., overtook race-long leader Greg Gokey with eight laps remaining Friday at I-96 Speedway to capture the opener on the Allstar Performance Challenge Series. Gokey finished 2.086 seconds behind, while Dona Marcoullier was third.

Key notes: Stemler won his second feature of the season; he won April 15's regular-season event at Winston Speedway in Rothbury, Mich. .... Third-finishing Dona Marcoullier of Houghton Lake, Mich., blew an engine in his new car during hot laps and had to switch to a back-up. After missing qualifying, he started in the rear of his heat and rallied to finish second. ... Gokey led the first 32 laps from outside the front row before Stemler took command. ... Polesitter Brandon Thirlby ended up fourth. ... Several cautions slowed the action. ... Half the 22 starters completed 40 laps. ... The series kicked off its season with I-96 hosting its first-ever race for the 3-year-old Michigan-based tour. … The series has expanded to five tracks this season. … Saturday's scheduled event at Thunderbird Raceway was cancelled; the track plans to run its regular season opener instead of a series event.

On the move: Rusty Schlenk of McClure, Ohio, started ninth and finished fifth.

Winner's sponsors: Stemler’s Anklam Racing Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Helm Electric, Cusack Collision, AP Smillie Contracting, Great Lakes Directional Drilling, Axle’s Place, Positive Cleaning, Britt Heinz Tree Service, MacAllister Rentals, Prime FX, Norton Equipment Sales, Brinn Transmissions and Algeo.

Points chase: It’s the tour’s opening weekend.

Current weather: Overcast, 52°F

Car count: 32

Fast qualifier: Chad Finley

Time: 16.264 seconds

Polesitter: Brandon Thirlby

Heat race winners: Greg Gokey, Chad Finley, Brandon Thirlby,  ,  ,  ,  ,  

Consolation race winners: Dave Baker,  ,  ,  

Next series race: May 27, Tri-City Motor Speedway (Auburn, MI) $4,000