What won the race: Fourth-starting Dustin Mitchell of Pine Level, N.C., took advantage when front-row starters Willie Milliken and Michael Rouse tangled on the first lap, advancing Mitchell to share the front row with Robbie Emory. Mitchell proceeded to lead all 40 laps at Dixieland Speedway, winning Friday's $5,000 Steel Block Bandits Dirt Late Model Challenge feature. Mitchell earned his seventh career Steel Block Bandits main event victory and becomes the sixth different winner in as many series races to start the year.
Key notes: Milliken, of Roanoke Rapids, N.C., was deemed to cause the lap-one incident with Rouse and forced to tag the field; Milliken completed only 11 laps and finished 20th. Rouse, of Wilson, N.C., was disqualified for the night after retaliating under caution. ... Robbie Emory trailed Mitchell the entire distance, finishing 0.603 of a second back. ... Steel Block Bandits points leader Derick Quade advanced four positions and finished third. ... Brent Robinson gained five spots and finished fourth. ... Jeff Parsons was the highest finishing series rookie, finishing sixth after starting 12th. ... After damaging his primary car earlier in the night and using a series provisional, Matt Glanden drove a car owned by Kerry King from 24th to finish 10th. ... Tyler Bare advanced from 22nd to seventh before a broken rear end ended his race on lap 25. ... Friday's feature lasted 34 minutes, with 16 drivers completing all 40 laps. ... The Steel Block Bandits Dirt Late Model Challenge head to Virginia Motor Speedway for Saturday's $5,000-to-win weekend finale.
On the move: Matt Glanden of Denton, Md., started 24th and finished 10th.
Winner's sponsors: Mitchell’s C&R Motorsports Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Victory Race Engine and sponsored by TWA Concrete, The Muffler Place, ColeBrooke Custom Homes, Honeycutt Custom Cabinets, Butts ‘n Such Harry’s Tire and Auto Service, The Fat Pelican Bare, R.W. Mason Roofing, Superior Automotive, HST Suspension and Penske Racing Shocks.
Points chase: Before Dixieland: 1. Derick Quade (230); 2. Tyler Bare (220); 3. Robbie Emory (215); 4. Dan Breuer (194); 5. Samuel Bryant (180).
Current weather: Clear, 64°F
Car count: 31
Fast qualifier: Michael Batten
Time: 17.211 seconds
Polesitter: Willie Milliken
Heat race winners: Willie Milliken, Robbie Emory, Michael Rouse, Dustin Mitchell, , , ,
Consolation race winners: Derrick Rankin, , ,
Provisional starters: Tyler Bare, Matt Glanden, ,
Next series race: June 3, Virginia Motor Speedway (Jamaica, VA) $5,000