What won the race: Powering around the outside of mid-race leader Andy Eckrich, ninth-starting Justin Kay of Wheatland, Iowa, led the final seven laps to win Friday's $3,000 Malvern Bank East Series stop at Maquoketa Speedway. Kay captured his first series victory of the season and the 10th of his career, further extending his lead on the tour's all-time win list.

Quotable: “(My crew chief) Tyson (Gheer) put his head into it after the heat race, we weren’t very good,” Kay said. “We got the car a lot better, it fit me better, the track was awesome. First half of the race, I was sitting back there around fifth or sixth, somewhere in there, watching .. this is fun! We could go anywhere, top, bottom and it was a good night.”

Key notes: The fifth-starting Eckrich, of Oxford, Iowa, remained committed to the low line and led laps 12-23 before giving way to Kay and finishing 1.215 seconds back. Eckrich's performance gives him an early advantage in the season-long standings. ... Dylan Thornton, winner of May 10's season opener at Stuart (Iowa) Speedway, led the opening 11 laps from the pole before slipping to finish third. ... Jason Hahne improved six spots and placed seventh. ... The race's lone caution flew on lap 13 when Luke Pestka spun from 16th and pulled off. ... The feature lasted 11 minutes, with 18 drivers completing the distance and 21 running at the checkers.

On the move: Andrew Kosiski of Omaha, Neb., started 17th and finished ninth.

Winner's sponsors: Kay’s MB Customs Race Car carries sponsorship from A&E Freight Service, Hoker Trucking, Wyffels Hybrids, Petersen Insurance, Kay Farms Elevator Trucking, Wetrs Machine & Racing Products, Wheatland Auto Body, Wyffels Hybrids, Hyperco, Dynamic Drivelines, Performance Bodies and Capital Race Decals.

Points chase: After Maquoketa: 1. Andy Eckrich (580); 2. Chad Holladay (570); 3. Jason Hahne (566); 4. Dylan Thornton (560); 5. Derrick Stewart (556).

Current weather: Clear, 68°F

Car count: 26

Fast qualifier: Derrick Stewart

Time: 14.139 seconds

Polesitter: Dylan Thornton

Heat race winners: Dylan Thornton, Chris Spieker, Jeff Tharp,  ,  ,  ,  ,  

Consolation race winners: Andrew Kosiski,  ,  ,  

Provisional starters: Darrel DeFrance, Curtis Glover, Curt Schroeder,  ,  

Next series race: May 26, Dubuque Speedway (Dubuque, IA) $3,000