What won the race: Notching his 10th series victory of the season, polesitter Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., rebounded from a rough night for a $15,000 Lucas Oil Speedway victory on the opening night of the CHM Diamond Nationals. Thornton, part of three cautions in retiring early the previous night at Iowa's 34 Raceway, ran virtually unchallenged for a 40-lap Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series triumph, finishing 3.260 seconds ahead of series points leader and fellow front-row starter Jonathan Davenport.

Quotable: “Hopefully we can have a quiet day tomorrow," Thornton said. "No rain or anything like that hits us and we can be up here again."

Key notes: Winning for the first time on the tour since May 17, Ricky Thornton Jr. notched his 45th full-field Lucas Oil Series victory. ... Third-finishing Clay Harris of Jupiter, Fla., notched his first top-five series result of the season. ... A single caution slowed the action on the third lap when Kayden Clatt spun in turn two. ... Payton Looney was an early retiree in Tucker Cox's car. ... The feature rolled at 9:23 p.m. and concluded at 9:37 p.m. ... The 19th annual CMH Diamond Nationals concludes Saturday with a $25,000-to-win event.

On the move: Clay Harris of Jupiter, Fla., started 11th and finished third.

Winner's sponsors: Thornton’s Koehler Motorsports Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Coltman Farms Racing, Hoker Trucking, Capital Waste, Excel Floor Covering, Five Star Metal Buildings, Ultimate Towing, FK Rod Ends, Dynamic Drivelines, Ultrashield Race Products, Sharp Advantage Safety Products, Winning Edge Carburetion, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bilstein Shocks, Midwest Sheet Metal and EMD Wraps.

Points chase: After Wheatland Friday: 1. Jonathan Davenport (5,285); 2. Ricky Thornton Jr. (5,235); 3. Devin Moran (4,980); 4. Hudson O’Neal (4,945); 5. Garrett Alberson (4,770); 6. Brandon Sheppard (4,645); 7. Brandon Overton (4,565); 8. Daulton Wilson (4,305); 9. Carson Ferguson (4,115); 10. Donald McIntosh (3,960).

Current weather: Broken Clouds Light Rain, 72°F

Car count: 36

Fast qualifier: Ricky Thornton Jr.

Time: 15.012 seconds

Polesitter: Ricky Thornton Jr.

Heat race winners: Ricky Thornton Jr., Brandon Overton, Jonathan Davenport, Tyler Kuykendall,  ,  ,  ,  

Consolation race winners: Gordy Gundaker, Trevor Gundaker,  ,  

Provisional starters: Daniel Hilsabeck, Dan Ebert,  ,  

Next series race: July 12, Lucas Oil Speedway (Wheatland, MO) $25,000