Key notes: Following Wednesday’s rainout at Spoon River Speedway in Banner, Ill., the Castrol FloRacing Night in America Series presented by Kubota now begins Illinois Speedweek and its 2024 season with Thursday’s $20,000-to-win opener at Lincoln Speedway. … It’s the fourth-year national tour’s third-ever visit to Lincoln's quarter-mile oval. … Reigning series champion Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., looks for a strong Illinois Speedweek start as he begins his title defense efforts. … Hudson O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., topped last year’s series stop at Lincoln, collecting $23,023 aboard Mark Richards’s Rocket house car. … Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., is a four-time feature winner there since 2022, including back-to-back DIRTcar Summer Nationals victories, earning more than $17,000 over that span. … Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., won 2022’s inaugural tour visit. … Modifieds are on the undercard competing for $2,000-to-win. … Pits open at 3 p.m. and grandstands open at 4, with hot laps at 6 and racing slated to start at 7. … Watch live on FloRacing.

Who to watch: Reigning series champion Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., looks for a strong Illinois Speedweek start as he begins his title defense efforts.

Points chase: It's the season opener.

Expected entrants: Bobby Pierce, Ricky Thornton Jr., Devin Moran, Ryan Gustin, Brandon Sheppard, Mike Marlar, Tyler Erb, Tim McCreadie, Shannon Babb, Max Blair, Brian Shirley, Jason Feger, Garrett Alberson, Daulton Wilson, Carson Ferguson, Tanner English, Hudson O’Neal, Dennis Erb Jr., Garrett Smith, Ryan Unzicker, Frank Heckenast Jr., Cody Overton, Bob Gardner, Logan Seavey, Mike Spatola, Myles Moos and more.

Current weather: Overcast, 64°F

Next series race: May 14, Brownstown Speedway (Brownstown, IN) $20,000