What won the race: Overcoming a rash of stoppages and restarts, Cade Dillard of Robeline, La., led all 30 laps for a convincing $5,026 victory in Saturday's season-opening First Blood event at Arrowhead Speedway. Dillard beat R.C. Whitwell by 1.250 seconds for his first victory of the 2026 season and eighth career Comp Cams Super Dirt Series victory in the tour's non-points opener.

Quotable: “It’s a little unusual to get the season started this early, but it was nice to get a head start before we head west,” Dillard said. “We came strictly to test a lot of new stuff for this car. Luckily, the track slowed down so we could get a little feel for it. Man this little place, it’s elbows up fast, I’m wore out.”

Key notes: Dillard has victories in three straight starts dating back to his sweep of last fall's Revival Series doubleheader at the Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track, worth more than $6,000. ... It's his first Comp Cams win since last May's series stop at Revolution Park in Monroe, La. ... Dillard lowered the track record in time trials. ... R.C. Whitwell pursued Dillard for all 30 laps, but never seriously threatened. ... The race was slowed by five cautions, including two red flags, the most serious incident for Tony Jackson Jr.'s barrel-rolling crash on a lap-nine restart as he battled Whitwell for second. Jackson bicycled at the turn-three entrance and flipped several times before landing upside down in the track's heavy cushion; he was OK. ... Clay Stuckey grabbed third on the lap-nine restart and rounded out the podium finishers. ... Jon Mitchell claimed fourth on a lap-27 restart after Chandler Petty retired. ... Tyler Wolff overcame a lap-11 spin to finish fifth. ... Other stoppages came originally on lap nine for a spin by Matt Menzie after contact as Whitwell attempted to lap him. Menzie was collected in Wolff's lap-11 spin and continued for a handful more laps before calling it a night. ... A lap-18 caution was displayed for a slowing Larry Bratti. ... Joe Godsey slowed from sixth with a flat right-rear tire on lap 27 and pulled off. ... The non-points season opener lasted 29 minutes with nine starters completing 30 laps. … Arrowhead Speedway is slated to host the Comp Cams Series six more times in 2026, including $10,000-to-win events on March 27-28, July 31 and Oct. 10, an $11,000-to-win event on Sept. 13 and Oct. 11’s $20,000-to-win season finale.

On the move: Jace Parmley of Neosho, Mo., started 18th and finished sixth.

Winner's sponsors: Dillard’s Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by S&S Fishing & Rental, Krohn Farms, Joel’s Auto Sales, Strength Roofing & Siding, Johnsville Company LLC, Jody’s Oilfield Service, Bryan Cook Trucks, Hoosier Racing Tire, Lonestar Equipment & Repair, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Nichols, Production Jars, Bilstein Shocks, VP Racing Fuels and Supreme Vinyl Works.

Points chase: It's a non-points season opener.

Current weather: Clear, 34°F

Car count: 21

Fast qualifier: Cade Dillard

Time: 11.537 seconds

Polesitter: Cade Dillard

Heat race winners: Cade Dillard, R.C. Whitwell, Tony Jackson Jr.

Next series race: March 27, Arrowhead Speedway (Colcord, OK) $10,000