What won the race: Inheriting the victory when apparent flag-to-flag winner Brian Shirley failed to meet legal weight, Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., picked up a $5,000 MARS Racing Series victory Friday at Pepsi Lee County Speedway. Pierce was 0.383 seconds behind Shirley at the finish.

Key notes: Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., had completed a seemingly perfect night, after setting fast time winning his heat race and leading all 30 laps of the feature, but he was 40 pounds light at the scales and disqualified. ... Pierce claimed his ninth career victory with the MARS Racing Series presented by Rip It Energy Fuel. ... Lee County's event in the season-opening MARS tripleheader weekend came between stops at Davenport (Iowa) Speedway) and Peoria (Ill.) Speedway.... Friday's feature was cut to 30 from 40 scheduled laps because of threatening weather.

On the move: Tim Manville of Highland, Ill., started 17th and finished seventh

Winner's sponsors: Pierce’s Pierce Race Car has a Pro Power Racing Engine with sponsorship from Hoker Trucking, Allgayer Inc., Premier Waste Services, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Carnaghi Towing, Viper Risk Management, Extreme Electric, First Spear, Quality Paint & Body, Leka Tree Service, Advanced Suspension and Allstar Performance.

Points chase: The tripleheader weekend opens the MARS season.

Current weather: Overcast, 66°F

Car count: 18

Fast qualifier: Brian Shirley

Time: 15.737 seconds

Heat race winners: Frank Heckenast Jr., Brian Shirley

Next series race: June 27, Peoria Speedway (Peoria, IL) $5,000