Key notes: The Repairable Vehicles.com Tri-State Late Model Series kicks off a weekend tripleheader in Thursday’s $3,000-to-win Wheel Jam opener at Dakota State Fair Speedway. … It’s the 11th-ever series visit to the Huron, S.D., 3/8-mile oval. … It’s the season opener after the first scheduled events rained out. … Chad Olsen of Hendricks, Minn., won last fall’s $2,000 series stop. … Chad’s son, Charlie Olsen, was disqualified last June, lifting Josh Skorczewski to his first career series victory. … Chad Becker of Aberdeen, S.D., won last June’s $5,000 Wheel Jam finale after topping 2023’s $3,000 Wheel Jam opener. … Dakota State Fair’s Wheel Jam concludes with Saturday’s $5,000-to-win series return. … Super stocks, midwest mods and street stocks are on the undercard. … Pits open at 4 p.m. and grandstands open at 6, with racing at 7.

Who to watch: Chad Becker of Aberdeen, S.D., seeks his third career Wheel Jam event triumph.

Points chase: It’s the season opener

Expected entrants: Chad Becker, Chad Olsen, Josh Skorczewski, Scott Ward, Trevor Anderson, Chase Alves, Lee Grosz, Charlie Olsen, Blake Swenson, Jayson Good, Morgan Ward Grosz, Chad Williamson, Chuck Swenson and others.

Current weather: Overcast Light Rain, 68°F

Next series race: June 6, Brown County Speedway (Aberdeen, SD) $2,500