What won the race: Dillon McCowan of Urbana, Mo., staved off consistent pressure from Tony Jackson Jr. to lead all 30 laps from the pole in winning Friday's 12th annual Ron Jenkins Memorial opener at Lucas Oil Speedway. McCowan scored a $5,000 payday, his first Midwest LateModel Racing Association victory of the season and second of his career.

Quotable: "I could tell Tony (Jackson Jr.) was back there. My sticks, I don’t feel like, ever moved," McCowan said. "He was definitely tough and then when we got into lapped traffic there, I was … I guess I should’ve just put (the lapped car) in the fence cause he was wanting to race with me so bad."

Key notes: MLRA points leader Tony Jackson Jr. crossed the line second but was later disqualified to last in the 24-car field; the series didn't immediately announce the reason. ... McCowan maintained control through the race's four restarts and held off Jackson's turn-three slide job attempt to capture his second series victory and first since June 7, 2024, at Callaway Raceway in Fulton, Mo. ... McCowan won for the third straight time at his home track after sweeping the July 10-11 Diamond Nationals on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. ... Seventh-starting Chris Simpson moved from fifth-to-third on a lap-19 restart and was moved up to second at the finish after a back-and-forth battle with Chase Junghans. ... Terry Phillips slipped by Derrick Stewart for fifth on lap 28 while 20th-starting Chad Simpson took sixth on the final lap, dropping Stewart to seventh (all were moved up one spot in the finish). ... The event honors Ron Jenkins, the founder of Wheatland Raceway which was transformed into Lucas Oil Speedway 18 years ago. ... Friday's opener was slowed four times, the first time on the second lap when ninth-running Ryan Gustin lost his driveline. ... Kayden Clatt ran as high as second early before slipping to sixth and slowing with a flat tire for the second stoppage on lap six. ... Third-running Cade Dillard slapped the turn-four wall on lap 19 and limped off. ... J.C. Wyman spun in turn one for the final slowdown on the 21st lap. ... The 30-lapper lasted 21 minutes with 14 starters completing the distance. ... The two-day event concludes with Saturday's 40-lap, $10,000-to-win finale.

On the move: Aaron Marrant of Richmond, Mo., started 23rd and finished seventh.

Winner's sponsors: McCowan’s Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Scott Bailey Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from The Chunky Poodle Cookie Co., BLC Transportation, Pomeroy Services, Empire Energy, McCowan Farms, Heritage Tractor, Elite Construction, VP Racing Fuels, Swift Springs, Bilstein Shocks, FK Rod Ends, Gorsuch Performance, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Midwest Sheet Metal and Berr Graphics.

Points chase: After Wheatland Friday: 1. Tony Jackson Jr. (1,910); 2. Aaron Marrant (1,785); 3. Jeff Herzog (1,715); 4. Matthew Larson (1,495); 5. Brennon Willard (1,485).

Current weather: Clear, 88°F

Car count: 39

Fast qualifier: Dillon McCowan

Time: 14.934 seconds

Polesitter: Dillon McCowan

Heat race winners: Dillon McCowan, Kayden Clatt, Tony Jackson Jr., Derrick Stewart

Consolation race winners: Trevor Gundaker, Gordy Gundaker

Provisional starters: Aaron Marrant, Steve Stultz

Next series race: September 5, Lucas Oil Speedway (Wheatland, MO) $10,000