What won the race: Dylan Thompson led all 30 laps from the pole in Saturday's Ultimate Heart of America Series debut at Paducah International Raceway, scoring a big hometown win worth $5,000. Thompson beat Tanner English by 1.308 seconds for his first career Heart of America tour triumph and second win of the season at Paducah, both coming in the last four weeks.

Key notes: Thompson scored his biggest win since a July 9, 2023, upset on the DIRTcar Summer Nationals at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind., worth $5,000. ... His other Paducah victory came in Aug. 22's Midwest Dirt Nationals, a 602 Crate Late Model event that also paid $5,000. ... Tanner English, winner of the last major Super Late Model race last July at Paducah, briefly fell to third from laps 15-24 before retaking the runner-up spot on lap 25, but never seriously challenged Thompson over the final six circuits. ... Fourth-starting Brenden Smith trailed Thompson just after the race's halfway mark until English reclaimed the spot, leaving Smith settling for third. ... Brody Smith held fourth for much of the race until Matt Cooper and Rusty Griffaw slipped by on lap 25, dropping the younger Smith to sixth. ... Larry Martin Jr. finished just ahead of 13th-starting Daniel Shelton to retain the points lead by one marker going into Sunday's series debut at Windy Hollow Speedway in Owensboro, Ky. ... Jadon Frame retired after the race's opening lap. ... The 30-lap feature lasted 18 minutes with eight starters completing the distance and 11 running at the finish. ... Paducah track promoters Adam and Brittany Elliott, who have operated the facility for five seasons, announced plans to end their tenure at season’s end and listed the property for sale; they hope to transition to a new owner or lessee as soon as possible.

On the move: Rusty Griffaw of Festus, Mo., started ninth and finished fifth.

Winner's sponsors: Thompson’s Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Vic Hill Racing Engine and sponsored by Chase Motorsports Coach & Trailer, ChaseCoach.com, Bilstein Shocks, Triple T Aviation, Dale Calendar Farms and Silcker Graphics.

Points chase: After Paducah: 1. Larry Martin Jr. (198); 2. Daniel Shelton (197); 3. Cyle Forgy (127); 4. Michael Chilton (87); 5. Richard Musick (86).

Current weather: Clear, 75°F

Car count: 17

Fast qualifier: Dylan Thompson

Time: 14.932 seconds

Polesitter: Dylan Thompson

Heat race winners: Dylan Thompson, Tanner English

Next series race: September 20, Windy Hollow Speedway (Owensboro, KY) $5,000