What won the race: Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., used a turn-three slide job to pass Daniel Hilsabeck for the lead on the opening lap and navigated lapped traffic perfectly over the remaining distance for a dominating victory in Friday's 40-lap 13th annual Spring Nationals opener at Lucas Oil Speedway. Davenport beat Garrett Alberson by 7.529 seconds for the $7,000 payday, his fourth overall win of the season, 16th career Midwest LateModel Racing Association victory and 14th career Wheatland triumph.

Quotable: “(The car) was way better than I was, apparently. We wasn’t very happy with it last night, we still had some bugs to work out of it, but my guys put their heads together and worked really hard today,” Davenport said. “We didn’t know if we was gonna get to race or not (because of rain). The good lord gave us a little extra traction and we needed it all there.”

Key notes: Davenport cruised to his fourth career Spring Nationals victory at Wheatland, adding to a $10,000 win in 2023 and a sweep in '24 that was worth more than $27,000. ... It was his first MLRA win since the co-sanctioned Show-Me 100 in 2024. ... Davenport has more than $200,000 in combined earnings at Wheatland since his first victory there on May 21, 2015. ... Friday marked his first win this season off the Lucas Oil tour after sweeping March 4-6's Wieland Winternationals at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Ga. ... The ninth-starting Alberson marched from fifth on lap 16 to take second by lap 34 but never had anything for Davenport in the closing laps. ... Points leader Tony Jackson Jr. pursued Davenport from laps 15-33 before settling for third. ... Ricky Thornton Jr. passed Daniel Hilsabeck for fourth on the final lap. Hilsabeck led the opening half-lap before slipping to fifth. ... Polesitter Steve Stultz faded to 19th before retiring on the 29th lap. ... Chase Junghans pulled off under green on lap 25. ... Dillon McCowan utilized a series provisional after he wasn't allowed to compete in the night's third heat race because he was found to have an unapproved 2-compound right-rear tire on his car. He slowed to draw the feature's lone caution on lap six and was scored as the race's first retiree. ... The MLRA Spring Nationals opener lasted 15 minutes with seven starters completing 40 laps and 21 running at the checkers. ... Justin Reed was disqualified after appearing to finish second in the night's second consolation. ... Derrick Stewart scratched after time trials.

On the move: Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., started 19th and finished fourth.

Winner's sponsors: Davenport’s Double L Motorsports Longhorn Chassis carries sponsorship from Ace Doran, Nutrien Ag Solutions, ASC Warranty, Mark Martin Automotive, Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas, Mount Airy Polaris, Bilstein Shocks, VP Racing Fuels, Dyer’s Top Rods, Go Lithium Batteries and Midwest Sheet Metal.

Points chase: After Wheatland Friday: 1. Tony Jackson Jr. (750); 2. Aaron Marrant (585); 3. Dillon McCowan (575); 4. Brennon Willard (565); 5. Jeff Herzog (550).

Current weather: Clear, 61°F

Car count: 35

Fast qualifier: Jonathan Davenport

Time: 15.265 seconds

Polesitter: Steve Stultz

Heat race winners: Steve Stultz, Daniel Hilsabeck, Jonathan Davenport, Tony Jackson Jr.

Consolation race winners: Laela Eisenschenk, Chevy Boyer

Provisional starters: Aaron Marrant, Dillon McCowan, Brennon Willard, Sawyer Crigler, Joey Smith

Next series race: April 11, Lucas Oil Speedway (Wheatland, MO) $20,000