What won the race: Winning again at a track where he's cashed more than $40,000 over nine seasons, polesitter Mark Whitener of Middleburg, Fla., led all 35 laps Friday at Waycross Motor Speedway on the Southern Thunder Super Dirt Series. Whitener kept sixth-starting Wil Herrington in check in the second half of the race for his second career series victory.

Quotable: "This means a lot. This Super Late Model stuff is hard to do, so to be up here in victory lane means a lot. There's a lot of really, really good, good guys here this weekend, so to be standing up here is pretty cool," Whitener said. "I got a little close to the lapped cars, I was just gonna start lapping them. And when (a competitor) hit the berm and spun out, it about took me out of the race. So I just kept my distance between the lapped cars so I could see what they was gonna do."

Key notes: Mark Whitener's previous Southern Thunder victory came July 25, 2025, at Penton (Ala.) Raceway. ... Whitener owns seven major feature wins since the fall of 2018 at Waycross, earning more than $45,000 over that span. … Whitener had a few scares in lapped traffic, including when the white flag flew with runner-up Wil Herrington nearly drawing within striking distance. .... Said Herrington with a smile: "The odds of Mark messing up is very, very slim." ... Two cautions slowed the action, the first on the 11th lap for a slower car's spin in turn one in front of Whitener... The race's first start attempt was called back. ... Matthew Brocato's car was pushed to the pits before the green flag; Casey Roberts and Landen Zakalowski also failed to complete a lap. ... Crate standout Bubba Roling made his Super Late Model debut, finishing sixth. ... Sixteen drivers completed 35 laps in the 13-minute race that concluded about 10:25 p.m.

On the move: Runner-up Wil Herrington of Hawkinsville, Ga., started sixth.

Winner's sponsors: Whitener’s Cody Jett-owned Longhorn Chassis has Pro Power Racing Engine and is sponsored by Southeast Ship Repair, Whitener’s Tractor Service, Johnny Doan Plumbing, Ocala Restaurant Supply, Jett Concrete Works, ML Motorsports, Angry Elephant Tattoo and Piercing, DT Welding, Baker Farms, RaceCar Engineering, ETG, Chad Tuten at Boswell Oil, VP Racing Fuels, FK Rod Ends, Penske Racing Shocks, Swift Springs and Hoosier Racing Tire.

Points chase: Before Waycross: 1. Wil Herrington (100); 2. Mark Whitener (94); 3. Kyle Bronson (92); 4. Ashton Winger (90); 5. Ben Watkins (88).

Current weather: Clear, 72°F

Car count: 23

Fast qualifier: Mark Whitener

Time: 16.609 seconds

Polesitter: Mark Whitener

Next series race: May 16, Needmore Speedway (Norman Park, GA) $7,501