NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. Patrick Emerling took the lead late in the race and held on during a green-white-checkered finish to win Saturdays NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season opener at New Smyrna Speedway.

It was Emerlings eighth career Tour victory.

Emerling grabbed the lead on lap 182, but the New Smyrna Beach Visitors Bureau 200 was extended by six laps to 200 circuits of the half-mile track because of a late caution flag.

But despite the two-lap dash to the checkered flag, Emerling held off Craig Lutz by .380 seconds to earn the victory.

I just have to thank everyone involved for this opportunity, Emerling said. This wouldnt happen if it werent for Rich Gautreau, my family, and this whole awesome crew right here.

We have the best crew in the garage, best team, best everything. Thank you for everyone involved. This is incredible. This is what we expected to do.

Justin Bonsignore, Luke Baldwin and Austin Beers completed the top five.

Spencer Davis won the pro late model feature that was also on the card.

The finish:

Patrick Emerling, Craig Lutz, Justin Bonsignore, Luke Baldwin, Austin Beers, Stephen Kopcik, Eric Goodale, Ryan Newman, Ron Silk, Andrew Krause, Tyler Rypkema, Brian Robie, Trevor Catalano, Tommy Catalano, Matt Hirschman, Max Zachem, Mark Stewart, Tyler Catalano, Ken Heagy, Dave Sapienza,         Mike Marshall, Tyler Barry, Norman Newman, Gary McDonald, Chris Hatton, Jeremy Gerstner, Kyle Bonsignore, Frank Fleming, Chase Dowling, Brian Sones, Jacob Lutz.