GIBSONTON, Fla. — The Crate Racin’ USAC Dirt Late Model Series kicked off three nights of racing at East Bay Raceway Park on Thursday night with Florida ace Mark Whitener in victory lane.

Whitener started on the pole and got the jump on Joseph Joiner to take the early lead and he was never headed during the 30-lap run on the historic third-mile dirt track.

While Whitener banked $2,500 for the victory, Kyle Lukon finished second.

Cory Hedgecock, Ashton Winger and Kyle Hardy rounded out the top five.

Seventy-eight cars signed in for the event.

The finish:

Mark Whitener, Kyle Lukon, Cory Hedgecock, Ashton Winger, Kyle Hardy, Frankie Lloyd, Jake Rainey, Dylan Knowles, Jake Knowles, Jeremy Shaw, Logan Roberson, Jason Welshan, Chris Bragg, Garrett Mosley, Drew Kennedy, Joseph Joiner, Richie Stephens, Kerry King, Phillip Cobb, Keith Nosbisch, Nevin Gainey, Colton Leyendecker, Mack McCarter, Todd Cooney, Tyler Riggs.