While the heat of the day had most drivers struggling for grip, and an electrical problem had official timing and scoring off-line for Saturday's two practice sessions, handheld stopwatches indicated that the 41 car was the favorite to grab the pole.

Transponders were back on the cars for qualifying and the 41 didn't disappoint, as Mark Borchetta turned a lap of 16.74, besting Chad Schug's 16.77. The two Tony Green Motorsports cars were over a tenth quicker the rest of the field.

With no inversion, Borchetta started on point and led the first ten laps. But while the 41 showed signs of speed, it wasn't consistent as the car wouldn't turn through the middle of the corners. After a caution from a solo spin at the back of the field on lap 10, the 41 and the 98 of Brent Scheidemantle battled two laps side-by-side with both the 98 and the 88 of Schug gaining position on the 41. The 88 quickly passed the 98, and when the handling finally came under control on the 41, Borchetta was ready to make a move on the 98 for second. But it wasn't meant to be as the motor on the 41 broke and Borchetta coasted off the track.

The 88 pulled away comfortably from the field, though a couple of cautions gave the 98 unfulfillable hopes of mounting a challenge. So the real action was between the 97 of Eric Gunderson and the 10 of Aaron Wells. Wells was feeling very confident as evidenced by his turning the fastest lap in the race. So searching for his first podium finish in the Legend cars, he motored past Gunderson – a hard task in any driver's estimation – and gave the 98 a challenge for second before bringing home the third spot on the podium.

That's two wins in a row for last year's champion, opening the season on a very promising note, still driving the borrowed #88 from Tony Green Motorsports. The Legends are back again for more exciting action this Saturday at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale.

For video highlights visit:

www.toyotaspeedwayatirwindale.com

For session results and laptimes visit:

www.mylaps.com