ROSSBURG, Ohio — Mike Marlar’s most anxious moments during Friday’s Dream XXIX preliminary feature at Eldora Speedway likely had nothing to do with runner-up Jonathan Davenport. Instead, posing the biggest danger to Marlar’s success was slower traffic, including a gaggle of cars right in front of him as the laps wound down in the 25-lap, caution-free race.

Marlar, however, remained poised enough to keep Blairsville, Ga.’s Davenport — a five-time World 100 winner, the 2016 Dream winner and last season’s Eldora Million winner — behind him as he negotiated the traffic without the aid of a caution. Marlar, of Winfield, Tenn., built a 2-second lead with six laps remaining, more than enough to sustain Davenport’s late-race charge.

The winner did get a scare while lapping Tyler Millwood of Kingston, Ga., on lap 12, but he didn’t let family stand in his way while lapping his younger brother Cameron Marlar on lap 18.

Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., a prelim feature winner on Thursday, completed the top three as the top three finishers ran that way for the entire 25-lap distance. Chris Ferguson of Mount Holly, N.C., started sixth and improved two positions to finish fourth, while fifth-starting Kyle Strickler of Mooresville, N.C., finished where he started.

WATCH FRIDAY'S ELDORA DREAM GROUP A FEATURE REPLAY

Dirt Late Model Dream Friday Highlights From Eldora Speedway

VIDEO: Watch highlights from Friday's Twin 25s at Eldora Speedway. 

Winning Quote From Mike Marlar

“It was really tough. Our tires kind of die after a few laps and the steer tire is mainly the one that dies. This is such a slick track, you can't be hustling, but you got to get turned. So it's pretty tough getting through there, but we got through there. I seen Jonathan there once and I shut the door on him there. I don't know how it went the last lap, but I know I slammed the door pretty hard, so I appreciate him giving me room for sure.”

Dirt Late Model Dream Friday Preliminary Feature #1 Results