What won the race: Overcoming several mid-race restarts, Ryan Gustin of Marshalltown, Iowa, led all 30 laps from the pole to win Thursday's inaugural K.C. Cup at I-70 Speedway. Gustin raced to the $7,000 payday by 2.777 seconds over fifth-starting Chad Simpson, grabbing his third Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association victory of the season and the 13th of his career.

Quotable: “This place is fun, I’ve never been here before. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it widened out there towards the end of that race,” Gustin said. “I felt like after the race there, I peeled to the bottom, had traction down there too. All in all, it was a very good night, a very fast racecar, awesome place.”

Key notes: Gustin grabbed his 14th overall victory of the season, including Sept. 5's $12,000 World 100 prelim at Eldora, and has now won three of the last four MLRA events. ... Points leader Chad Simpson further extended his advantage entering Friday's $7,000-to-win season finale at Tri-City Speedway at Granite City, Ill. ... Tony Jackson Jr. prevailed to round out the podium after trading third with Dillon McCowan several times between laps 16-21. Jackson enters Friday's finale with a five-point edge over Chris Simpson as they battle for runner-up behind Chad Simpson. ... The second-starting McCowan, of Urbana, Mo., slipped to fourth. ... The race was slowed by four incidents, the largest coming on lap 20 when Daniel Hilsabeck flipped while battling for sixth. He climbed from his car unhurt after hopping the heavy turn-three cushion and rolling before landing on his wheels; the incident required a 10-minute red flag for cleanup. ... Hilsabeck had worked his way back to sixth after pitting for a flat right-rear when he slowed to trigger the first stoppage on lap nine. ... Jon Binning spun in turn four as he attempted to pull into the infield on lap 16, bringing out the second yellow. He did not continue and was credited with 14th. ... The final caution came on lap 27, erasing Gustin's 3.5-second lead, when Steve Stultz slowed with a flat right-front. Stultz continued to finish ninth, the final starter to complete 30 laps, after changing the tire. ... The inaugural K.C. Cup marked MLRA's first event at I-70 since July 14, 2022, and lasted 24 minutes. ... Series regular Jim Vanzandt scratched after hot laps. ... Dustin Hodges overcame a broken driveshaft in hot laps to finish 11th after missing all prelim action. He pulled off on lap 27.

On the move: Tony Jackson Jr. of Lebanon, Mo., started eighth and finished third.

Winner's sponsors: Gustin’s Todd Cooney-owned Infinity by Wells Chassis is powered by a Jay Dickens Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Alan’s Seamless Gutters, Karl Auto Group, May Properties, Murty Farms, Mark Hambelton Ford, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil, FK Rod Ends, Swift Springs, VP Race Fuels, Bilstein Shocks, Dynamic Drivelines and Performance Bodies.

Points chase: After I-70: 1. Chad Simpson (3,235); 2. Tony Jackson Jr. (3,140); 3. Chris Simpson (3,135); 4. Dillon McCowan (2,935); 5. Trevor Gundaker (2,740).

Current weather: Clear, 79°F

Car count: 15

Fast qualifier: Chad Simpson

Time: 15.820 seconds

Polesitter: Ryan Gustin

Heat race winners: Ryan Gustin, Dillon McCowan

Next series race: October 11, Tri-City Speedway (Granite City, IL) $7,000