What won the race: Continuing his sizzling run of regional success in 2015, Jesse Stovall of Billings, Mo., overtook Tommy Weder Jr. of Woodward, Okla., for the lead just before the halfway point and drove away to his 11th victory of the season in the 30-lap Freedom Classic weekend opener co-sanctioned by the MARS DIRTcar Series and Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association. Stovall's march from the sixth starting spot to the checkered flag added $3,000 to his bank account.

Quotable: "This place is a 'go fast, get on the top and get her done (track),'" Stovall said. "My old hot rod would go around the bottom there pretty good tonight too. I think that's what kind of give me a little bit of an edge to be able to make a pass for the lead. Once we got in the lead we just kind of found a good line."

Key notes: Stovall controlled the race after a lap-20 caution flag, Jason Utter of Columbus Junction, Iowa, to the finish line by 1.567 seconds. ... The victory was Stovall's fifth of the season under the MARS banner and fourth in MLRA competition. ... Utter lost second to Justin Asplin of Birch Tree, Mo., on the lap-20 restart but regained the position a few circuits later. ... Weder faded to a ninth-place finish after starting from the pole and leading the early stages of the feature. ... MARS points leader Tony Jackson Jr. of Lebanon, Mo., started second but ran into trouble, finishing 15th and completing just 20 laps. ... Reigning MLRA champ Chad Simpson of Mount Vernon, Iowa, was the feature's first retiree; he failed to complete a lap.

On the move: Utter earned hard-charger honors, advancing from the 20th starting spot to finish second; Ryan Gustin of Marshalltown, Iowa, also made a strong advance from the 17th starting spot to fourth.

Winner's sponsors: Stovall's winning Black Diamond Chassis has a Scott Bailey Engine with sponsorship from Hoosier Racing Tire, Malvern Trust & Savings Bank, Midwest Sheet Metal, Rushin Towing, Scott Bailey and Swafford's Service.

Points chase: Through July 3, Jackson has an 18-point edge over Asplin atop the MARS standings; Terry Phillips remains atop the MLRA table.

Car count: 31

Polesitter: Tommy Weder Jr.

Heat race winners: Jason O'Brien, Tommy Weder Jr., Jeff Roth, Tony Jackson Jr.

Consolation race winners: Ryan Gustin, Randy Timms

Next series race: July 4, Salina Highbanks Speedway (Salina, OK) $5,000