What won the race: Fourth-starting Will Vaught of Crane, Mo., took the lead late in the event when race-long leader Justin Asplin of Birch Tree, Mo., slid up the race track in turns three and four and went on to become the sixth different winner through six MARS DIRTcar Series events in 2014, pocketing $3,000 for his efforts.

Quotable: "The history of Monett, the track is so abusive on tires and getting them hot," said Vaught. "I've learned from my mistakes and I was just trying to be patient."

Key notes: Asplin battled side-by-side for the lead with polesitter Kyle Beard of Trumann, Ark., in the opening laps before gaining the advantage and holding it for much of the race. ... Vaught took second from Beard on a early restart and stalked Asplin until the leader made a mistake. ... Asplin settled for third, while the early-contending Beard was shuffled back to sixth on mid-race restarts. ... Jeremy Payne of Springfield, Mo., piloted the GRT house car to a fifth-place finish. ... Vaught has seven career victories on the tour; his previous MARS win came Aug. 9, 2013, at Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb. ... Monett hosted the first event of a weekend tripleheader for MARS competitors. ... Saturday's tour event in Dodge City, Kan., and Sunday's race in Wichita, Kan., are co-sanctioned by the National Championship Racing Assocation and Championship Dirt Motorsports.

On the move: Jack Sullivan of Greenbrier, Ark., rallied from the middle of the pack to finish second, following Vaught past Asplin when the leader slipped high.

Winner's sponsors: Vaught pilots a Warrior Race Car powered by a Custom Race Engine with sponsorship from Circle M Auto Sales, Eibach Springs, GW Performance, Integra Racing Shocks, Midwest Sheet Metal, Peterson Fluid Systems, Port City Racing and Warrior Race Cars.

Points chase: Seventh-finishing Tony Jackson Jr. of Lebanon, Mo., has 357 points to lead Asplin by 26 points and Jesse Stovall of Galena, Mo., by 35 points.

Car count: 31

Polesitter: Kyle Beard

Heat race winners: Garrett Alberson, Kyle Beard, Justin Asplin, Will Vaught

Consolation race winners: Shane Essary, Jeff Roth

Provisional starters: Darrell Mooneyham, Jon Driskill, Garrett Essary, Leroy Johnson

Next series race: May 3, Dodge City Raceway Park (Dodge City, KS) $3,000