What won the race: Polesitter Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa, led all 40 laps Thursday to win the Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association's stop at Lee County Speedway for the second straight season. Simpson earned $3,000 for the caution-free victory that opened MLRA's Iowa tripleheader.

Key notes: Simpson notched his third overall victory of the season and his ninth career MLRA triumph. ... Runner-up Tony Jackson Jr. pressured the winner just past the halfway point, but Simpson stretched his margin over the final 10 laps. ... Lee County's 40-lap feature ended just before 10 p.m. with 12 drivers on the lead lap. ... MLRA's Iowa tripleheader continues with Friday's race at Davenport Speedway and Saturday's at Independence Motor Speedway. ... Simpson is MLRA's only repeat winner in five trips to Donnellson. ... Among drivers failing to make the feature lineup: Jeremy Grady, Gordy Gundaker, Jay Johnson, Rickey Frankel, Rob Toland, Justin Reed, Todd Frank and Mike Stadel.

On the move: Eighth-starting Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., finished third.

Winner's sponsors: Simpson’s Longhorn Chassis is powered by an Andy Durham Racing Engine and sponsored by Five Star Shop Service, Cheap Cars, Advanced Machine & Tool, Randy Davidson Trucking, IITI, Simpson Farms and Bill Bryant Trucking.

Points chase: Entering the event, Rodney Sanders (214 points) of Happy, Texas, led MLRA points over Will Vaught (202), Jesse Stovall (192), Terry Phillips (192) and Tony Jackson Jr. (184).

Car count: 33

Fast qualifier: Terry Phillips

Time: 15.358 seconds

Polesitter: Chris Simpson

Heat race winners: Chris Simpson, Dave Eckrich, Terry Phillips, Chad Simpson

Consolation race winners: Payton Looney

Provisional starters: Justin Asplin, Al Humphrey

Next series race: May 5, Davenport Speedway (Davenport, IA) $3,000