What won the race: Sixth-starting Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., fought his way to the front of the 63rd annual Illinois State Championship-Jon Hamilton Memorial at Peoria Speedway to earn $5,000 and his seventh feature victory in his last eight starts. Polesitter and runner-up Billy Drake of Bloomington, Ill., led most of the 100-lapper before Unzicker went by late in the race.

Quotable: "We've been chasing this damn race for a long time and we were trying to count it up today how many seconds I've had, and I think we've got five seconds, and somebody said six ... it definitely owed us one tonight," winner Ryan Unzicker said. "With the car being as red-hot as it's been, I was going for it."

Key notes: Unzicker, who is the 58th Illinois winner of Peoria's longest-running event, unofficially has 26 consecutive top-five finishes since his struggle-filled Summernationals. ... Jason Feger and Drake battled side-by-side early with Drake asserting control amid traffic and leading comfortably much of the distance. ... Second-running Brian Shirley was caught up in a mid-race wreck, but he was restored to his position. ... Unzicker won by more than a straightaway over Drake.

Winner's sponsors: Unzicker's Bob Pierce Race Car has a Pro Power Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Kingdon Farms, Leman Paint Works, Pro Tire and Automotive and RJR Transportation.

Who to watch: Jeremiah Hurst of Dubuque, Iowa, started 13th and finished sixth.

Points chase: Todd Bennett has 886 points to lead Roger Rebholz (768) and Matt Shannon (630) in the track’s weekly point standings.

Car count: 27

Fast qualifier: Mike Spatola

Time: 12.058 seconds

Polesitter: Billy Drake

Heat race winners: Mike Spatola, Jason Feger, Brian Shirley

Consolation race winners: Myles Moos