What won the race: His left-side sheetmetal mangled by Ryan Gustin's turn-one challenge with four laps remaining, Jeremy Payne of Springfield, Mo., went on to survive a late challenge from ninth-row starter Tony Jackson Jr. of Lebanon, Mo., for a $5,000 payday in the second of two co-sanctioned weekend events at Salina. Polesitter Chad Simpson of Mount Vernon, Iowa, led the first 18 laps of the 40-lapper, but a flat tire knocked him out of contention and he ended up 10th.

Quotable: "Down there in (turns) three and four, you know, (Ryan Gustin) just had a good run and he is a hard racer, when five thousand is on the line you are going to race like that," winner Jeremy Payne said.

Key notes: Jackson actually took the lead in the waning laps, but a caution erased the move. ... In the pivotal moment of the race on the 36th lap, Ryan Gustin of Marshalltown, Iowa, tried to get under Payne but his car briefly climbed the left-rear of Payne's car, then spun while Payne was able to keep rolling. ... An early collision sent Friday's winner Terry Phillips of Springfield, Mo., into the backstretch wall to draw a caution; he salvaged a seventh-place finish. ... The two-race Freedom Classic was co-sanctioned by the MARS DIRTcar Series and the Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association.

On the move: Runner-up Tony Jackson Jr. came from the 18th starting spot after transferring through the consolation race.

Winner's sponsors: Payne's GRT Race Car is sponsored by Cliburn Tank Lines, Millard Family Chapels, Allgayer Inc., Lucas Oil Products and New Vision Graphics.

Points chase: Jackson entered the weekend atop the MARS standings while Simpson held the MLRA points lead.

Car count: 33

Polesitter: Chad Simpson

Heat race winners: Wendell Wallace, Ryan Gustin, Chad Simpson, Jeremy Payne

Consolation race winners: Jason Hughes, Tony Jackson Jr.

Next series race: July 11, Tri-City Speedway (Granite City, IL) $10,000