What won the race: Series points leader Brandon Thirlby of Traverse City, Mich., dominated Friday’s 40-lap American Ethanol Model Tour-sanctioned Corn Growers 40 at Hartford Speedway. Holding off Logan Arntz and Rusty Schlenk after a late-race restart, Thirlby bagged $4,000 for his fourth career series victory.

Quotable: "We're definitely starting to dial it in," Thirlby said. "I've (got to) thank Bill and Josie Schlieper at Pro Power (Racing Engines). I mean, those restarts, I couldn't hear anybody. They're (signalling) like I've got a big lead in one lap. That things just unreal. It's an animal."

Key notes: The second-starting Thirlby dodged a bullet on the eighth lap when he spun into a multicar pileup in turn three; he was restored to the lead after the incident triggered by contact between Dave Baker and Mike Spatola. .... Thirlby led uncontested until a handful of cautions in the final five circuits bunched the field. ... Ryan Missler was up to second on lap 37 when he tangled with the lapped car of Shawn Reed between turns three and foru; Missler was part of a tangle on the ensuing restart and retired in 16th. ... Runner-up Logan Arnt had a career-best series finish. ... David Mielke got up to third early but slipped back to finish seventh. ... Rich Bell retired after spinning entering turn three with three laps remaining while running seventh. ... Polesitter Brett Miller dropped out of the top five after six laps and ended up a lap down in 12th. ... The series returns to Hartford on Sept. 14.

On the move: Devin Shiels of Britton, Mich., started 16th and finished sixth.

Winner's sponsors: Thirlby's Rocket Chassis has a Ford Pro Power Racing Engine and sponsorship from Thirlby Automotive, Corrigan Race Fuels, FK Rod Ends and KBC Graphix.

Points chase: Brandon Thirlby extended his series points lead over Travis Stemler and Rich Bell.

Current weather: Clear, 63°F

Car count: 22

Fast qualifier: Brandon Thirlby

Time: 16.343 seconds

Polesitter: Brett Miller

Heat race winners: Ryan Missler, Casey Noonan, Dave Baker

Next series race: July 5, Merritt Speedway (Lake City, MI) $5,000