What won the race: David Mielke of Gladwin, Mich., overtook Logan Arntz for the lead on lap 25 and marched on to a convincing first-ever American Ethanol Late Model Tour victory in Friday night's Battle of Speed 40 at I-96 Speedway. He pocketed the race's $4,000 top prize after beating Jeep Van Wormer to the finish line by a commanding margin of 3.918 seconds.

Quotable: "This feels really good. We've been the bridesmaid I don't know how many times last year and even some this year," Mielke said. "I just can't thank everyone that helps me enough."

Key notes: Mielke became the eighth different winner in as many AELMT events this season. ... Arntz, who led laps 11-24, slipped to fourth at the finish. He scored his first-ever AELMT triumph in the circuit's last race, on June 22 at Thunderbird Raceway in Muskegon, Mich. ... Van Wormer passed Arntz for second on lap 26 but couldn't stick with Mielke late... Polesitter Travis Stemler had led every circuit of the feature when he went over the turn-three berm on lap 10. He spun two laps later trigger another caution and finished ninth. ... The race's first caution flag flew on lap four when sixth-running Brandon Thirlby slowed in turn three. ... The series made its first of two trips this season to I-96; April 19 and May 24 visits rained out.

On the move: Chad Finley of Dewitt, Mich., started 13th and finished third.

Winner's sponsors: Mielke's Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Don's Auto Clinic, Warner Farms, Macon Marine Center, Highpoint, B.E. Motorsports and Thirlby Automotive.

Points chase: Brandon Thirlby (467 points) of Traverse City, Mich., entered the event leading Travis Stemler (422), Logan Arntz (402), Rich Bell (383) and Rusty Schlenk (334).

Current weather: Mostly Cloudy, 80°F

Car count: 17

Fast qualifier: Logan Arntz

Time: 16.247 seconds

Polesitter: Travis Stemler

Heat race winners: Rich Bell, Travis Stemler

Next series race: July 5, Merritt Speedway (Lake City, MI) $0