What won the race: Will Vaught of Crane, Mo., dominated the opener of the sixth annual ARMI Freedom Classic, leading all 30 laps of Friday night's feature at Salina Highbanks Speedway to capture the event co-sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Association and Comp Cams Super Dirt Series. He beat Jesse Stovall to the finish line by 1.443 seconds for the $3,000 top prize and snapped Chad Simpson's three-race MLRA win streak.

Quotable: "Leading the race early I didn't know where to be and I saw (Chad Simpson's car's) nose there a couple of times and I'm like, 'Gosh dang it.' We were pretty good through the center on the bottom, it was just too black on the exit," Vaught said. "That momentum (in turn two) was pretty good, we were just trying to roll around there and got a little gap, so I just tried to keep my tires under me. A couple of years ago we led 39 laps and then had a flat coming to the white. That was $5,000 that year, so they at least owe me $3,000 tonight."

Key notes: Surviving two early caution flags, Vaught registered his third MLRA triumph of 2019 and the 16th of his career. It was his first-ever win on the Comp Cams tour. ... Chad Simpson's three-race MLRA win streak came to an end as he finished third after running second for the race's first six laps. ... Stovall drew alongside Vaught with seven laps remaining, but Vaught fought off the challenge; Stovall then didn't force the issue, refraining from trying a go-for-broke move with another night of racing ahead of him. ... The Freedom Classic concludes Saturday with a $5,000-to-win A-main.

On the move: Hunter Rasdon of Jonesboro, Ark., advanced eight positions to finish 10th.

Winner's sponsors: Vaught's Rocket Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Johnson's Service Station, Mad Mal Trucking and GW Performance.

Points chase: Will Vaught (1,138 points) of Crane, Mo., entered the weekend leading the MLRA tour ahead of Mitch McGrath (1,091) and Logan Martin (1,065); Tony Jackson Jr. (920 points) of Lebanon, Mo., topped Kyle Beard (780) and Hunter Rasdon (765) in the Comp Cams standings.

Current weather: Clear, 77°F

Car count: 29

Polesitter: Will Vaught

Heat race winners: Jon Mitchell, Will Vaught, Scott Crigler, Chad Simpson

Consolation race winners: Terry Phillips

Provisional starters: Brian Rickman, David Payne, Chad Mallett

Next series race: June 29, Salina Highbanks Speedway (Salina, OK) $5,000