What won the race: Keeping a threatening Bobby Pierce at bay late amid lapped traffic, Mike Spatola of Manhattan, Ill., on Friday recorded his second straight MARS Racing Series victory at Farmer City Raceway. He collected $10,000 while outrunning Pierce and Shannon Babb for his flag-to-flag score in the 40-lapper.

Key notes: Spatola captured his sixth victory of the season and the third of his career career in MARS action. It was a repeat win with the tour after pocketing the $5,000 Big Daddy Scrap 40 at Kankakee (Ill.) County Speedway on Aug. 19. … McKay Wenger of Fairbury, Ill., threw a oil pump belt in time trials that forced him to scratch from the remainder of the program; he reported afterward that the engine trouble would likely end his 2022 season. … The series heads to Fairbury for a $10,000-to-win show on Saturday and wraps up the Labor Day weekend on Sunday at Spoon River Speedway with the finale paying $5,000 to the winner.

On the move: Frank Heckenast Jr. of Frankfort, Ill., started 12th and finished fifth.

Winner's sponsors: Spatola’s Rocket Chassis is powered by a Custom Race Engine and sponsored by Big Daddy Scrap, B&D Chemical, Steve’s Performance, TJS Mechanical, Illinois State Rifle Association, V.R. Haag Consulting and Allstar Performance.

Points chase: Before Farmer City: 1. Ryan Unzicker (589); 2. Jason Feger (572); 3. McKay Wenger (478); 4. Bob Gardner (407); 5. Mike Spatola (329).

Current weather: Clear, 68°F

Car count: 32

Fast qualifier: Mike Spatola

Time: 12.303 seconds

Polesitter: Mike Spatola

Heat race winners: Mike Spatola, Bobby Pierce, Taylor Scheffler, Myles Moos

Next series race: September 3, Fairbury Speedway (Fairbury, IL) $10,000