What won the race: Dominating all 40 laps from the front row, reigning MARS Late Model Championship titlist Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., bagged the $5,000 victory in Saturday’s inaugural Graves 40 at Charleston Speedway. He finished ahead of Rich Dawson and Mike Harrison in the middle event of the tour's tripleheader weekend in the Land of Lincoln.

Quotable: “It’s good to be back here,” Unzicker said. “A lot of fans — you guys packed the place. I kind of wish it wouldn’t have rubbered up. It would’ve been a helluva good show.”

Key notes: Unzicker registered his sixth career MARS triumph and grabbed the circuit's points lead. ... Dawson advanced five positions to claim the runner-up spot. ... Mike Harrison gained three spots and finished third. ... Tommy Sheppard Jr. started eighth and finished fourth. ... Jason Feger, the series point leader entering the night and Friday's winner at Kankakee County Speedway, never contended and finished 15th. … Pole-starting Blaze Burwell finished 11th after getting turned around on lap seven. … The MARS weekend tripleheader concludes with Sunday’s $5,000-to-win show at Adams County Speedway.

On the move: Rodney Melvin of Benton, Ill., started 19th and finished fifth.

Winner's sponsors: Unzicker’s MB Customs Race Car has a Pro Power Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from RJR Transportation, Brucker Farms, Mosquito Hero, Fairbury Fastener & Supply, Larimer Cows & Calves, Absolute Home Repair & Remodeling, Gary Miller’s Classic Auto, El Paso Outdoor Center, Unzicker Equipment, Renegade Fuels and Aftershock Decals & Design, Konstruction Services, Pro Tire and Automotive, Mackinac Valley Powder Coating, Logan Smith Collectibles, Clean It Up 843 Pressure Washing Professionals, A Solution HVAC & Construction, Budda Bert, Dirtcarlift, Keyser Manufacturing, All Star performance, NAPA El Paso, Action Suspension and Varsitee Screenprinting.

Points chase: After Charleston: 1. Ryan Unzicker (294); 2. Jason Feger (279); 3. Mike Harrison (264); 4. Brandon Sheppard (215); 5. Rich Dawson (212).

Current weather: Clear, 61°F

Car count: 29

Fast qualifier: Dillon McCowan

Time: 14.488 seconds

Polesitter: Blaze Burwell

Heat race winners: Dillon McCowan, Ryan Unzicker, Blaze Burwell

Provisional starters: Doug Tye, Brian Diveley

Next series race: May 21, Adams County Speedway (Quincy, IL) $5,000