What won the race: Second-starting Dustin Elliott of Pine Mountain, Ga., led all 40 laps to win Sunday's $7,500 unsanctioned 602 Crate Late Model portion of the 51st annual Alabama State Championships at East Alabama Motor Speedway. Elliott fended off challenges from ninth-starting Josh Taylor in the closing laps to win by 0.661 of a second.

Quotable: “We’ve been waiting on one of these for a long time,” Elliott said. “To finally be able to win us a state race in this 16 car, it means the world to us. I mean, I’d love for it to be Morgan (Sheffield) in here, cause that boy, he had a lot of potential. He was a great kid. I don’t know, I’m at a loss for words. Danny over here, trusting me with (the car), backing me 100 percent even when we were struggling. We’ve been on a little roll here lately and I hope we can keep it up.”

Key notes: Fourteenth-starting Wiley McDaniel moved into third on lap 19 and battled Taylor for second in the closing laps, before rounding-out the podium. ... Jackson Thomasson ran as high as second prior to halfway before fading to finish fifth. ... Allen Styck improved 11 positions and finished sixth. ... After slowing with a flat tire while running third on lap 18, Cole Exum rebounded to finish seventh. ... Jake Traylor gained six spots and finished ninth. ... Second-running Matt Dooley drew the race's fifth and final caution when he slowed on lap 19 before pulling off. ... Tyler Sanders brought out the fourth caution when he spun and made heavy contact with the turn-four wall on lap 17. ... Pat Wall spun and left the racing surface in turn two to draw the race's third yellow on lap 15. ... Solo-spins from Cass Fowler (lap one) and Taylor Cole (lap two) also slowed racing action. ... Pole-starting Nathan Bray stopped under the lap-two caution while running second and required a push back to the pits. ... Sunday's 40-lap feature lasted 34 minutes, with 10 drivers completing the distance and 12 running at the finish.

On the move: Booger Brooks of Chattanooga, Tenn., started 16th and finished fourth.

Winner's sponsors: Elliott’s Longhorn Chassis carries sponsorship from Tim Elliott Construction, Locke Logging, Sheffield Trucking, Brush Works Forestry Mulching, Mo’s Creations, Whistling Pig Cafe, Montana Dudley Racing, Paul Smith Fabrication and Fox Racing Shox.

Current weather: Clear, 82°F

Car count: 43

Fast qualifier: Dustin Elliott

Time: 15.505 seconds

Polesitter: Nathan Bray

Consolation race winners: Allen Styck, Dustin Diem