What won the race: Outdueling Earl Pearson Jr. in the final laps, sixth-starting Dillon McCowan of Urbana, Ill., captured Friday's Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association debut at Callaway Raceway to earn $5,000 and his first career MLRA victory. McCowan led the final four laps, taking the checkers a half-second ahead of Pearson.

Quotable: “I was getting a run on the top there and I knew (Pearson) was going to be glued to the bottom because it was definitely the fast way around the track,” McCowan said. “I would just get a good run and I’d hook it good through one and two and we would catch him down the backstretch and then I would have to whoa it up. Once we finally got clear of (lapped traffic) I was like it's either going to be wreckers or checkers now. I didn’t lift.”

Key notes: McCowan didn't arrive in victory lane until 10 minutes after the race because of a lengthy tech inspection. .... Runner-up Earl Pearson Jr., looking for his first victory since August 2022, led laps 9-26. ... McCowan has experience at the track while Pearson was making his debut. ... The caution-free 30-lapper lasted just eight minutes. ... Polesitter Chris Simpson finished third after leading the first eight laps. ... The event was originally scheduled for April 26 before being postponed by rain.

On the move: Trevor Gundaker of St. Charles, Mo., started 10th and finished sixth.

Winner's sponsors: McCowan’s Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Scott Bailey Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Sonic, BLC Transportation, Pomeroy Services, Empire Energy, McCowan Farms, Heritage Tractor, Elite Construction, VP Racing Fuels, Swift Springs, Bilstein Shocks and Midwest Sheet Metal.

Points chase: After Callaway 1. Chad Simpson (955); 2. Chris Simpson (940); 3. Gordy Gundaker (935); 4. Trevor Gundaker (865); 5. Dillon McCowan (860).

Current weather: Clear, 75°F

Car count: 31

Fast qualifier: Derrick Stewart

Time: 14.522 seconds

Polesitter: Chris Simpson

Heat race winners: Chris Simpson, Earl Pearson Jr., Derrick Stewart, Kyle Beard

Consolation race winners: Mason Oberkramer

Provisional starters: Aaron Marrant, Chance Mann, Rickey Frankel, Brennon Willard, Glen Powell

Next series race: June 8, Springfield Raceway (Springfield, MO) $5,000