What won the race: Overtaking early leader Shannon Babb with a turn-three slider, pole-starting Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., survived a green-white-checkered finish to win Friday's 40-lap 14th annual Jr. Kimler Memorial at Farmer City Raceway. Shirley led all but the opening two laps to take the checkers 0.897 of a second ahead of Babb, earning $5,000 and notching his 22nd career MARS Series victory — his first since winning $5,000 at the same track on Sept. 2, 2021.

Quotable: “(I) just can’t thank all my guys enough,” Shirley said. “All the people, I know I don’t remember everybody that I should, but I gotta thank my wife, my kids and my Dad for letting me do this. Everybody that helps us, thank you very much.”

Key notes: Second-starting Babb, who led the opening two laps, regained the runner-up spot from Ryan Unzicker with a last-lap slider in turn three. Seventh-starting Unzicker settled for third. ... Jason Feger's fourth-place finish boosts him to the series points lead. ... Jake Little advanced four positions and rounded out the top five. ... Former series points leader Allen Weisser improved six spots and placed 13th. ... Eleventh-starting Frank Heckenast Jr. moved as high as third before slowing from fifth with an apparent flat tire on the final lap, drawing the race's lone stoppage. He went straight to the pits and did not return. ... Trey Mills pulled off from 19th on lap 34. ... The 40-lap feature lasted just shy of 14 minutes, with six competitors completing the distance and 15 running at the checkers.

On the move: Justin Duty of Molalla, Ore., started 13th and finished eighth.

Winner's sponsors: Shirley’s Bob Cullen Racing Longhorn Chassis is powered by an Andy Durham Racing Engine and sponsored by Thomason Express, Hoker Trucking, J&J Ventures Gaming, Kid’s Castle Learning Center, KBC Graphics, Cheap Cars, Bass Livestock Nutrition, Allgaier Motorsports, East Central Coin, Cheers and Integra Shocks.

Points chase: After Farmer City: 1. Jason Feger (303); 2. Allen Weisser (295); 3. Ryan Unzicker (270); 4. Bob Gardner (264); 5. Kye Blight (244).

Current weather: Clear, 70°F

Car count: 35

Fast qualifier: Brian Shirley

Time: 12.494 seconds

Polesitter: Brian Shirley

Heat race winners: Brian Shirley, Shannon Babb, Jason Feger, Mike Spatola

Consolation race winners: Brandon Eskew, Aaron Marrant

Provisional starters: Bob Gardner, Kye Blight

Next series race: July 20, Federated Raceway at I-55 (Pevely, MO) $5,000