What won the race: Executing a textbook slider and clearing race-long leader Rusty Schlenk out of turn four, pole-starting Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., paced the final 26 circuits to win Friday's seventh annual Dan Salay Memorial at Merritt Speedway. Unzicker's $3,000 payday marked his his fourth overall victory of the season.

Quotable: “Rusty (Schlenk) fired off strong, I knew he was gonna be tough, obviously,” Unzicker said. “He just maybe faded a little bit, I’m not sure, but obviously I got a little lucky with that (lap-17) caution when I passed him in lapped traffic. That’s what racing is about, a little give-and-take and a little luck on our side tonight.”

Key notes: Second-starting Schlenk, of McClure, Ohio, led the opening 15 laps before hopping the turn-four cushion and giving way to Unzicker and finishing 1.750 seconds back. Schlenk nearly regained control on the following lap before the race's first caution was displayed for a three-car tangle involving Jacob Poel, Greg Gokey and Cody Bauer. All three continued. ... The second stoppage came on lap 22 when seventh-running Chad Finley slowed abruptly and left the turn-four racing surface before limping his car to the pits. ... The third and final yellow flag was displayed on the 28th lap for a frontstretch spin involving Joe Pomeroy and Zack Swarts. Neither driver continued. ... Friday's Dan Salay Memorial honored Salay, a former racer and longtime crew chief for Brandon Thirlby who died in 2017 after a short bout with cancer. Thirlby was the race's first retiree on lap 21. ... The main event lasted 25 minutes, with 14 drivers completing 40 laps and 17 running at the checkers.

On the move: Jacob Poel of Spring Lake, Mich., started 15th and finished eighth; David Hilliker of Midland, Mich., started 16th and finished ninth.

Winner's sponsors: Unzicker’s MB Customs Race Car has a Pro Power Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from RJR Transportation, Brucker Farms, Low Voltage Solutions (LVS), Mosquito Hero, Fairbury Fastener & Supply, Larimer Cows & Calves, Absolute Home Repair & Remodeling, Gary Miller’s Classic Auto, El Paso Outdoor Center, Big City Automotive, Arkansas Septic Plumbing, Unzicker Equipment, Konstruction Services, Pro Tire and Automotive, Mackinaw Valley Powder Coating, Logan Smith Collectibles, Clean It Up 843 Pressure Washing Professionals, A Solution HVAC & Construction, Bert by Budda Transmissions, DirtcarLift.com, Keyser Manufacturing, NAPA El Paso, Fuel Factory, Varsitee Screenprint and Aftershock Decals & Design.

Points chase: Track points after Friday: 1. Greg Gokey (202); 2. Brandon Thirlby (198); 3. Eric Spangler (176); 4. Rylee Knoll (176); 5. Chad Finley (119).

Current weather: Clear, 73°F

Car count: 41

Fast qualifier: Ryan Unzicker

Time: 14.291 seconds

Polesitter: Ryan Unzicker

Heat race winners: Dona Marcoullier, Rusty Schlenk, Ryan Unzicker, Greg Gokey, Jeff Erickson Jr.

Consolation race winners: David Hilliker, Brandon Thirlby

Provisional starters: Dan Wallace, Joe Pomeroy