What won the race: Staving off mid-race challenges from Garrett Alberson, pole-starting Tyler Erb of New Waverly, Texas, led all 40 laps of Thursday's $5,000 Hawkeye Land 40 in the Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association debut at Cedar County Raceway. The second-starting Alberson cut Erb's lead as little as 0.130 of a second on lap 18 before Erb stretched his margin to 2.635 seconds at the checkers.

Quotable: “I seen Garrett underneath me a couple times and pretty much was like ‘I gotta go’ and get cleared of these lapped cars,” Erb said. “I had to make good decisions in traffic and I was kinda fortunate they were all on the bottom, so it left the top wide open for me. I had a terrible week last week (at Eldora) and to come back and win just feels really good.”

Key notes: Erb's second career MLRA victory is his second of the season (he won May 5 at Adams County Speedway in Quincy, Ill.). ... Erb earned $500 for fast time from Pit Crew BBQ. ... Sixth-starting Frank Heckenast Jr. finished third for his sixth podium finish in touring competition over the last 24 months. ... Chris Simpson gained nine spots and placed fourth aboard his backup car. Jason Rauen was scheduled to pilot Simpson's backup and qualified seventh in the first group before Simpson took over the ride after trouble with his primary. ... Dillon McCowan challenged Alberson for second in the early going before fading to finish sixth, regaining the spot from Dylan Thornton on the final lap. ... Reigning MLRA champ Chad Simpson improved nine positions and finished eighth after breaking a rear end during time trials and transferring through the consolation. ... The race was slowed by four cautions, the first requiring a 15-minute red flag for cleanup after Daniel Hilsabeck spun from 10th on the opening start, collecting Curt Schroeder and Jim Vanzandt, among others. Schroeder's car ended up coming to rest atop the front of Vanzandt's car. ... Vanzandt was the only driver unable to continue, while Schroeder pulled off on lap 15. ... Matt Ryan slowed on the ensuing restart and required a push to the pits. ... Solo spins by Tim Simpson caused the third and fourth stoppages. ... The race lasted 35 minutes, with nine drivers completing 40 laps and 18 running at the finish. ... Frequent track winner Justin Kay was among non-qualifiers.

On the move: Tony Jackson Jr. of Lebanon, Mo., started 15th and finished fourth.

Winner's sponsors: Erb’s winning Best Performance Motorsports Rocket Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Langenfelder Mechanical Contractors, Bulk Material Lift, First Class Septic, Roberts Bee Company, Anthony’s Pizza, JRR Trucking, Base Racing Fuel, Base Oil, Sani-Weld, Inc., Keyser Manufacturing, Integra Racing Shocks, Go Lithium Batteries, Midwest Sheet Metal, Terbo Threads and KBC Graphix.

Points chase: After Cedar County: 1. Chad Simpson (2,065); 2. Tony Jackson Jr. (1,925); 3. Chris Simpson (1,915); 4. Dillon McCowan (1,865); 5. Gordy Gundaker (1,700).

Current weather: Clear, 66°F

Car count: 29

Fast qualifier: Tyler Erb

Time: 13.145 seconds

Polesitter: Tyler Erb

Heat race winners: Tyler Erb, Jeff Herzog, Garrett Alberson, Dillon McCowan

Consolation race winners: Chad Simpson

Provisional starters: David Webster, Tim Simpson

Next series race: September 13, Davenport Speedway (Davenport, IA) $5,000