What won the race: Second-starting Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa, repelled race-long challenges from Tony Jackson Jr. to secure a flag-to-flag victory in Friday's 30-lap MLRA Championship Night feature at Tri-City Speedway. Simpson sped to a $7,000 payday for his third Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association triumph of the season and first away from Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo.

Quotable: “We did what we had to do, I told Chad (Simpson) on the way here last night, after our run last night it was right around the top, I said ‘well we might as well rip the deck out of it tonight, we got all winter to fix it,’” Simpson said. “We were up there, I knew those guys were coming up and struggling through those holes, but I finally moved down a little on entry and then could slide through it. I knew if I did that and hit the exit, I’d be fine.”

Key notes: Chris Simpson earned his 19th career MLRA victory. ... The pole-starting Jackson pressured Simpson for much of the race before settling for runner-up honors. Simpson edged Jackson by 15 points for second in the final standings. ... Chad Simpson, the winner's older brother finished third to clinch his third straight and fifth career MLRA championship. The title will bring him a $20,000 check. ... Gordy Gundaker ran in fourth for the first 11 laps before pulling off on lap 12. He was credited with 11th at the track owned and promoted by his parents Kevin and Tammy Gundaker. ... Rickey Frankel took advantage of Gundaker's misfortune on the lap-12 restart to move forward and finish fourth. ... Tenth-starting Aaron Marrant finished fifth, officially clinching the 2024 MLRA Rookie of the Year honors. ... Allan Middendorf improved seven positions and rounded out the top 10 in his Late Model debut. ... The race was slowed by four cautions, the final one coming on lap 12 when 12th-running Billy Laycock faltered and called it a night. ... Jeff Herzog and Dustin Hodges tangled on a lap-eight restart attempt while battling for sixth. Hodges pulled off while Herzog continued to finish seventh. ... Kayden Clatt spun from fifth and struck an infield tire in turn four, ending his race on lap eight. ... Scott Geaschel spun to draw the race's first stoppage on lap four. ... Adam Tischauser scratched.

On the move: Rickey Frankel of Quincy, Ill., started 12th and finished fourth.

Winner's sponsors: Simpson’s Longhorn Chassis is powered by an Andy Durham Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Larry Davidson Trucking, Hot Rod Septic Treatment, Hoker Trucking, C&J Trucking, Robert Mitchell at RLM Enterprises, Factory CS Lifestyle Brand, Swift Springs, Speedwerx Performance Exhaust and Capital Race Decals.

Points chase: Final: 1. Chad Simpson (3,455); 2. Chris Simpson (3,385); 3. Tony Jackson Jr. (3,370); 4. Trevor Gundaker (2,940; 5. Dillon McCowan (2,935).

Current weather: Clear, 66°F

Car count: 20

Fast qualifier: Kayden Clatt

Time: 14.844 seconds

Polesitter: Tony Jackson Jr.

Heat race winners: Tony Jackson Jr., Chris Simpson, Chad Simpson