What won the race: Earning the richest payday in Lake Cumberland Speedway history, Josh Rice of Verona, Ky., pocketed $12,472 for leading all but one lap of Saturday’s 11th annual Harold Hardgrove Memorial. Rice, who started outside the front row and ran virtually unchallenged, earned $10,022 from the Valvoline Iron-Man Racing Series purse and another $2,450 in lap money at the track honoring its late owner.

Quotable: “I threaded the needle there a little bit there off (turn) two and got by Victor,” Rice said. “I just kind of stayed right there. I kept getting good leads and I got to where I could finally start steering a little bit better. Whenever I can get this car to steer, we’ve got it. Rocket Chassis killed it with this one."

Key notes: The high-flying Rice notched his eighth overall victory of the season and second with Chris Tilley's Iron-Man organization. ... His tensest moment came on the last lap when he made slight contact with Logan Walls while negotiating three slower cars as runner-up Zack Dohm drew closer. ... Dohm finished less than a second behind Rice. ... Victor Lee led the first lap but ran third most of the way. ... Alabama driver Sam Seawright finished fifth in his Lake Cumberland debut. ... A midrace caution appeared when Rod Carter Jr. got into the backstretch wall, spun on the backstretch and collected Tommy Bailey. ... A dozen drivers completed the 50-lap distance. ... Ricky Weiss, last weekend's Iron-Man winner at Richmond (Ky.) Raceway, retired after one lap. ... The event honored former track owner and promoter, the father of current track owner Brandon Hardgrove.

On the move: Michael Chilton of Salvisa, Ky., started 19th and finished ninth.

Winner's sponsors: Rice’s Rick Jones-owned Rocket Chassis is powered by a Jay Dickens Racing Engine and sponsored by Sunesis Construction, Blox Spiked Ice, Extreme Sportswear, ATC Bolts & Fasteners, Maxwell Trucking, AirMax Heating and Cooling, Integra Shocks, Accu-Force Dynos & Testers, Schaeffer’s Oil and Slicker Graphics.

Points chase: Southern division points before Lake Cumberland: 1. Michael Chilton (947); 2. Eli Beets (747); 3. Stacy Boles (535); 4. Ricky Weiss (457); 5. Dakotah Knuckles (390). Northern division points before Lake Cumberland: 1. Michael Chilton (678); 2. Austin Lay (463); 3. Eli Beets (440); 4. Kirk Phillips (407); 5. Camaron Marlar (349).

Current weather: Clear, 73°F

Car count: 33

Fast qualifier: Josh Rice

Time: 12.984 seconds

Polesitter: Victor Lee

Heat race winners: Victor Lee, Josh Rice, Sam Seawright, Zack Dohm

Consolation race winners: A.J. Hicks, Tommy Bailey

Next series race: September 2, Ponderosa Speedway (Junction City, KY) $10,000