What won the race: Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., charged from 14th to sweep by Jason Feger on lap 25 before leading the remainder of Saturday's 40-lap Garry Swibold Memorial at Peoria Speedway. Unzicker beat Feger to the line by 1.750 seconds for his third straight $5,098 Swibold Memorial payday and his 12th career MARS Championship Series victory.

Quotable: “I suck at qualifying, that’s basically where it’s at. I’ve started in the back many a times, last year I think I started 12th and came up and won,” Unzicker said. “I’m just glad they watered the top cause it gave an extra lane, ya know. I made an adjustment tonight that I’ve never done before in this Longhorn and I think it paid dividends right there. … I needed (the win) really, you guys know this sport’s expensive and this is what keeps me going right here, to be able to come and still put it in victory lane.”

Key notes: Unzicker earned his first victory of the season and his first MARS triumph since Aug. 24, 2024, a $5,000 series stop at Red Hill Raceway in Sumner, Ill. ... It's Unzicker's seventh career Peoria special going back to May 14, 2016, earning more than $37,000 over that span. ... Fourth-starting Jason Feger led once for 18 laps (7-24) before giving way to Unzicker and settling for second. ... Mike Spatola led laps 2-6 before slipping to third. ... Justin Duty led the opening lap and finished fourth. ... Tony Jackson Jr. slowed to draw the race's first caution on lap 19; he rebounded to finish 11th after pitting. ... Fifth-starting Shannon Babb worked his way as high as second before breaking a rear end and slowing to bring out the second and final stoppage on lap 24. Billy Moyer also retired under the lap-24 yellow. ... Mike McKinney finished 13th in his first Late Model start since May 14, 2021; he was the final starter to complete 40 laps. ... Cole Swibold of Fairview, Ill., failed to qualify for the 17-minute feature in the event that honors his late father; Kevin Weaver, Jeff Herzog and Cam Gardner were among other notable non-qualifiers.

On the move: Race winner Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., started 14th.

Winner's sponsors: Unzicker’s Longhorn Chassis has a Pro Power Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from RJR Transportation, Brucker Farms, Low Voltage Solutions, 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 Pressure Washing Professionals, A Solution HVAC & Construction, Bert by Budda Transmissions, DirtcarLift.com, Keyser Manufacturing, NAPA El Paso, Fuel Factory, Varsitee Screenprint, Bilstein Shocks and Fuel Factory.

Points chase: After Peoria: 1. Bobby Pierce (370); 2. Brian Shirley (292); 3. Brandon Sheppard (280); 4. Jason Feger (277); 5. Dennis Erb Jr. (273).

Current weather: Clear, 57°F

Car count: 30

Fast qualifier: Allen Weisser

Time: 12.092 seconds

Polesitter: Justin Duty

Heat race winners: Allen Weisser, Justin Duty, Mike Spatola

Consolation race winners: Brayton Wallace

Provisional starters: Tony Jackson Jr., Steve Stultz

Next series race: May 16, Quincy Raceway (Quincy, IL) $5,000