What won the race: Tony Jackson Jr. of Lebanon, Mo., led from flag-to-flag in dominating fashion to win Friday's 30-lap March Madness opener at Springfield Raceway. Earning $5,000 in the first Midwest LateModel Racing Association event held in 17 months, Jackson raced largely unchallenged in taking the checkers two seconds ahead of Clay Stuckey for his first victory of the 2026 season.

Quotable: “That’s all my guys — (crew chief) Tim (Douglas), (fellow Longhorn Chassis car owner) Kevin Rumley,” Jackson said. “We worked our butts off. We had a really bad start to the season and it was a long time coming.”

Key notes: Jackson notched his 17th career MLRA victory, his first since Aug. 31, 2024, when he earned $12,000 at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo. It was his first win of any kind since last Oct. 11's $10,000 Fall Nationals at Wheatland. ... Jackson rebounded from a Jan. 3 rollover accident in his first start of '26 at Arrowhead Speedway in Colcord, Okla. ... It was the first MLRA event since Oct. 11, 2024, at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Ill., a race won by Chris Simpson. The Midwest tour took the 2025 season off before being revived by Ernie Leftwich, previously the series director and now owner. ... Fourteenth-starting Clay Stuckey marched through the field and took second from Mike Spatola on the 19th lap but never challenged Jackson in the closing stages. ... Sixth-starting Eli Ross slipped by Spatola for third on lap 23 before Caden McWhorter grabbed fourth on the final circuit, relegating Spatola to fifth. ... Daniel Adam improved 12 positions to finish sixth. ... Timothy Culp, last year's March Madness winner in Comp Cams Series action, gained 11 spots to place ninth. ... The race was slowed by three cautions, the first when fourth-running Derrick Stewart slowed on lap four and retired. ... On lap 12 Kylan Garner spun from seventh in turn four, causing Jeff Herzog to spin to avoid contact. ... Steve Stultz spun in turn three on lap 13. ... The feature lasted 21 minutes with 13 starters completing 30 laps. ... Dayton Pursley retired on lap 12 and was credited with 22nd after receiving a provisional starting position courtesy of an online fan vote. ... Scott Crigler, Glen Powell and Dalton Imhoff were unable to qualify after a heat race incident. ... The two-day March Madness concludes Saturday with another 30-lap, $5,000-to-win program.

On the move: Dillon McCowan of Urbana, Mo., started 21st and finished seventh.

Winner's sponsors: Jackson’s Longhorn Chassis by VG Performance is powered by a Vic Hill Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Rob and Liz Schlup of Schlup Enterprises, Allgaier Performance, Merrill Bonding, Willard Quarries, Daly Construction, Chris Norris of Norris Logging, Springfield Raceway, Pink Carburetors, Multi-Fire Spark Plug Wires, Sunoco Race Fuels, Fox Racing Shox, Swift Springs, Wilwood Brakes, Deatherage Racing Optics and Icon Graphics & Apparel.

Points chase: After Springfield Friday: 1. Tony Jackson Jr. (250); 2. Clay Stuckey (230); 3. Eli Ross (220); 4. Caden McWhorter (210); 5. Mike Spatola (205).

Current weather: Clear, 57°F

Car count: 40

Fast qualifier: Mike Spatola

Time: 12.049 seconds

Polesitter: Tony Jackson Jr.

Heat race winners: Tony Jackson Jr., Derrick Stewart, Billy Moyer, Tyler Kuykendall

Consolation race winners: Sawyer Crigler, Clay Stuckey

Provisional starters: Dillon McCowan, Steve Stultz, Dayton Pursley

Next series race: March 14, Springfield Raceway (Springfield, MO) $5,000