What won the race: Fifth-starting Brandon Thirlby of Traverse City, Mich., overtook outside front-row starter Eric Spangler amid traffic with four laps remaining Saturday at Merritt Speedway for a $2,000 victory on the Sunoco American Late Model Series. Spangler, who led the first 32 laps, finished third behind Thirlby and polesitter Rich Neiser.

Key notes: Thirlby notched his third career ALMS victory while denying Spangler his first. ... A lap-15 red flag slowed the action after a pileup in turns one and two. ... Dona Marcoullier set fast time and finished second in a heat race, but he scratched for the night with engine problems. ... Other Sunoco American Late Model Series competitors were in action Saturday at Fairbury (Ill.) American Legion Speedway for a $10,000-to-win event claimed by Kevin Weaver of Gibson City, Ill.

Winner's sponsors: Thirlby's Doug Finley-owned Rocket Chassis is sponssored by Northside Towing, Thirlby Automotive, Neail's Truck Parts and Allstar Performance.

Points chase: Entering the weekend, Rusty Schlenk of McClure, Ohio, had 654 points to lead Ryan Unzicker (632) and Rich Bell (581).

Car count: 25

Fast qualifier: Dona Marcoullier

Polesitter: Rich Neiser

Heat race winners: Rich Neiser, Eric Spangler, Chad  Foster

Consolation race winners: Greg Gokey

Next series race: September 4, Farmer City Raceway (Farmer City, IL) $5,000