What won the race: Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., led all the way Saturday at Fairbury American Legion Speedway for a $5,000 victory co-sanctioned by the Sunoco American Late Model Series and Corn Belt Clash. Mars turned back challenges from Chris Simpson in taking the checkers ahead of Simpson and track champ Kevin Weaver.

Quotable: "The track was a lot blacker than what it usually has been I guess," Mars said. "To come out with a win, that's good. I didn't know if I'd win another one here or not, but it worked out good."

Key notes: Mars returned to victory lane at Fairbury for the first time since the 2009 Prairie Dirt Classic. ... He won his second consecutive start, piggybacking on an Aug. 30 Corn Belt Clash win at Oshokosh (Wis.) Speedzone Raceway. ... A lap-two slowdown occurred when Mark Rose, Kyle Logue, Cole Swibold and others were part of a turn-three pileup. ... Daniel Flessner and Dave Fieber had a turn-two tangle before halfway. ... Flessner was later involved in a turn-three crash with Steve Thorsten and another driver. ... Late Models were on the undercard of the Casey's Modified Nationals paying $10,000-to-win for a 50-lap modified event on the American Modified Series won by Clayton Miller.

On the move: Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., started 12th and finished fourth.

Winner's sponsors: Mars's MB Customs machine has a Pro Power Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Baleigh Industrial, Deppe Enterprises, Joe Provo Racewear, Keyes Chevytown, Mars Race Cars, Moore Wireline, S&S Transport, Tim's Automotive and T.L. Sinz Plumbing.

Points chase: Ryan Unzicker (ALMS) and Chad Simpson (Corn Belt Clash) entered the weekend as points leaders, but neither entered at Fairbury.

Car count: 31

Fast qualifier: Daren Friedman

Polesitter: Scott Bull

Heat race winners: Scott Bull, Jimmy Mars, Jason Feger, Chris Simpson

Next series race: September 6, Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH) $3,000