What won the race: Inheriting the lead when Tony Jackson Jr. of Lebanon, Mo., retired with a flat tire, Kyle Beard of Trumann, Ark., pulled away to score his first career MARS DIRTcar Series victory at Springfield Raceway. He collected $2,500.

Quotable: “I’ve won races and championships already in my career, but for the first time, right now I feel like we are contender just about anywhere that we unload,” Beard said. “My dad and my crew are giving me a great car every night, so I really want to thank them.”

Key notes: Beard picked up his third victory of his 2016 campaign; he previously recorded a pair of wins on the Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series. ... The winning purse was bumped up to $2,500 (from the $2,000 originally announced). ... Springfield's March 19 MARS date rained out; the tour is set to return on Sept. 17. ... Springfield was recently added the UMP DIRTcar Summernationals schedule with a June 30 date paying $5,000-to-win.

Winner's sponsors: Beard's Black Diamond Chassis is powered by a Kuntz & Co. Engine and sponsored by Gary Beard Trucking, Rockhard Powder Coating, Terry Phillips Racing, Team 5 Enterprise, Real Wheels, O.H. Hendricks and Xtreme Race Graphics.

Points chase: Entering the event, Tony Jackson Jr. of Lebanon, Mo., had 608 points to lead Payton Looney (494) and Justin Asplin (491).

Car count: 24

Heat race winners: Tony Jackson Jr., Brandon McCormick, Josh Hughes, Jesse Stovall

Consolation race winners: Leroy Johnson

Provisional starters: Jacob Magee, Scott Crigler

Next series race: May 29, Monett Speedway (Monett, MO) $3,000