What won the race: Third-starting Rodney Sanders of Happy, Texas, inherited the lead on lap 36 when race-long pacesetter Will Vaught of Crane, Mo., retired with a flat right-rear and went on to capture the 40-lap Freedom Classic. Sanders beat fourth-starting Jesse Stovall of Billings, Mo., to the finish line by 0.584 of a second to secure a $5,000 payday in the event co-sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Association and MARS DIRTcar Series.

Quotable: "We've been second here so many times it feels good to get a win," Sanders said. "I lost brakes there the last 20 laps. We've kind of struggled this year . I saw Will was going pretty hard there at the beginning. I could run with him a little bit, then I lost brakes and was just gonna ride. Luckily we held on for the win."

Key notes: Vaught started from the pole position and led until misfortune forced him to the pit area with just four laps remaining. ... Stovall chased Sanders for the final circuits but settled for second place, snapping his two-race MLRA win streak. ... Sanders earned his second career MLRA victory and first in MARS competition. ... Fourteen of the 24 starters finished the race.

Points chase: Entering the weekend, Stovall led the MLRA standings while Tony Jackson Jr. paced the MARS points.

Car count: 35

Polesitter: Will Vaught

Heat race winners: Tad Pospisil, Josh Hughes, Will Vaught, Ryan Gustin

Consolation race winners: Shannon  Scott, Jason Hughes

Next series race: July 7, State Fair Speedway (Sedalia, MO) $5,000