What won the race: Grabbing his first victory of the season, Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, came alive after a mid-race restart to overtake Billy Moyer, leading the final nine laps. Birkhofer was fifth on a lap-22 restart but quickly jumped into second and put the heat on Moyer before taking command on lap 32. Moyer, who took the lead from his second Billy Moyer Jr. on the third lap, finished 1.234 seconds behind.

Quotable: "On that restart, I'm like 'I hope Moyer picks the inside.' If he'd have picked the outside, you wouldn't be talking to me right now. I don't even know if I would've run top three," Birkhofer said. "It just kind of fell right where I needed to be anyway."

Key notes: The victory was Birkhofer's first since switching to a Rocket Chassis in the off-season. ... His only previous MARS victory came May 4, 2008, at Monett (Mo.) Speedway in a race co-sanctioned by the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. ... Randy Korte started sixth and made a late move to get third. ... Brian Shirley ran was high as third but faded after a mid-race restart. ... A lap-22 yellow appeared for a Dane Dacus flat tire. .... Bobby Pierce slowed with a flat tire for a lap-13 yellow and retired. ... The race paid tribute to late track announcer Mike Meurer.

On the move: Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., came from the 11th starting spot to finish fifth.

Winner's sponsors: Birkhofer's Rocket Chassis has a Pro Power Racing Engine and sponsorship from Ideal Ready Mix, Zen's Flooring, Cheap Cars, ASi Raceway, Moore Wireless, Quality Construction Services and McFarland Pain Clinic.

Points chase: Entering the race, reigning MARS champ Tony Jackson Jr. of Lebanon, Mo., had 608 points to lead Justin Asplin (573) and Jesse Stovall (534).

Car count: 28

Polesitter: Billy Moyer Jr.

Heat race winners: Billy Moyer Jr., Jesse Stovall, Billy Moyer, Brian Birkhofer

Consolation race winners: Michael Kloos