What won the race: Polesitter Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa, notched his first career MARS DIRTcar Series victory Saturday at Springfield Raceway with a $3,000 West division success over fellow front-row starter Tim Manville of Highland, Ill.

Quotable: "It's a fun little joint, you know. The bottom was really there pretty much the whole race — it was good early in the heats," Simpson said. "I figured (Jesse) Stovall would be coming on the top, but it must've never got going that good."

Key notes: Simpson joins his brother Chad (four victories) as a MARS winner. His first win of the season follows three runner-up finishes and a third-place finish during January's Wild West Shootout at Arizona Speedway. ... Jesse Stovall grabbed second on a restart but runner-up Tim Manville regained the second spot. ... Simpson originally planned to spend the weekend racing at Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway in a MARS East/Lucas Oil Series doubleheader, but both shows were scratched due to bad weather. ... Reigning MARS champion Tony Jackson Jr. finished ninth. ... The track paid tribute to the late Patrick Johnson, the former Springfield racer and Jetmore, Kan., track owner who died last month.

On the move: Jack Sullivan of Greenbrier, Ark., started ninth and finished third.

Winner's sponsors: Simpson's Longhorn Chassis is sponsored by Five Star Shop Service, Cheap Cars, Advanced Machine & Tool, Randy Davidson Trucking, Chase Decals, Simpson Farms, IITI, Genius Tools, Milwaukee, Bill Bryant Trucking and Lucas Oil.

Points chase: After Springfield, Tony Jackson Jr. (184) leads Scott Crigler (178) and Austin Rettig (162) in MARS West points.

Car count: 23

Next series race: March 24, La Salle Speedway (LaSalle, IL) $7,000