What won the race: Racing through heavy traffic, fourth-starting Brian Shirley of Chatham, lll., used a third-to-first slide job exiting turn two to grab the lead from Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill. Shirley then kept polesitter Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, lll., at bay to capture a $5,000 UMP DIRTcar victory in Saturday night's Chuck Hamilton Memorial at Peoria Speedway.

Quotable: "You're on a little bullring. One minute it can be to your advantage, one minute it can be to your disadvantage," Shirley said. "When it was good for us there, we took good, and when it got a little tight, you just don't get too excited and keep hitting your marks. Then we were able to have a caution and we brought it home from there."

Key notes: Shirley won his second straight start; he was also triumphant on April 2 in a World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series event at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway. ... The Memorial race — held in honor of Chuck Hamilton, a former track owner who died in 2002 — kicked off Peoria's 2017 season. ... The track hosts two more $5,000-to-win UMP Late Model specials this season, one June 26 during the Summernationals and another on Sept. 30.

On the move: Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, lll., started seventh and finished fourth.

Winner's sponsors: Shirley's Bob Cullen Racing Longhorn Chassis is powered by an Andy Durham Racing Engine and sponsored by Arnie Ranta, Thomason Express, Kid's Castle Learning Center, Cheap Cars, Vallejo Inc., Skateland South, Popejoy Heating & Cooling, Jayco, and Kim's Autobody.

Points chase: Charlie Hess was Peoria's 2016 track champion.

Car count: 19

Fast qualifier: Frank Heckenast Jr.

Time: 11.460 seconds

Polesitter: Bobby Pierce

Heat race winners: Scott Schmitt, Brian Shirley