What won the race: Chad Simpson of Mount Vernon, Iowa, took advantage of his outside front-row starting position to lead all 40 laps in a $3,000 Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association payday at Cresco Speedway.

Quotable: "I knew they were going to have a hard time trying to get by — not because that the track wasn't really wide, but there was that black strip in there and as long as you kept it in that black strip and rolled up on the straightaways you were fine," Simpson said. "My guys were giving me signals again and they were telling me that I was good to go, just keep my line and keep doing what I was doing. I felt really really good down in and up off the corner and I knew as long as I held my line they were going to have to be really good to get by."

Key notes: Chad Simpson took the checkers 0.638 seconds ahead of Tyler Bruening. ... He has 13 career MLRA victories, matching his brother Chris Simpson. ... The 40-lapper was slowed by two cautions, with the first on lap 14 when Joe Gorby got loose in turn four in front of the leaders, the second on lap 36 for a late-race spin that gave Simpson a break from Bruening's pressure. ... MLRA debuted at the 4/10-mile Howard County Fairgrounds oval. ... Promoters and drivers opted for a rare time-trial format.

On the move: Jason Rauen of Farley, Iowa, advanced three positions to finish eighth

Winner's sponsors: Simpson's Black Diamond Chassis has a Jay Dickens Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Ideal Ready Mix, Liebe Trucking, CR Feed & Fibers, Graves Oil, Michelle Ruefer Chiropractic, Triple M Customs, Allgaire Performance Parts, Yaggy Transportation, Drive4Etch.com, Marty and Cherry Getting and Simpson Farms.

Points chase: Heading to Cresco, Will Vaught of Crane, Mo., topped the standings with 936 points over Mitch McGrath (907) and Logan Martin (885).

Current weather: Clear, 62°F

Car count: 16

Fast qualifier: Chris Simpson

Time: 16.177 seconds

Polesitter: Will Vaught

Heat race winners: Will Vaught, Chad Simpson

Next series race: August 31, Lucas Oil Speedway (Wheatland, MO) $5,075