What won the race: Grabbing the lead on lap 17, fifth-starting Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., led the final 33 circuits to claim the $5,000 Steve Lance Sr. Night victory Friday at Peoria Speedway. Shirley earned $5,000 for winning the MARS Racing Series-sanctioned event over Ryan Gustin, who made late high-side charge and finished a half-length behind at the checkers.

Quotable: “These little bullrings and stuff are pretty tricky and lap traffic always comes into play,” Shirley said. “So, all in all, I’m just thankful to get the win. Frankie was trying to run that guy on the top. I was lucky and able to get some good grip on the bottom and was able to get by him there. At the end it just come down to not knowing which lane to be in and I should have done a better job.”

Key notes: Outside front-row starter Jeremiah Hurst of Dubuque, Iowa, led 16 of the race's first 17 laps. ... Frank Heckenast Jr. of Frankfort, Ill., traded the lead with Hurst in the opening laps, before slipping to third. … Shirley cleared both Heckenast Jr. and Hurst with a lap-17 pass. ... Runner-up Ryan Gustin of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed Hurst for third place before passing Heckenast Jr. for second on lap 28. ... After winning the last two races at Peoria, hometown driver Todd Bennett finished 12th, the last car on the lead lap. … The series continues with another $5,000-to-win feature at Peoria Speedway on Saturday, before closing out its first year under the direction of Tony Izzo with a Labor Day Weekend tripleheader.

On the move: Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., started 12th and finished fifth.

Winner's sponsors: Shirley’s Bob Cullen Racing Rocket Chassis is powered by an Andy Durham Racing Engine and sponsored by Thomason Express, Cheap Cars, KBX Graphix, Kid’s Castle Learning Center, Skateland South, Jayco Construction, Kim's Autobody, Vallejo and Popejoy.

Points chase: Entering the event, Frank Heckenast Jr. (145 points) led Bobby Pierce (125), Chris Simpson (120), Ryan Unzicker (103) and Daryn Klein (101).

Current weather: Clear, 81°F

Car count: 33

Fast qualifier: Garrett Alberson

Time: 12.154 seconds

Polesitter: Frank Heckenast Jr.

Heat race winners: Mike Spatola, Frank Heckenast Jr., Dennis Erb Jr., Jeremiah Hurst

Consolation race winners: Todd Bennett

Provisional starters: Curtis Radke, Brayton Wallace, Blaze Burwell

Next series race: August 29, Peoria Speedway (Peoria, IL) $5,000