What won the race: Driving a brand new car, two-time and reigning series champ Tony Jackson Jr. of Lebanon, Mo., overtook polesitter and race-long leader Spencer Diercks on the 24th of 30 laps Thursday at C.J. Speedway for an $8,000 victory on the Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association.

Quotable: "I was trying to pace. Just bigger races and longer races, I've used my stuff up and and I've got to good spots and fell back," Jackson said. "Tonight I was like, 'If I get the lead, I'll pace myself if not, I'm just gonna pace off him.' And I seen the flagman (signal 10 laps to go) so now I knew that I needed to make something happen. So luckily for me, the caution landed at the right time. I felt like we had a really maneuverable car. I felt like we was quite a bit better and lapped traffic. But I was just kind of kind of waiting."

Key notes: Jackson earned his 12th career MLRA victory. ... Runner-up Spencer Diercks fell one spot shy of his first career MLRA victory. ... Five-time race winner and MLRA points leader Johnny Scott of Las Cruces, N.M., was a no-show at C.J., allowing Chad Simpson so grab the points lead. ... The track hosted the the Lucas Oil MLRA for the first time, an event originally set for July 1 but rained out. … C.J. opened Iowa's tripleheader weekend for MLRA competitors. … Originally slated as a $5,000-to-win feature, additional money from fans and sponsors upped the winner’s share to $8,000. … Other prize money included a $500 hard charger award. ... The series heads to Davenport Speedway on Friday and Maquoketa Speedway on Saturday.

On the move: Hometown driver Johnathan Huston started 16th and finished ninth.

Winner's sponsors: Jackson’s TJR Motorsports Capital Race Car is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and sponsored by Willard Quarries, Lebanon Ready-Mix, Penske Racing Shocks, Gorsuch Performance Solutions and Eibach Springs.

Points chase: After C.J.: 1. Chad Simpson (2,805); 2. Johnny Scott (2,635); 3. Kolby Vandenbergh (2,545); 4. Daniel Hilsabeck (2,400); 5. Steve Stultz (2,100).

Current weather: Overcast, 70°F

Car count: 16

Fast qualifier: Spencer Diercks

Time: 17.543 seconds

Heat race winners: Spencer Diercks, Tony Jackson Jr.

Next series race: August 12, Davenport Speedway (Davenport, IA) $5,000