What won the race: Taking control from early leader Joey Pederson, pole-starting Tyler Peterson of Hickson, N.D., repelled late-race challenges from Jason Strand and Mike Greseth, narrowly winning Saturday's 40-lap sixth annual Golden Hammer Classic at Devils Lake Speedway. Peterson led the final 32 laps to prevail for the $5,000 payday, his third Northern LateModel Racing Association victory of the season and the eighth of his career. It's his first career Golden Hammer triumph.

Quotable: “I was really good running high over here (in turn four) and down there (in turn one), then all of a sudden my stick signal went from ‘you’re doing good buddy’ to smash there’s (Mike Greseth) out of nowhere,” Peterson said. “The middle (line) got super dirty over here (in turn four) and I coasted through it bad, I probably lost two seconds that one lap. Hats off to Devils Lake, the track was awesome. I almost got my ass beat on the bottom and I was running the top, so two lanes there for sure.”

Key notes: Second-starting Pederson, of East Grand Forks, Minn., led the opening eight laps before giving way to Peterson and slipping to eighth. ... Fifth-starting Mike Greseth made significant ground on the low line in the closing laps, grabbing the runner-up spot from Jason Strand as they took the white flag and nearing drawing alongside Peterson at turn-four exit on the final lap. Greseth slid in front of Strand, finishing 0.554 of a second back, with eighth-starting Strand taking the checkers just 0.174 behind Greseth. ... Longtime modified racer Matt Gilbertson improved 11 spots and placed fourth. ... Tyson Turnbull gained eight positions and finished ninth after recently returning following a nearly six-year break from Late Model competition in the states. ... Dustin Strand retired after spinning from seventh to bring out the race's fourth and final caution on lap 27. ... The event honored Nick Minske of East Grand Forks, Minn., a longtime WISSOTA Late Model competitor who recently died following a June 15 motorcycle accident. ... The 40-lapper lasted 41 minutes, with 14 drivers running at the finish.

On the move: Shane Edginton of East Saint Paul, Manitoba, started 23rd and finished sixth.

Winner's sponsors: Peterson’s Rocket Chassis is powered by a Corky Thomas Race Engine and carries sponsorship from Enclave, Quick-Lift by TP Fabricating, Northwest Auto Body, Fastenal, AllFab Railings & Metalworks, Powdercoat Specialists, Fox Racing Shox and Slider Shots Media.

Points chase: After Devils Lake: 1. Cole Schill (1,567); 2. Dustin Strand (1,505); 3. Brad Seng (1,397); 4. Brody Troftgruben (1,393); 5. Shane Edginton (1,340).

Current weather: Clear, 73°F

Car count: 29

Polesitter: Tyler Peterson

Heat race winners: Tyler Peterson, Brad Seng, Tucker Pederson, Cole Schill

Consolation race winners: Brandon Corbett

Provisional starters: Shane Edginton, Brandon Fuller

Next series race: July 19, Brown County Speedway (Aberdeen, SD) $2,566