What won the race: Storming from the ninth starting spot, Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa, overtook race-long pacesetter Jeff Herzog for the lead on lap 11 and never looked back en route to capturing Friday’s 30-lap Ron Jenkins Memorial at Lucas Oil Speedway. Simpson’s $7,000 triumph was the first of his career at the 3/8-mile oval and came in the opener of the track’s two-day weekend for the Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association.

Quotable: “It was a good track,” Simpson said. “I had to move up there at the end. Chad, my crew guy, told me (Billy) Moyer was coming on the top so I moved up and kind of sailed from there. I kind of figured if that top would get burned in somebody would be coming, but once I got by Herzog there I kind of had open track to move around.”

Key notes: Simpson crossed the finish line 1.342 seconds ahead of Billy Moyer, who grabbed the runner-up spot from Herzog on lap 15. The 66-year-old Hall of Famer drove a Longhorn Chassis from the Double L Motorsports stable. … The victory was the 17th of Simpson’s career in MLRA competition and first since April 28, 2023, at Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Mo. His Lake Ozark checkered flag was also his last win of any kind. … Eighth-starting Tony Jackson Jr. overtook Chad Simpson — the winner’s older brother — for third on lap 21 and finished there. … Chad Simpson maintained a slight MLRA points leader over his sibling by finishing fourth while Herzog settled for fifth after leading the opening 10 laps. … The race was slowed by six caution flags, including four during the first nine circuits. … Five cautions were for turn-four incidents: a Kayden Clatt-Dillon McCowan tangle on lap one; spins by Glen Powell (lap two) and Dustin Walker (lap eight); a four-car incident on lap nine; and Mason Oberkramer and Gordy Gundaker coming together on lap 15. … Ryan Johnson spun off turn two and collected Brennan Willard on lap 18 to trigger the final slowdown. While waiting for his car to be towed, Willard showed his displeasure with Johnson by throwing his steering wheel at Johnson when the Aurora, Mo., driver returned to the track following a pit stop. … After an afternoon rain shower struck the track, MLRA entrants had to run two complete sets of hot laps to bring around the surface. … Officials decided to scrap a B-main and start all 28 entered cars in the 30-lap feature. ... The 10th annual Ron Jenkins Memorial paid tribute to the original builder of Wheatland Raceway. … Mary Jenkins Holt added a $2,000 winner’s bonus to Friday’s first-place prize and will do the same on Saturday to boost the finale’s winner’s check to $12,000.

On the move: Derrick Stewart of Ainsworth, Iowa, started 23rd and finished ninth.

Winner's sponsors: Simpson’s Longhorn Chassis is powered by an Andy Durham Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Larry Davidson Trucking, Hot Rod Septic Treatment, Hoker Trucking, C&J Trucking, Robert Mitchell at RLM Enterprises, Factory CS Lifestyle Brand, Swift Springs, Speedwerx Performance Exhaust and Capital Race Decals.

Points chase: After Wheatland Friday: 1. Chad Simpson (1,395); 2. Chris Simpson (1,380); 3. Gordy Gundaker (1,285); 4. Tony Jackson Jr. (1,255); 5. Trevor Gundaker (1,245).

Current weather: Few Clouds, 73°F

Car count: 28

Fast qualifier: Kayden Clatt

Time: 15.914 seconds

Polesitter: Jeff Herzog

Heat race winners: Jeff Herzog, Ryan Johnson, Billy Moyer, Trevor Gundaker

Next series race: August 31, Lucas Oil Speedway (Wheatland, MO) $12,000