What won the race: Using a last-lap pass around Blaze Burwell, sixth-starting Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., nipped Burwell at the line by 0.347 of a second to win Saturday's $5,000 MARS Late Model Championship Series feature at Fairbury Speedway. Babb led only the final lap to capture his 10th career MARS victory and his first since April 29, 2023, when he topped a 32-car field for $5,000 at Fairbury.

Quotable: “It feels really good (to win). Man, it’s been hard to break the ice this year and just all my guys … everybody has been working their tails off,” Babb said. “I think the world of Blaze (Burwell) right there and he had the best car, he had my line (on the bottom), I thought ‘man, he’s gonna send me to the cushion tonight.’ He damn near got it, I really enjoyed that race right there.”

Key notes: Jason Feger entered having won the last four MARS races at Fairbury since last spring and led 18 laps (19-36) before slowing with a flat right-front to draw the race's fourth and final caution on lap 38. Feger ended up 10th after changing the tire. ... Pole-starting Blaze Burwell led twice for 20 laps (2-18, 37-39), before being overtaken by Babb on the final lap and settling for second. He was looking for his first MARS victory and entered the event with a single top-five finish in the series among 21 starts over two seasons. ... McKay Wenger inherited third on the lap-38 restart and completed the podium finishers. ... Ryan Unzicker improved 10 positions and placed fourth. ... Bob Gardner started 21st and finished ninth aboard a backup car. ... Second-starting Mike Spatola led the opening lap before fading and pulling off from eighth on lap 33. ... The third stoppage came on lap 26 when ninth-running Brandon Eskew hit the turn-four wall, collecting Daniel Adam. Eskew called it a night, while Adam changed a flat and continued until pulling off under the final caution. ... The second yellow flag was displayed on lap 20 after Kevin Weaver slowed, while the opening slowdown was for a solo-spin by Colby Sheppard on lap 14. Sheppard continued to a 14th-place result, the last driver running at the finish. ... The main event lasted 24 minutes. ... Thomas Hunziker scratched.

On the move: Mark Voigt of Marine, Ill., started 22nd and finished seventh.

Winner's sponsors: Babb’s Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Vic Hill Racing Engine and sponsored by Petroff Towing, Dynagro Seed, CJI Piping & Fabrication, Donley Trucking, Getty Landscaping, Douglas Dodge Ram, Kuebler Ultra Oil, VP Racing Fuels and Penske Racing Shocks.

Points chase: After Fairbury: 1. Jason Feger (826); 2. Ryan Unzicker (806); 3. Justin Duty (647); 4. Bob Gardner (642); 5. Kye Blight (599).

Current weather: Clear, 66°F

Car count: 29

Fast qualifier: McKay Wenger

Time: 13.031 seconds

Polesitter: Blaze Burwell

Heat race winners: McKay Wenger, Jason Feger, Blaze Burwell

Consolation race winners: Daniel Adam

Provisional starters: Bob Gardner, Mark Voigt

Next series race: September 1, Spoon River Speedway (Banner, IL) $5,000