What won the race: Racing past polesitter and race-long leader Jeff Herzog on the 21st lap, fifth-starting Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., led the rest of Saturday's 30-lapper amid rugged conditions at I-55 Federated Raceway Park for a $5,000 MARS Championship Series victory. Unzicker took the checkers 1.484 second ahead of runner-up Michael Leach with series points leader Jason Feger third and Herzog in fourth.

Quotable: "It took every ounce of energy out of every race car driver out here tonight, to fight the track," Unzicker said, thanking his crew and sponsors. "I really can't even feel my darn arms right now ... the car was just really balanced, we made some changes we needed to make for this kind of track and right there starting up front was the perfect point to get the win and getting the job done."

Key notes: Unzicker, who retired a night earlier at Farmer City with transmission problems, notched his second MARS victory of 2025 and 13th of his career. ... Jeff Herzog led the first 20 laps. ... Six cautions slowed the action, including two before a lap was completed, the first when Shannon Babb's car bicycled in turns one and two and again when Michael Kloos stopped on the frontstretch (his car was towed away). ... A third caution flew on the second lap for Paul Roider's spin. ... A lap-four yellow flew when Daryn Klein blew a left-rear tire. ... Austin Howes, who had made a 13th-to-fifth charge, drew a lap-11 caution (that erased a pass for the lead of Ryan Unzicker over Herzog). ... A lap-12 yellow dropped for a slowing Kayden Clatt. ... Cody Maguire slid into the backstretch entrance on the 23rd lap. ... The feature was shortened to 30 laps (from 40) because of rugged track conditions. ... Bob Gardner, who was disqualified Friday at Farmer City for on-track retaliation against Daryn Klein, wasn't in action at I-55 and penalties are expected from series officials early next week.

On the move: Jake Little of Springfield, Ill., started 21st and finished sixth.

Winner's sponsors: Unzicker’s Longhorn Chassis has a Pro Power Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from RJR Transportation, Brucker Farms, Low Voltage Solutions, Mosquito Hero, Fairbury Fastener & Supply, Larimer Cows & Calves, Absolute Home Repair & Remodeling, Gary Miller’s Classic Auto, El Paso Outdoor Center, Big City Automotive, Arkansas Septic Plumbing, Unzicker Equipment, Konstruction Services, Pro Tire and Automotive, Mackinaw Valley Powder Coating, Logan Smith Collectibles, Clean It Up Pressure Washing Professionals, A Solution HVAC & Construction, Bert by Budda Transmissions, DirtcarLift.com, Keyser Manufacturing, NAPA El Paso, Fuel Factory, Varsitee Screenprint, Bilstein Shocks and Fuel Factory.

Points chase: After I-55: 1. Jason Feger (760); 2. Ryan Unzicker (727); 3. Shannon Babb (681); 4. Tony Jackson Jr. (661); 5. Justin Duty (627).

Current weather: Clear, 82°F

Car count: 27

Fast qualifier: Daryn Klein

Time: 12.203 seconds

Polesitter: Jeff Herzog

Heat race winners: Daryn Klein, Jason Feger, Jeff Herzog

Consolation race winners: Justin Reed

Provisional starters: Jake Little, Brennon Willard

Next series race: July 20, Quincy Raceway (Quincy, IL) $5,000