What won the race: Leading all but five laps, Brandon Thirlby of Traverse City, Mich., kept series points leader Dona Marcoullier in check in the second half of the race for $4,000 victory in the American Ethanol Late Model Tour feature at I-96 Speedway.

Key notes: The victory was the second of Thirlby's career on the American Ethanol Late Model Tour victory. ... Rusty Schlenk briefly took second from Dona Marcoullier on lap 27 before slipping over the backstretch berm and retiring. ... Eric Spangler led the first five laps before Thirlby took command; Spangler fell from contention with a right-rear flat tire on a lap-23 restart. ... Nine of the 21 starters finished on the lead lap. ... Thirlby's quick time lowered the track record.

On the move: Rich Neiser of Fruitport, Mich., advanced from his 12th starting position to finish fifth.

Winner's sponsors: Thirlby's Rocket Chassis has a Ford Pro Power Racing Engine and sponsorship from Thirlby Automotive, Corrigan Race Fuels, FK Rod Ends and KBC Graphix.

Points chase: Entering the event, Marcoulier (604 points) led Eric Spangler (557), Ryan VanderVeen (464), Brandon Thirlby (458) and Travis Stemler (443).

Car count: 25

Fast qualifier: Brandon Thirlby

Time: 15.972 seconds

Heat race winners: Rusty Schlenk, Travis Stemler, Rich Bell,  ,  ,  ,  ,  

Consolation race winners: Zack Olger,  ,  ,  

Next series race: August 5, Plymouth Speedway (Plymouth, IN) $4,000