Jared Landers emerges after his dominating victory at Wheatland.
What won the race: Leading all 40 laps from his pole position, Jared Landers of Batesville, Ark., cruised to a $3,000 victory by a half-track margin in the MLRA's Spring Nationals finale at Lucas Oil Speedway. The regular on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series picked up his first career triumph on the national tour's sister series and first at the racetrack.
Quotable: "Tonight we had nowhere to go but backwards, so I had to stay out there. The race track actually turned around from last night. I think they've got something to work with now. It's gonna be a good race for the Show-Me (100 on Memorial Day weekend)."
Key notes: Landers lapped all but 11 competitors to win for the the first time in over two years. His last triumph came in the Southern All-Star Series's March Madness event on March 3, 2013, at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, S.C. ... Runner-up Will Vaught of Crane, Mo., took second from Jack Sullivan with five laps remaining. ... Jeremy Payne of Springfield, Mo., started outside the front row and battled with Sullivan for second early, but slipped out of contention. ... The feature ran caution-free. ... Ryan Gustin of Marshalltown, Iowa, who notched a $2,000 victory in Friday's portion of the event, closed the weekend with an eighth-place finish. ... Drivers released purple balloons before the main event in honor of Autism Awareness Month.
On the move: Jason Utter of Columbus Junction, Iowa, started seventh and finished third.
Winner's sponsors: Landers drives a Sweet-Bloomquist Race Car with a Clements Racing Engine and sponsorship from Mark Martin Automotive, Crop Productions Services, Bad Boy Mowers, Big Dog Motorsports, Burger Fusion, ASC Warranty and Double L Motorsports.
Points chase: Stormy Scott of Las Cruces, N.M., entered the weekend leading the series points.
Car count: 47
Polesitter: Jared Landers
Heat race winners: Will Vaught, Jared Landers, Jeremy Payne, Tony Jackson Jr., Tommy Weder Jr., , , ,
Consolation race winners: Bill Leighton Jr., Dave Eckrich, ,
Provisional starters: Scott Lewis, Jason O'Brien, ,
Next series race: May 7, Lee County Speedway (Donnellson, IA) $3,000