What won the race: Grabbing his first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win at the track where he was a two-time modified champion, Dillon McCowan of Urbana, Mo., went under Josh Rice on the 29th lap at Lucas Oil Speedway and led the rest of the 40-lapper to score a $15,000 victory in the Salute to Forrest Lucas. The 22-year-old McCowan took the checkers 2.104 seconds ahead of Rice for a $15,000 payday and his biggest career victory.

Quotable: "I could feel a heck of a vibration right there when I caught Josh (Rice)," McCowan said. "I took the lead and when I seen there was five (laps) to go, I was like 'To hell with it, we'll burn it down.' "

Key notes: Dillon McCowan, who performed donuts on the track after returning from postrace tech inspection, became the tour's 95th winner. ... He earned a $1,000 bonus from Steering Buddy as a first-time series winner. ... Polesitter Jonathan Davenport led the first five laps and fellow front-row starter Josh Rice, after a slide job battle with J.D., took command on the sixth lap ... McCowan never let Rice get away, twice pulling within two-tenths of a second before finally making the winning pass with 12 laps remaining. ... Rice caught the wall and damaged his spoiler, contributing to his downfall. ... Brandon Sheppard entered the race as the series points leader following Thursday's victory at Iowa's 34 Raceway, but he spun on the third lap at Wheatland — the lone caution — and fell into a tie with Hudson O'Neal. ... The 13-minute feature concluded at 9:28 p.m. ... In prelims, a red flag appeared in the third heat when Kayden Clatt smacked the turn-one wall (he wasn't hurt). ... The event honored Forrest Lucas, the late founder of Lucas Oil Products; Lucas died on Aug. 23, 2025, at 83. The weekend concludes with Saturday's 50-lap, $25,000-to-win finale.

On the move: Garrett Alberson of Las Cruces, N.M., started 17th and finished sixth.

Winner's sponsors: McCowan's Longhorn Chassis has a Scott Bailey Racing Engine and sponsorship from Pomeroy Services, Empire Energy, Sonic, Mel Hambelton Ford, Heritage Tractor, McCowan Farms, Elite Construction, BLC Transportation, Bilstein, Ozark Motorsports Report, Midwest Sheet Metal, Swift Springs, Fast Shafts, A.D.& Nancy McGowan, Bear Graphix, BulletProof Tees, FK Rod Ends and MyRacePass.

Points chase: After Wheatland Friday: T1. Brandon Sheppard (4,735); T1. Hudson O’Neal (4,735); 3. Devin Moran (4,605); 4. Brandon Overton (4,370); 5. Max Blair (4,315); 6. Ricky Thornton Jr. (4,200); 7. Garrett Alberson (4,070); 8. Josh Rice (3,995); 9. Brian Shirley (3,980); 10. Kyle Bronson (3,845).

Current weather: Clear, 84°F

Car count: 43

Fast qualifier: Jonathan Davenport

Time: 14.922 seconds

Polesitter: Jonathan Davenport

Heat race winners: Jonathan Davenport, Dillon McCowan, Josh Rice, Brian Shirley

Consolation race winners: Garrett Alberson, Dan Ebert

Provisional starters: Clay Harris, Cory Lawler

Next series race: July 11, Lucas Oil Speedway (Wheatland, MO) $25,000