What won the race: Second-starting Sawyer Crigler of Alton, Mo., fended off multiple race-long challenges from Josh Leonard and led all 25 laps of Saturday's El Capitan Classic finale at Dodge City Raceway Park, capturing his first Heartland Late Model Tour victory to extend his series points lead. Crigler beat Leonard by 0.914 of a second for $3,000 and his second feature victory of 2026.

Quotable: “I gotta thank my dad (Scott Crigler) more than ever,” Sawyer Crigler said. “If it wasn’t for him, I guarantee I wouldn’t be doing this.”

Key notes: Crigler collected his first Dodge City victory and second overall feature win of the season, adding to a June 6 triumph at Springfield (Mo.) Raceway on the 4 State Series. ... It's his first major victory since last Nov. 15's Turkey Bowl XIX at Springfield, worth $6,000. ... Josh Leonard, winner of Friday's $2,500 El Capitan opener at Dodge City, pulled within 0.269 of a second of Crigler on lap 16 before jumping the turn-four cushion and fading back; Leonard tried to mount a late-race surge, but didn't have enough in the closing laps. ... Scott Crigler, the race winner's father, slipped as low as fifth on a lap-13 restart before climbing back to third and completing the podium finishers. ... Kayden Clatt blew a right-rear tire on the 13th lap, drawing the lone stoppage and tagged the field after pitting; Clatt charged from 14th to finish ninth over the race's second half. ... Former World of Outlaws regular Dustin Walker finished 13th as the final starter to complete 25 laps. ... The feature, hurried along to beat approaching rain, lasted 10 minutes with 15 starters running at the finish. ... TeeJay Janousek and John Rowland scratched.

On the move: Braxten Leonard of Gibbon, Neb., started 10th and finished seventh.

Winner's sponsors: Crigler’s Longhorn by Allgaier Performance Chassis is sponsored by ABM American Built Machinery Company, Crigler Timber Harvesting, Crigler Trucking, Country Folks Towing, Hughes Towing, Hoosier Racing Tire, Tyler Breashears at Penske Racing Shocks, TJR Motorsports and Center Point Graphics.

Points chase: After Dodge City: 1. Sawyer Crigler (350); 2. Scott Crigler (326); 3. Kayden Clatt (305); 4. Jake Nightingale (292); 5. Joey Smith (287).

Current weather: Clear Haze, 82°F

Car count: 18

Fast qualifier: Scott Crigler

Time: 16.234 seconds

Polesitter: Josh Leonard

Heat race winners: Scott Crigler, Sawyer Crigler, Josh Leonard

Next series race: August 1, Lake Ozark Speedway (Eldon, MO) $3,000