What won the race: Polesitter Kody Evans of Camden, Ohio, overcame a couple late restarts to capture a flag-to-flag victory in Saturday's 23rd annual Iron-Man Classic in the Valvoline American Late Model Iron-Man Series return to Portsmouth Raceway Park. Evans led all 30 laps and took the checkers 0.727 of a second ahead of Rod Conley for the $7,500 payday, his first career touring series victory.

Key notes: Evans earned his first feature victory since topping a local Super Late Model field on Sept. 2, 2021, at Ohio's Moler Raceway Park. ... Evans became the fifth first-time Iron-Man Series winner this season, joining Caiden Black, Drake Troutman, Derek Fisher and Adam Stricker. ... Rod Conley pursued Evans the entire distance, but never seriously challenged for the lead. ... Eighth-starting Henry Hornsby III took third on a lap-23 restart and rounded out the podium finishers. ... Points leader Colten Burdette finished fourth after taking the spot on a lap-26 restart. ... Consolation transfers R.J. Conley and Seth Daniels each improved six positions to finish 11th and 12th and were the last starters to complete 30 laps. ... The race was slowed twice, the first on lap 23 when Zach Hill slowed from 11th and retired. ... Fourth-starting Justin Cooper, who earned $246 as the night's fast qualifier, slowed from sixth to trigger the final stoppage on lap 26. ... It was the first Iron-Man Series race at Portsmouth since Aug. 30, 2024, after the Jent family reopened the 3/8-mile facility that sits where the Ohio and Scioto Rivers meet. ... The main event lasted 17 minutes with 14 starters running at the finish. ... The two highest-finishing drivers utilizing a Steel Block, Crate or CT525 engine received cash bonuses (1. $150; 2. $50).

On the move: Colten Burdette of Parkersburg, W.Va., started 12th and finished fourth.

Points chase: Before Portsmouth: 1. Colten Burdette (987); 2. Rod Conley (879); 3. Miles Cook II (785); 4. Seth Daniels (779); 5. Travis Carr (629).

Current weather: Clear, 81°F

Car count: 29

Fast qualifier: Justin Cooper

Time: 15.699 seconds

Polesitter: Kody Evans

Heat race winners: Kody Evans, Rod Conley, Josh Bocook

Consolation race winners: Patrick Solari

Provisional starters: Travis Carr, Austin Mullett, Shawn Martin

Next series race: September 4, Attica Raceway Park (Attica, OH) $15,049