What won the race: Inheriting the lead when race-long leader Tony Jackson slowed with a flat tire on the 24th lap, Jeff Herzog of Festus, Mo., led the rest of Sunday's Rex McCroskey Memorial for his first career Midwest LateModel Racing Association victory. Herzog earned $7,064 in taking the checkers 1.279 seconds ahead runner-up Sawyer Crigler at the quarter-mile oval.

Quotable: "I just was trying to bide my time. I seen Tony up there dicing up with the lapped cars, and I thought, 'Man, if I could just stay here, you never know what'll happen.' Lady Luck bit him tonight. I'll take it however I can," Herzog said. "It's great racing with Tony and (McCroskey) tribute car he did was badass ... that was cool of him to do."

Key notes: Jeff Herzog moved past Aaron Marrant for second in the MLRA points chase behind Tony Jackson Jr. ... Podium finishers Herzog, Sawyer Crigler and Jaxon Ertel all had their best career MLRA finishes. ... Tony Jackson Jr. led the first 23 laps but slipped over the turn-two banking and slowed in turn four with a flat tire, collecting Scott Crigler as Herzog pulled into the lead. ... Besides the caution for Jackson, another yellow fell on the 22nd lap when sixth-running Tyler Kuykendall headed to the pits with a flat right-rear tire. ... The 16-minute feature concluded at 10:10 p.m. ... In time trials, Jackson lowered the track record with an 11.794-second lap (the previous mark was 11.980 seconds of Tristan Chamberlain on March 16, 2024). ... The event honored McCroskey, of Springfield, Mo., a fixture in the early years of MLRA competition who captured 20 feature victories en route to two series titles; McCroskey died on Sept. 28, 2024, at age 67. ... Jackson fielded a vintage McCroskey throwback white No. 64 graphics scheme.

On the move: Hometown driver and Hall of Famer Terry Phillips started 19th and finished fifth.

Winner's sponsors: Herzog's Cornett-powered Longhorn Chassis is sponsored by Dan Althoff Trucking, Bloomsdale Bank, Staat Inc., Walters Metal Fab, SMCI, Fixture Contracting, National Electrical, Final Finish, CI Flooring, Painting Solutions, Presley's Glass Company, McCain's Painting & Autobody, P&A Drywall Supply and Cashinyourguns.com.

Points chase: After Springfield: 1. Tony Jackson Jr. (2,350); 2. Jeff Herzog (2,120); 3. Aaron Marrant (2,105); 4. Matthew Larson (1,830); 5. Brennon Willard (1,485).

Current weather: Clear, 84°F

Car count: 21

Fast qualifier: Tony Jackson Jr.

Time: 11.794 seconds

Polesitter: Tony Jackson Jr.

Heat race winners: Tony Jackson Jr., Jeff Herzog, Scott Crigler

Next series race: September 20, Quincy Raceway (Quincy, IL) $5,000