What won the race: Retaking control for good after Neil Baggett slowed with apparent engine failure on the 39th lap, fifth-starting Evan Ellis of Plantersville, Miss., led the final two laps of Sunday's Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series return to Magnolia Motor Speedway. Ellis beat Brian Rickman by 0.957 of a second on the two-lap sprint to the checkers, earning $3,000, his second feature win of the season and second career MSCCS triumph.

Key notes: Ellis led twice for three laps (23, 39-40) after initially slipping by Neil Baggett to lead the 23rd lap as they raced amid heavy lapped traffic. ... Baggett, who led twice for 24 laps (14-22, 24-38), enjoyed a comfortable advantage when he appeared to lose an engine down the backstretch on lap 39, slowing to a stop in turn three with a plume of smoke; Baggett retired and was credited with 12th. ... Ellis sped away from Brian Rickman on the late restart for his second career MSCCS victory, his first since July 22, 2023, at Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, Miss. ... It's his second feature win of the season including a June 5 unsanctioned victory at Pine Ridge Speedway in Guntown, Miss. ... Second-starting Oakley Johns led the opening 12 laps until making contact with Kason Harper's lapped machine and cutting his left-rear tire and retired under green. ... The pole-starting Rickman led the 13th lap before Baggett blasted past. ... Jamie Elam took advantage of the lap-39 restart, jumping from fifth to finish third. ... Chris Wall, making just his third start of the season, finished one lap down in fifth aboard the Thrash family-owned No. 1c. ... Points leader Bo Slay appeared to cross the finish line in sixth but was docked two positions for jumping the lap-39 restart and credited with eighth. ... Slowed only by Baggett's engine woes, the race lasted 15 minutes with four starters completing 40 laps and 11 running at the checkers. ... Randall Beckwith scratched after finishing second in the first heat race while Cam Harris scratched after hot laps. ... Magnolia hosts its annual Cotton Pickin’ event on Sept. 18-19, a $20,000-to-win special for unsanctioned Super Late Models.

On the move: Jamie Elam of Senatobia, Miss., started 11th and finished third.

Winner's sponsors: Ellis drives a Longhorn Chassis powered by a Jay Dickens Racing Engine and sponsored by Ponders Equipment Service, Ellis Welding, 4 Seasons Equipment Company, Elite Coating, PowerWash Store, Penske Racing Shocks and X-treme Graphics.

Points chase: After Magnolia: 1. Bo Slay (1,115); 2. Mark Dodson (880); 3. Randall Beckwith (650); 4. Easton Bollinger (470); 5. Brian Rickman (465).

Current weather: Clear, 79°F

Car count: 19

Fast qualifier: Brian Rickman

Time: 13.732 seconds

Polesitter: Brian Rickman

Heat race winners: Brian Rickman, Oakley Johns

Next series race: October 9, Greenville Speedway (Greenville, MS) $3,000