Ives races late-model stock cars around the Midwest, but "came home" for this race.

"It was a great experience, coming back and running on the dirt and having some fun and getting the wins," Ives said. "It's awesome to come and see everyone who is supporting me and to hear the big cheers when I got out of may car (after winning)."

Ives has been racing at the Wisconsin International Raceway track in Kaukauna, Wis., and on the Tundra and ARCA series at the Norway Speedway. Ives had a busy weekend, taking eleventh place in Kaukauna Thursday and 14th in Norway (after wrecking there).

Now, being used to the larger stock cars, how was it being in the sprint car again?

"It's a tight fit in there," Ives laughed. "But it's like riding a bike. You never forget how to do it. It was like, coming back, it was just like I never left (dirt racing)."

In fact, Ives says he played Saturday night's race like it wasn't even on dirt.

"I ran it more like my asphalt car because the track was kind of slick," Ives said. "That actually got me around the track pretty good, and got me a nice lead."

"And that's how I won the race."

And then, it was celebration time for Ives, who is sponsored in part by the Radio Results Network. "I probably never had people cheer that loud for me when I got out of my car. It felt pretty good."

The UPIR has one last set of Saturday night races next weekend (August 23).