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MARS Championship Tours Kick Off Second Half of 2024 Campaign with Triple-Header Weekend

MARS Championship Tours Kick Off Second Half of 2024 Campaign with Triple-Header Weekend

FAIRBURY, IL (July 16, 2024) - As the calendar continues to roll along in 2024, the warriors of the MARS Championship Tours have readied for battle as the second half of the season is upon us. As the unofficial first half of the season is behind us, the MARS Late Model tour have 4 events completed while the MARS Modified tour completed 8 events to-date. Luckily for our drivers and fans alike, the schedule is littered with events between now October with 15 MARS Late Model and 9 MARS Modified shows remaining on the docket. The first 3 on the calendar for each respective series are set to transpire this Friday-Sunday with events at Farmer City Raceway, Federated Auto Parts Raceway @ I-55, and Adams County Speedway.

Friday, July 19, the tours will both roar back into action at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois, in conjunction with the Farmer City/Dewitt County Fair, for one of the most special nights of the season at the speedway. The MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends will compete as a part of the 14th annual Jr. Kimler Memorial. The MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment will help establish the inaugural Bill Marietta Memorial Presented by Platinum Fab. Both Kimler and Marietta are dearly missed by the community, and we look forward to carrying on their legacy in life this Friday night.

An additional treat for Friday’s program will be the 2024 Farmer City Raceway Wall of Fame inductions. The ceremony will be held during opening ceremonies in front of the main grandstand. 2024 Wall of Fame additions include Scott Shults, Jim Williams, Steve Burch, Steve Hillard, Lance Dehm, The Late Al Baker, Gary Nettleton, Tom Casey, Randy Stagen, and Sharon Pearson.

Jr. Kimler Memorial Past Winners

2011 - Jason Feger
2012 - Jeff Leka (Modified event)
2013 - Scott Bull
2014 - Bobby Pierce
2015 - Shannon Babb
2016 - Jason Feger
2017 - Mike Spatola
2018 - Ryan Unzicker
2019 - Mike Spatola
2020 - McKay Wenger
2021 - McKay Wenger
2022 - Jason Feger
2023 - Frank Heckenast Jr

On Saturday, July 20, teams will move south to the beautiful Federated Auto Parts Raceway @ I-55 in Pevely, Missouri for the Tribute to Dandy Don Klein. Klein will be honored throughout the night and plans to be in attendance for the event. “The King” captured over 550 career feature wins over his storied 50+ years behind the wheel. Last season the MARS Late Model tour stop saw Gordy Gundaker capture the Tribute to Ed Dixon event over Ryan Unzicker and Jason Feger. Utica, Kentucky’s Josh Harris captured the MARS Modified tour victory over a stout 37-car field of competitors.

Adams County Speedway in Quincy, Illinois will cap off the 3-day swing for the MARS tours on Sunday, July 21. The MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends and MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment teams are eager to get back to the speedway as this is the only stop on the tour schedule for either series in 2024. Ryan Unzicker took home the MARS Late Model victory in 2023 while Kyle Steffens and Michael Long split MARS Modified series stops last season.

Allen Weisser will lead the MARS Late Models into Farmer City Raceway as the point leader over Jason Feger, Bob Gardner, Kye Blight, and Ryan Unzicker. Weisser will be looking to double-down this season as he also leads the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year standings over Justin Duty, Mitch McGrath, Jake Little, and Daniel Adam.

Defending MARS Modified series champion Michael Long leads the tribe into competition this weekend with a narrow 30-point lead over Mike McKinney. Ray Bollinger, Kyle Hammer, and Lyndon Whitfill round out the current top-5. Kyle Hammer leads the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year standings over Lyndon Whitfill, Trey Harris, Jarrett Stryker, and Treb Jacoby.

Friday, July 19

Farmer City Raceway
Farmer City, IL

Jr. Kimler Memorial / Bill Marietta Memorial Presented by Platinum Fab

$5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
$2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
DIRTcar Pro Late Models
DIRTcar Pro Mods
DIRTcar Stock Cars

~ Event specific awards for MARS Modified competitors ~

$100 Hard Charger bonus courtesy of Hume Motorsports
$100 Fast Time award courtesy of Gutteridge Auto Repair
$100 to each first non-qualifier out of the Modified B-Mains courtesy of Sloan Implement

Pits open at 4:00 P.M.
Grandstands open at 4:00 P.M.
Drivers Meeting at 6:00 P.M.
Hot Laps at 6:30 P.M.

Adult General Admission $25
General Admission ages 12 and under FREE
Pit Pass $40
Pit Pass ages 5-12 $20
Pit Pass for children ages 4 and under are FREE

Saturday, July 20

Federated Auto Parts Raceway @ I-55
Pevely, MO

Tribute to Dandy Don Klein Presented by Bloomsdale Excavating

$5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
$2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
DIRTcar Sportsman
DIRTcar Pro Mods
DIRTcar Four Cylinders

Pits open at 4:00 P.M.
Grandstands open at 5:00 P.M.
Drivers Meeting at 5:45 P.M.
Hot Laps at 6:15 P.M.

Adult General Admission $30
General Admission ages 12 and under FREE
Pit Pass $40
Pit Pass ages 6-12 $20
Pit Pass for children ages 5 and under are FREE

Sunday, July 21

Adams County Speedway
Quincy, IL

$5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
$2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
DIRTcar Four Cylinders
Street Stocks
Crown Vics

Pits open at 2:30 P.M.
Grandstands open at 3:30 P.M.
Drivers Meeting at 5:00 P.M.
Hot Laps at 5:30 P.M.

Adult General Admission $25
Seniors General Admission $22
Military General Admission $20
General Admission ages 11-15 $10
General Admission ages 10 and under FREE
Pit Pass $45
Pit Pass ages 4-12 $20
Pit Pass for children ages 3 and under are FREE

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Tire Rule for each night:

LF: Any (90) Hoosier
RF: Hoosier NLMT2 (90)
LR: Hoosier NLMT2 (90)
RR: Hoosier NLMT3 (92) or Hoosier NLMT4 (92)

LM tires allowed on the Left Front ONLY

Grooving and Siping will be permitted.

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Feature nightly purse: 1) $5,000 2) $2,500 3) $2,000 4) $1,600 5) $1,400 6) $1,200 7) $1,000 8) $800 9) $700 10) $600 11) $500 12) $500 13) $500 14) $500 15) $500 16) $500 17) $500 18) $500 19) $500 20) $500 21) $500 22) $500. Non-Transfer Tow Money - $90 (Friday/Saturday) $95 (Sunday)

MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Feature nightly purse: 1) $2,000 2) $1,500 3) $1,200 4) $1,000 5) $800 6) $600 7) $500 8) $400 9) $300 10) $275 11) $250 12) $250 13) $250 14) $250 15) $250 16) $250 17) $250 18) $250 19) $250 20) $250 21) $250 22) $250. Non-Transfer Tow Money - $65 (Friday/Saturday) $70 (Sunday)

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Point Standings (Top 20)

1. Allen Weisser – Peoria, IL – 257 Points
2. Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 243 Points
3. Bob Gardner – Washington, IL – 225 Points
4. Kye Blight – Bunbury, Western Australia – 208 Points
5. Ryan Unzicker – El Paso, IL – 205 Points
6. Justin Duty – Molalla, OR – 194 Points
7. Mitch McGrath – Waukesha, WI – 184 Points
8. McKay Wenger – Fairbury, IL – 175 Points
9. Jake Little – Springfield, IL – 171 Points
10. Mark Voigt – Marine, IL – 165 Points
11. Daniel Adam – Peru, IL – 153 Points
12. Tommy Sheppard Jr – Berlin, IL – 145 Points
13. Frank Heckenast Jr – Frankfort, IL – 131 Points
14. Dale Markham – Maple Park, IL – 123 Points
15. Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – 109 Points
16. Rich Bell – Sheffield, IL – 109 Points
17. Colby Sheppard – Williamsville, IL – 99 Points
18. Kevin Weaver – Gibson City, IL – 96 Points
19. Turk Letizia – Milwaukee, WI – 96 Points
20. Terry Bolin – Brighton, IL – 96 Points

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Standings (Top 10)

1. Allen Weisser - 257 Points
2. Justin Duty - 194 Points
3. Mitch McGrath - 184 Points
4. Jake Little - 171 Points
5. Daniel Adam - 153 Points
6. Tommy Sheppard Jr - 145 Points
7. Dale Markham - 123 Points
8. Colby Sheppard - 99 Points
9. Terry Bolin - 96 Points
10. Jeffrey Ledford - 66 Points

MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Point Standings (Top 15)

1. Michael Long - Fowler, IL - 520 Points
2. Mike McKinney - Plainfield, IL - 490 Points
3. Ray Bollinger - Kewanee, IL - 333 Points
4. Kyle Hammer - Clinton, IL - 312 Points
5. Lyndon Whitfill - Fairbury, IL - 264 Points
6. Zeke McKenzie - Claypool, IN - 261 Points
7. Trey Harris - Hillsboro, MO - 259 Points
8. Michael Ledford - Pontiac, IL - 253 Points
9. Cole Falloway - Owensboro, KY - 233 Points
10. Jarrett Stryker - Breese, IL - 206 Points
11. Treb Jacoby - O’Fallon, MO - 204 Points
12. Mason Duncan - Metamora, IL - 195 Points
13. Josh Harris - Utica, KY - 188 Points
14. Dylan Woodling - Warsaw, IN - 188 Points
15. Mike Chasteen Jr. - Peoria, IL - 186 Points

MARS Modified Championship Powered by Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Standings

1. Kyle Hammer - 312 Points
2. Lyndon Whitfill - 264 Points
3. Trey Harris - 259 Points
4. Jarrett Stryker - 206 Points
5. Treb Jacoby - 204 Points
6. Mason Duncan - 195 Points
7. Evan Fink - 128 Points
8. JD Laster - 115 Points
9. Trevor Ringle - 90 Points

2024 MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Statistics

Pontiac RV Heat Race #1 Winners

Colby Sheppard - 1
Mike Harrison - 1
Allen Weisser - 1
Jason Feger - 1

FK Rod Ends 1st Place Finisher

Jason Feger - 2
Ryan Unzicker - 1
Dillon McCowan - 1

FK Rod Ends 5th Place Finisher

Allen Weisser - 1
Kevin Weaver - 1
Matt Bailey - 1
Bob Gardner - 1

Fairbury Fasteners 7th Place Finisher

Kye Blight - 2
Mike Spatola - 1
Mark Voigt - 1

Budda by Bert Transmission 9th Place Finisher

Rich Bell - 1
Turk Letizia - 1
Daniel Adam - 1
Myles Moos - 1

Keyser Manufacturing 13th Place Finisher

Bob Gardner - 1
Dale Markham - 1
Jason Suhre - 1
Jeffrey Ledford - 1

Fast Shafts 15th Place Finisher

Brian Shirley - 1
Jake Little - 1
Jordan Bauer - 1
Timmy Dick - 1

MSD Hard Charger Award Winners

Frank Heckenast Jr - 1
Turk Letizia - 1
Kye Blight - 1
Dale Markham - 1

Wilwood Brakes Hard Luck Award Winners

Mark Voigt - 1
David Marlow - 1
Michael Kloos - 1
Frank Heckenast Jr - 1

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winners

Allen Weisser - 3
Tommy Sheppard Jr - 1

2024 MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Statistics

Multi Fire X Fast Time Award Winners

Mike McKinney - 4
Austin Friedman - 1
Michael Long - 1
Derek Losh - 1

Willy’s Carb & Dyno Heat Race #1 Winners

Michael Long - 2
Mike McKinney - 2
Charlie Mefford - 1
Derek Losh - 1
Ray Bollinger - 1

Lethal Chassis Heat Race #2 Winners

Michael Long - 3
Josh Harris - 1
Mike McKinney - 1
Michael Ledford - 1
Dean Hoffman - 1

Summit Racing Equipment 1st Place Finisher

Michael Long - 6
Mike Harrison - 2
Mike McKinney - 1

Fast Shafts 3rd place Finisher

Michael Ledford - 2
Mike McKinney - 2
Kyle Steffens - 1
Trey Harris - 1
Dillon Nusbaum - 1
Dean Hoffman - 1
Zeke McKenzie - 1

Keyser Manufacturing 7th Place Finisher

Allen Weisser - 1
Ray Bollinger - 1
Dylan Woodling - 1
Treb Jacoby - 1
Kyle Hammer - 1
Chad Sellers - 1
Brad Deyoung - 1
Mason Duncan - 1
Frank Marshall - 1

MD3 Hard Charger Award Winners

Cole Falloway - 1
Lucas Lee - 1
Dylan Woodling - 1
Ray Bollinger - 1
Jason Hastings - 1
Lyndon Whitfill - 1
Austen Becerra - 1
Mike Harrison - 1
Allen Weisser - 1

Wilwood Brakes Hard Luck Award Winners

Ryan Thomas - 1
Rick Frasure - 1
CJ Springer - 1
Noah Faw - 1
Mason Duncan - 1
Cody Zobrist - 1
Tim Nash - 1
Kyle Strickler - 1
Nick Allen - 1

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winners

Kyle Hammer - 3
Trey Harris - 2
Mason Duncan - 2
Lyndon Whitfill - 1

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR:

• MARS MODIFIED ROOKIE CLASS CHAOS - With the first half of the season in the books, a major shakeup has transpired with many of the rookie contenders this summer. Current point leader Kyle Hammer is electing to miss the final two nights of this weekend to prepare for the upcoming Prairie Dirt Classic, Trey Harris is out of the Outlaw Garage ride, and Treb Jacoby has elected to drop off the tour in full-time capacity. Could the Rookie title come down to a last-man-standing situation with 9 events remaining?

• ON A HOT STREAK: No one in Late Model competition has been hotter in the state of Illinois this past month than Fairbury, IL driver McKay Wenger. Wenger has won his past 5 events entered between starts at Farmer City and Fairbury. After a slow start to his MARS campaign, he currently sits 8th in series standings and will look to catapult up the charts following these 3 nights of action.

• CONSISTENCY IS KEY: While Allen Weisser has not yet found MARS victory lane this season, he has succeeded in what is most important in point racing… Being consistent. In 4 starts this season, his worst finish has been a 5th place finish, which has put him into the point lead to this point in the season. Can he keep it up and continue to stay on top?

• OUTSIDE INVADERS: While the MARS Late Model series has a strong roster of 15 drivers on the season, eyes may be looking elsewhere at a chance to spoil the MARS full-time drivers’ aspirations on the weekend. Tentatively, regional hot shoes including Dillon McCowan, Trey Mills, Clayton Stuckey, Gordy Gundaker, and Trevor Gundaker are scheduled to try to come and spoil the party. Can one of these 5 drivers make some noise over the course of the 3 days?

• WEEKLY GURUS: One of the most intriguing aspects of the MARS Modified events since its birth has been seeing how the touring drivers stack up against the home track heroes at each stop on tour. The weekend will be a true test as track point leaders at each stop include Austin Friedman, Rick Conoyer, and Austen Becerra. All are capable of winning at just about any track in the region on any given night.

If you are unable to make it to the track, you can catch EVERY MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends event in 2024 live at floracing.com.

For more information about the MARS Dirt Series, please contact Jonathan Clayton at 731-467- 1316, visit the tour’s webpage at marsracingseries.com, or visit @MARSDirtRacing on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends and MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment would like to thank the following sponsors and marketing partners for their support of the 2024 racing season: FK Rod Ends (MARS Late Model title sponsor), Summit Racing Equipment (MARS Modified title sponsor), Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts (Official trailer and golf cart provider of the MARS Dirt Series), Flo Racing (Official streaming provider of the MARS Late Model tour), Racing Electronics (Official communications provider of the MARS Dirt Series), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official tire manufacturer of the MARS Dirt Series), Sunoco Race Fuels (Official fuel of the MARS Dirt Series and proud sponsor of the Sunoco Rookie of the Year chase all season long on the MARS Late Model & Modified Championship tours), Illinois State Rifle Association, Pontiac RV (Official RV Dealer of the MARS Dirt Series), Allstar Performance, O’Reilly Auto Parts, DIRTcar Racing, Driscoll Motors (Official dealership of the MARS Dirt Series), Woods Basement Systems (Official Basement Contractor of the MARS Dirt Series), MD3, Josh James Artwork, MWD Signs & Graphix, Fairbury Fastener & Supply, King’s Graphix, Dirt Draft, Digital Copy Systems, Whelen, Multi Fire X, Budda Bert Transmission, Dyer’s Top Rods, Fast Shafts, Wilwood Brakes, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Keyser Manufacturing, Varsitee Screenprinting, Willy’s Carb & Dyno, Trackside Racewear, Hooker Harness, Lethal Chassis, Remtek Enterprises, and QuickCar Racing Products.

MARS Championship Upcoming Events

• July 19, 2024 - Farmer City Raceway - Farmer City, IL - Jr. Kimler Memorial / Bill Marietta Memorial Presented by Platinum Fab - $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends & $2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment

• July 20, 2024 - Federated Auto Parts Raceway @ I-55 - Pevely, MO - Tribute to Dandy Don Klein Presented by Bloomsdale Excavating - $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends & $2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment

• July 21, 2024 - Adams County Speedway - Quincy, IL - $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends & $2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment

• August 9, 2024 - Sycamore Speedway - Maple Park, IL - $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

• August 10, 2024 - Macon Speedway - Macon, IL - Kerbystrong 100 - $10,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

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