8/19/2024
MARS - Midwest Auto Racing Series
MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Point Battles Heat up as the Tour Rolls to Tri-City & Red Hill
MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Point Battles Heat up as the Tour Rolls to Tri-City & Red Hill
FAIRBURY, IL (August 19, 2024) – As we continue to flip through the days on the calendar, the days begin to get shorter, just as the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod End season schedule does. After a tough start to the season with two of the first three MARS Late Model events being taken by mother nature, the series has since rallied and completed nine of the next ten races that were scheduled following opening weekend. Nine events are left on the schedule for the season and the point battles for both the MARS Late Model championship and the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year title are continuing to tighten.
With two victories and two second place finishes in his last 4 starts, El Paso, Illinois driver Ryan Unzicker has cut the deficit to the lead to 37 points. Even with the impressive stretch by Unzicker, it will be a tough task to knock off the defending series champion, Jason Feger. Feger has only finished worse than sixth on one occasion all season long. One interesting stat to keep in mind is that each driver will drop their two worst finishes on the season prior to FALS Frenzy championship weekend being held at Fairbury Speedway on October 4 & 5. If those drops took place today, Feger would hold only a 9-point lead over Unzicker.
After a head-turning kind of weekend for the Molalla, Oregon driver on our last weekend out, Justin Duty has taken the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year point lead over for the first time this season. Duty had 3 top-10 finishes in our last weekend on track, including leading much of the second half of the KerbyStrong 100 at Macon before a battery issue took him out of contention down the stretch. Duty holds a 4-point lead over Allen Weisser and is 60 markers ahead of Springfield, Illinois driver Jake Little.
This weekend the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends kicks off the doubleheader on Friday, August 23 at the Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Illinois for the Gary Gerstner Memorial Presented by St. Louis Screw & Bolt. Gary was a long-time supporter of the dirt racing community and owned/sponsored numerous Late Models over the years. He owned Gerstner Plumbing in Breese, Illinois for over 40 years. This will mark the 14th visit for the MARS Late Models to the 3/8-mile dirt oval with the most recent being championship night last September when Mike Harrison picked up his first career series victory over an impressive 36 car field.
As the checkered flag flies on Friday’s event, teams, officials, and fans alike will make the 2 ½ trip east to the beautiful Red Hill Raceway located in Sumner, Illinois for the Saturday, August 24 event. Red Hill is another track on the MARS schedule that somewhat is still an unknown to many of the teams of the tour. After sitting dormant for over 2 decades, Jeremy Sneed brought the track back from the dead in 2022 and has held a handful of Late Model specials since, including the inaugural Red Hill Rumble last season for the MARS Late Model tour. Brandon Sheppard took home the victory in the event last season over Tanner English and Drake Troutman.
Friday, August 23
Tri-City Speedway
Granite City, Illinois
Gary Gerstner Memorial Presented by St. Louis Screw & Bolt
$5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
DIRTcar UMP Modifieds
B Modifieds
DIRTcar 4 Cylinders
DIRTcar Factory Stocks
Kids Modz
Pits open at 4:00 P.M.
Grandstands open at 5:30 P.M.
Drivers Meeting at 6:00 P.M.
Hot Laps at 6:30 P.M.
Adult General Admission $25
General Admission for Kids 12 and under FREE
Pit Pass $40
Pit Pass for Kids ages 6-12 $15
Pit Pass for Kids 5 and under FREE
Saturday, August 24
Red Hill Raceway
Sumner, IL
Red Hill Rumble
$5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
DIRTcar UMP Modifieds
B Modifieds
DIRTcar 4 Cylinders
Pits open at 4:00 P.M.
Grandstands open at 5:00 P.M.
Drivers Meeting at 5:30 P.M.
Hot Laps at 6:00 P.M.
Adult General Admission $25
General Admission for Kids ages 6-12 $5
Kids ages 5 and under FREE
Pit Pass $40
Pit Pass for Kids ages 10 and under $25
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 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
MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Point Standings (Top 15)
- Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 648 Points
- Ryan Unzicker – El Paso, IL – 611 Points
- Justin Duty – Molalla, OR – 487 Points
- Bob Gardner – Washington, IL – 486 Points
- Allen Weisser – Peoria, IL – 483 Points
- Kye Blight – Bunbury, Western Australia – 434 Points
- Jake Little – Springfield, IL – 427 Points
- Daniel Adam – Peru, IL – 401 Points
- McKay Wenger – Fairbury, IL – 389 Points
- Mitch McGrath – Waukesha, WI – 351 Points
- Mark Voigt – Marine, IL – 321 Points
- Dale Markham – Maple Park, IL – 302 Points
- Mike Spatola – Manhattan, IL – 274 Points
- Frank Heckenast Jr – Frankfort, IL – 260 Points
- Rich Bell – Sheffield, IL – 237 Points
MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Standings
- Justin Duty – 487 Points
- Allen Weisser – 483 Points
- Jake Little – 427 Points
- Daniel Adam – 401 Points
- Mitch McGrath – 351 Points
- Dale Markham – 302 Points
- Terry Bolin – 212 Points
- Colby Sheppard – 196 Points
2024 MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Statistics
Pontiac RV Heat Race #1 Winners
Jason Feger - 3
Colby Sheppard - 1
Mike Harrison - 1
Allen Weisser - 1
Brian Shirley - 1
Gordy Gundaker - 1
Dennis Erb Jr - 1
Garrett Alberson - 1
FK Rod Ends 1st Place Finisher
Jason Feger - 4
Ryan Unzicker - 3
Dillon McCowan - 1
Brian Shirley - 1
Dennis Erb Jr - 1
FK Rod Ends 5th Place Finisher
Bob Gardner - 2
Matt Bailey - 2
Allen Weisser - 2
Kevin Weaver - 1
Jake Little - 1
Chad Simpson - 1
Kye Blight - 1
Fairbury Fasteners 7th Place Finisher
Kye Blight - 3
Mike Spatola - 1
Mark Voigt - 1
McKay Wenger - 1
Ryan Unzicker - 1
Justin Duty - 1
Mitch McGrath - 1
Rich Bell - 1
Budda by Bert Transmission 9th Place Finisher
Rich Bell - 1
Turk Letizia - 1
Daniel Adam - 1
Myles Moos - 1
Donny Walden - 1
Aaron Marrant - 1
Mitch McGrath - 1
Allen Weisser - 1
Jayme Zidar - 1
Bob Gardner - 1
Hooker Harness 11th Place Finisher
Kye Blight - 1
Justin Duty - 1
Darrel Moser Jr - 1
Daniel Adam - 1
Aaron Marrant - 1
Rusty Griffaw - 1
Rickey Frankel - 1
Mike Provenzano - 1
Jake Little - 1
Shawn Mulvany - 1
Keyser Manufacturing 13th Place Finisher
Bob Gardner - 1
Dale Markham - 1
Jason Suhre - 1
Jeffrey Ledford - 1
Allen Weisser - 1
Gordy Gundaker - 1
Jason Perry - 1
Daniel Adam - 1
Curtis Eller - 1
Gary Webb - 1
Fast Shafts 15th Place Finisher
Brian Shirley - 1
Jake Little - 1
Jordan Bauer - 1
Timmy Dick - 1
Kye Blight - 1
Trey Mills - 1
Colby Sheppard - 1
Jeremy Spoonmore - 1
Dakota Ewing - 1
Camden Gardner - 1
MSD Hard Charger Award Winners
Bob Gardner - 2
Frank Heckenast Jr - 1
Turk Letizia - 1
Kye Blight - 1
Dale Markham - 1
Jason Perry - 1
Mike Provenzano - 1
Allen Weisser - 1
Rich Bell - 1
Wilwood Brakes Hard Luck Award Winners
Mark Voigt - 1
David Marlow - 1
Michael Kloos – 1
Frank Heckenast Jr – 1
Rich Bell - 1
Dustin Hodges - 1
Dale Markham - 1
Colby Sheppard - 1
Greg Kimmons - 1
Matt Ryan - 1
Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winners
Allen Weisser - 5
Jake Little - 2
Tommy Sheppard Jr - 1
Justin Duty - 1
Mitch McGrath - 1
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR:
• HOT STREAK: Ryan Unzicker seems to be poised for a run at his second ever MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends title after finishing no worse than 2nd in the last 4 MARS events. Unzicker took last week off in preparation for the busy slate of MARS events coming up in the next two weeks.
• CAN HE FIND VICTORY LANE: The feel-good story of the summer has to be the emergence of Oregon driver Justin Duty. After making an audible in April to decide to follow the MARS tour, Duty has shown plenty of flashes of speed over the course of the season. Although he only has 1 top-5 finish to his credit this season, he is more than capable to pull off his first career series victory. Will it be this weekend?
• ROLLERCOASTER ON THE RISE: One driver on the MARS tour that was certainly looking for more in 2024, is Springfield, Illinois driver Jake Little. With plenty of speed, and growing experience in the Super Late Model, all signs pointed to a strong 2024 campaign following his third-place finish on opening night at Peoria. Since then, Jake has been on quite the rollercoaster, yet still in contention for a podium finish in series standings although he currently sits 7th. After equaling, or bettering, his finish each event since July 20, does Little find his way back onto the podium Friday night after his 4th place finish at East Moline?
• MIA: One driver notably missing in action at our last event (at East Moline Speedway) was Peoria, Illinois driver Allen Weisser. Weisser surrendered the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year points lead and third in points with the miss. One thing to keep in mind is that with drivers dropping their two worst finishes prior to FALS Frenzy championship weekend, Weisser is still very much in the driver’s seat for a third-place finish in season standings if he continues with the tour.
• BUSY STRETCH: The next two weeks will prove to be as important as any for the tour as 5 of the last 9 remaining events on the calendar will be held in a 10-day span beginning with Friday at Tri-City Speedway.
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
• August 23, 2024 - Tri City Speedway - Granite City, IL - Gary Gerstner Memorial Presented by St. Louis Screw & Bolt - $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
• August 24, 2024 - Red Hill Raceway - Sumner, IL - Red Hill Rumble - $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
• August 30, 2024 - Farmer City Raceway - Farmer City, IL - Chuckwagon Food Services 40 - $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
• August 31, 2024 - Fairbury Speedway - Fairbury, IL - Triple Down Shootout Presented by First Student & Livingston Stone Company - $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends & $3,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
• September 1, 2024 - Spoon River Speedway - Lewistown, IL - Plowboy Nationals - $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends & $5,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
Article Credit: Jonathan Clayton
Submitted By: Jonathan Clayton