9/9/2024
MARS - Midwest Auto Racing Series
MARS Championship Tours Set for Brownstown 100 & USA World 50
MARS Championship Tours Set for Brownstown 100 & USA World 50
FAIRBURY, IL (September 9, 2024) – With only four races left on the 2024 calendar for each series, the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends & MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment teams are prepared to make one final push for the season. Not only will drivers be looking to improve their finishes before the two drop nights are taken out of the equation, but this weekend is one of the largest overall purse weekends of the entire season.
Friday, September 13, the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends & MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment tours head to the Brownstown Bullring in Brownstown, Illinois for the 2nd annual Brownstown 100 Presented by McKay Napa Auto Parts. This event will feature a 50-lap $10,000-to-win MARS Late Model showdown, and new for 2024, a 50-lap $3,000-to-win MARS Modified main event. Not only will the feature winners receive a nice payday, but they will receive what has become one of the most coveted trophies in the state of Illinois. Last season it was Tanner English topping a 35-car field in MARS Late Model competition over Jason Feger and Ryan Unzicker. Owensboro, Kentucky driver Tyler Nicely took home the DIRTcar UMP Modified portion of the event over Lucas Lee, Cole Falloway, and 21 other competitors. Brownstown Bullring was set to be the home of the MARS Late Model series opener back in April but was claimed by mother nature.
On Saturday, September 14, competitors from both the MARS Late Model & MARS Modified tours will make the easy 2 ½ hour drive south to the Paducah International Raceway in Paducah, Kentucky for the 32nd annual USA World 50. The USA World 50 has traditionally been the largest event of the season at PIR, and this year is no exception as the MARS Late Models will be racing for $12,000-to-win while the MARS Modifieds will run 25 laps for a $3,000 top prize. The event will boast the highest total purse for a MARS event in 2024, with the exception of Championship Saturday of the FALS Frenzy. Saturday will mark the first time since August of 2015 that the MARS Late Model tour will invade the 3/8-mile dirt oval and the first time ever for the MARS Modified tour after numerous tries last season were claimed by mother nature.
PAST USA WORLD 50 WINNERS
1978: Jerry Inmon
1979: Jerry Inmon
1980: Tom Helfrich
1981: Larry Moore
1982: Russ Petro
1983: Phil Gregory
1984: Jeff Purvis
1985: Larry Moore
1986: Larry Moore
1987: Billy Moyer
1996: Kevin Claycomb
1997: Randy Sellers
1998: Terry English
1999: Billy Drake
2000: Terry English
2001: Bob Pierce
2002: Terry English
2003: Don O'Neal
2004: Terry English
2006: Brian Shirley
2007: Billy Frye
2008: Brian Shirley
2009: Brian Shirley
2010: Billy Moyer
2011: Shannon Babb
2012: Jason Feger
2013: Jason Feger
2014: Jason Feger
2015: Jason Feger
2022: Tanner English
2023: Brian Shirley
Jason Feger continues to hold down the lead in MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends standings, but Ryan Unzicker has shrunk the gap to only 15 points (before drop nights) with 4 races remaining. After a strong showing over Labor Day weekend, Justin Duty has climbed back to third while Bob Gardner and Kye Blight round out the top-5. Although he has not yet clinched, Justin Duty seems primed to take home Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year honors this season as he holds a 109-point lead over Daniel Adam.
Defending series champion, Michael Long, continues to show the way in MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment standings while Mike McKinney, Ray Bollinger, Zeke McKenzie, and Lyndon Whitfill continue to hold down their positions in the top-5 with 4 races left to race. All 3 Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year contenders are within 100 points of each other while Lyndon Whitfill shows the way with Kyle Hammer and Jarrett Stryker trailing him, heading into Brownstown Friday.
Friday, September 13
Brownstown Bullring
Brownstown, IL
Brownstown 100 Presented by McKay Napa Auto Parts
$10,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
$3,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
B-Mods
DIRTcar Factory Stocks
DIRTcar Four Cylinders
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 $35
General Admission for Kids 10 and under FREE
Pit Pass $45
Pit Pass for Kids ages 6-12 $25
Pit Pass for Kids 5 and under FREE
Saturday, September 14
Paducah International Raceway
Paducah, KY
USA World 50
$12,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
$3,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
602 Late Models
Street Stocks
Factory Stocks
DIRTcar Four Cylinders
Pits open at 3:00 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 $35
General Admission for Kids ages 6-12 $10
General Admission for Kids 5 and under FREE
Pit Pass $50
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 Friday A-Main payout: 1) $10,000 2) $5,000 3) $2,500 4) $1,600 5) $1,400 6) $1,200 7) $1,000 8. $950 9) $900 10) $800 11) $750 12) $650 13) $600 14) $600 15) $600 16) $600 17) $600 18) $600 19) $600 20) $600 21) $600 22) $600. Non-Transfer Tow Money - $95
MARS Modified Friday A-Main payout: 1) $3,000 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 - $70
MARS Late Model Saturday A-Main payout: 1) $12,000 2) $6,000 3) $3,000 4) $2,500 5) $2,000 6) $1,600 7) $1,400 8. $1,200 9) $1,100 10) $1,000 11) $700 12) $700 13) $700 14) $700 15) $700 16) $700 17) $700 18) $700 19) $700 20) $700 21) $700 22) $700. Non-Transfer Tow Money - $100
MARS Modified Saturday A-Main payout: 1) $3,000 2) $1,500 3) $1,200 4) $1,100 5) $1,000 6) $800 7) $600 8. $550 9) $500 10) $400 11) $300 12) $300 13) $300 14) $300 15) $300 16) $300 17) $300 18) $300 19) $300 20) $300 21) $300 22) $300. Non-Transfer Tow Money - $75
MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Point Standings (Top 10)
- Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 891 Points
- Ryan Unzicker – El Paso, IL – 876 Points
- Justin Duty – Molalla, OR – 707 Points
- Bob Gardner – Washington, IL – 683 Points
- Kye Blight – Bunbury, Western Australia – 609 Points
- Daniel Adam – Peru, IL – 598 Points
- McKay Wenger – Fairbury, IL – 529 Points
- Mark Voigt – Marine, IL – 503 Points
- Allen Weisser – Peoria, IL – 483 Points
- Dale Markham – Maple Park, IL – 440 Points
MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Standings
- Justin Duty – 707 Points
- Daniel Adam – 598 Points
- Dale Markham – 440 Points
MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Point Standings (Top 10)
- Michael Long – Fowler, IL – 841 Points
- Mike McKinney – Plainfield, IL – 690 Points
- Ray Bollinger – Kewanee, IL – 568 Points
- Zeke McKenzie – Claypool, IN – 539 Points
- Lyndon Whitfill – Fairbuy, IL – 467 Points
- Kyle Hammer – Clinton, IL – 448 Points
- Cole Falloway – Owensboro, KY – 383 Points
- Jarrett Stryker – Breese, IL – 379 Points
- Dylan Woodling – Warsaw, IN – 356 Points
- Mike Chasteen Jr. – Peoria, IL – 323 Points
MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Standings
- Lyndon Whitfill – 467 points
- Kyle Hammer – 448 Points
- Jarrett Stryker – 379 points
2024 MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Statistics
Pontiac RV Heat Race #1 Winners
Jason Feger - 4
Colby Sheppard - 1
Mike Harrison - 1
Allen Weisser - 1
Brian Shirley - 1
Gordy Gundaker - 1
Dennis Erb Jr - 1
Garrett Alberson - 1
Shannon Babb - 1
Kye Blight - 1
McKay Wenger - 1
FK Rod Ends 1st Place Finisher
Jason Feger - 4
Ryan Unzicker - 4
Dillon McCowan - 1
Brian Shirley - 1
Dennis Erb Jr - 1
Daniel Adam - 1
Shannon Babb - 1
McKay Wenger - 1
FK Rod Ends 5th Place Finisher
Bob Gardner - 2
Matt Bailey - 2
Allen Weisser - 2
Kye Blight - 2
Kevin Weaver - 1
Jake Little - 1
Chad Simpson - 1
Shannon Babb - 1
Justin Duty - 1
Dennis Erb Jr - 1
Fairbury Fasteners 7th Place Finisher
Kye Blight - 3
Mark Voigt - 3
Mike Spatola - 1
McKay Wenger - 1
Ryan Unzicker - 1
Justin Duty - 1
Mitch McGrath - 1
Rich Bell - 1
Bob Gardner - 1
Brandon Eskew - 1
Budda by Bert Transmission 9th Place Finisher
Joe Chalmers - 2
Bob Gardner - 2
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
Chad Finley - 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
Doug Tye - 1
Terry Bolin - 1
Brayton Wallace - 1
Bob Gardner - 1
Keyser Manufacturing 13th Place Finisher
Daniel Adam - 2
Bob Gardner - 1
Dale Markham - 1
Jason Suhre - 1
Jeffrey Ledford - 1
Allen Weisser - 1
Gordy Gundaker - 1
Jason Perry - 1
Curtis Eller - 1
Gary Webb - 1
Justin Duty - 1
Kyle McMahon - 1
Devin McLean - 1
Fast Shafts 15th Place Finisher
Tucker Finch - 2
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
Lee Williams - 1
Daniel Adam - 1
MSD Hard Charger Award Winners
Bob Gardner - 2
Dale Markham - 2
Mark Voigt - 2
Frank Heckenast Jr - 1
Turk Letizia - 1
Kye Blight - 1
Jason Perry - 1
Mike Provenzano - 1
Allen Weisser - 1
Rich Bell - 1
Terry Bolin - 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
Terry Bolin - 1
Blaze Burwell - 1
Thomas Hunziker - 1
Logan Moody - 1
Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winners
Allen Weisser - 5
Justin Duty - 4
Jake Little - 2
Tommy Sheppard Jr - 1
Mitch McGrath - 1
Daniel Adam - 1
2024 MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Statistics
Multi Fire X Fast Time Award Winners
Mike McKinney - 5
Austin Friedman - 2
Michael Long - 2
Derek Losh - 1
Hunt Gossum - 1
Will Krup - 1
Willy’s Carb & Dyno Heat Race #1 Winners
Michael Long - 2
Mike McKinney - 2
Charlie Mefford - 1
Derek Losh - 1
Ray Bollinger - 1
Zeke McKenzie - 1
Dylan Woodling - 1
Will Krup - 1
Michael Ledford - 1
Mike Chasteen Jr - 1
Lethal Chassis Heat Race #2 Winners
Michael Long - 5
Josh Harris - 1
Mike McKinney - 1
Michael Ledford - 1
Dean Hoffman - 1
Austen Becerra - 1
Lyndon Whitfill - 1
Trent Young - 1
Summit Racing Equipment 1st Place Finisher
Michael Long - 8
Mike Harrison - 2
Cole Falloway - 2
Mike McKinney - 1
Will Krup - 1
Fast Shafts 3rd Place Finisher
Michael Ledford - 2
Mike McKinney - 2
Zeke McKenzie - 2
Kyle Steffens - 1
Trey Harris - 1
Dillon Nusbaum - 1
Dean Hoffman - 1
Austin Friedman - 1
Ryan Thomas - 1
Trent Young - 1
Charlie Mefford - 1
Keyser Manufacturing 7th Place Finisher
Ray Bollinger - 2
Treb Jacoby - 2
Kyle Hammer - 2
Allen Weisser - 1
Dylan Woodling - 1
Chad Sellers - 1
Brad Deyoung - 1
Mason Duncan - 1
Frank Marshall - 1
Will Krup - 1
Dave Wietholder - 1
Hooker Harness 11th Place Finisher
Cole Falloway - 1
Trevor Neville - 1
Rick Salter - 1
Caden McWhorter - 1
Lyndon Whitfill - 1
Jeremy Pate - 1
Lucas Lee - 1
Jason Hollon - 1
Blake Brown - 1
Dylan Woodling - 1
Jarrett Stryker - 1
Shawn Deering - 1
Steven Brooks - 1
Josh Allen - 1
MD3 Hard Charger Award Winners
Zeke McKenzie - 2
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
Kelly Kovski - 1
Treb Jacoby - 1
Dave Wietholder - 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
Justin McCoy - 1
Josh Harris - 1
Justin Reed - 1
Charlie Mefford - 1
Lyndon Whitfill - 1
Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winners
Kyle Hammer - 6
Trey Harris - 2
Mason Duncan - 2
Lyndon Whitfill - 2
Treb Jacoby - 1
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR:
• DESTINED FOR VICTORY: One driver to keep your eye on this weekend that it seems is overdue for a big victory is Molalla, Oregon driver, Justin Duty. Duty has been in the mix in the front of the pack frequently over the past couple of months but has been bit by misfortune on numerous occasions. Can Duty find victory lane this weekend?
• KING OF THE BULLRING: It’s hard not to mention Highland, Illinois driver, Jacob Steinkoenig, when talking about one of the most improved drivers in the state over the course of this season. Jacob currently leads the Brownstown Bullring track points and picked up a feature win in their most recent night of competition. Last season he picked up a single victory and 15 top-10’s on his season, and with racing still to come this year, Steinkoenig has captured 5 feature wins and 20 top-10 finishes already.
• THE KING OF PIR: If there is one driver that is looking forward to Saturday night more than anyone, it has to be the defending points champion, Jason Feger. For over the past decade, Feger has collected numerous victories at the 3/8-mile dirt oval. His most recent was a $5,000 payday back in April.
• REGION’S FINEST: Historically, he has always been one of the best in the region. But this year, the numbers show that Crofton, Kentucky driver, Trent Young, is THE best Modified driver in the region when racing in Western Kentucky. Young has won 4 of the last 6 races he has entered overall and has picked up wins at all 4 active dirt tracks in Western Kentucky this season.
• AND THEN THERE WAS ONE: One final weekend remains for the MARS Championship Tours, after this weekend, as the season will culminate at Fairbury Speedway on October 4 & 5 for the FALS Frenzy Presented by Edelman Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Electric & Solar. A complete show each night will be highlighted by a $12,000-to-win Late Model finale and a $3,000-to-win Modified finale to wrap up the 2024 season.
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
• September 13, 2024 - Brownstown Bullring - Brownstown, IL - Brownstown 100 Presented by McKay Napa Auto Parts - $10,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends & $3,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
• September 14, 2024 - Paducah International Raceway - Paducah, KY - USA World 50 - $12,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends & $3,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
• October 4, 2024 - Fairbury Speedway - Fairbury, IL - FALS Frenzy Presented by Edelman Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Electric, & Solar - $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
• October 5, 2024 - Fairbury Speedway - Fairbury, IL - FALS Frenzy Presented by Edelman Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Electric, & Solar - $12,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends & $3,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
Article Credit: Jonathan Clayton
Submitted By: Jonathan Clayton