---

MARS Dirt Series Roars to Life with Labor Day Weekend Triple-Header

MARS Dirt Series Roars to Life with Labor Day Weekend Triple-Header

FAIRBURY, IL (August 27, 2025) – With a pair of great nights of racing last weekend at Kankakee County Speedway and Red Hill Raceway in the record books, attention now turns to one of the most highly anticipated weekends on the schedule: Labor Day weekend. Labor Day weekend to many means relaxation, family time, and the unofficial end of summer, but for the MARS Championship Tours it means all of that and more. This weekend is about highlighting three of the marquee tracks in Central Illinois with high profile events, and big money on the line. Farmer City Raceway, Fairbury Speedway, and Spoon River Speedway are next up on the docket to close out the month of August.

Action gets underway on Friday, August 29, with the Chuckwagon Food Services 40 for the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends at the Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois. With showers and storms hampering the event in 2024, and ultimately leading to the cancelation of racing that evening just after drivers meeting time, the series looks to successfully help the speedway close out their 2025 racing calendar with a completed event this go-around. MARS Late Models will battle 40 laps for a $5,000 top prize for their first of three nights on the weekend. The racing surface has been one of the best in the country in producing exciting action at each of their special events in 2025, and this Friday promises to showcase just that. The MARS tour visited the speedway back in July as part of the 15th annual Jr. Kimler Memorial where current series points leader Jason Feger was able to take home the victory over Justin Duty and Shannon Babb. Donny Walden officially captured the 2025 Farmer City Raceway track championship following their regular season finale last weekend.

Saturday, August 30, will feature one of the biggies this season for both the Fairbury Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois and the MARS Championship Tours. The 2nd annual Illinois Dirt Shootout will include a $10,000-to-win 50-lap MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends event paired with a $10,000-to-win 50-lap MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment show. The inaugural event was held last season on Memorial Day weekend where over 200 entries were cut down to a list of 180 MARS Modified drivers that were invited to take part in the event. Over 120 Modifieds filled the pit area and Highland, Illinois driver Mike Harrison took home the inaugural championship of the event. While there isn’t expected to be 120+ Modifieds in the pit area this year, over 50 of the best DIRTcar UMP Modified drivers in the country are expected to converge at “America’s Dirt Track” this Saturday evening. Both series have had a single stop at FALS in 2025 where Jason Feger and Derek Losh found the checkered flag first in their respective divisions. An added addition to the night will be the make-up Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Prairie Dirt Classic feature at the conclusion of the night paying $5,000-to-win for their series finale.

Rounding out the trio of events for Labor Day weekend will be a trip to the Spoon River Speedway in Canton, Illinois for the 35th running of the Plowboy Nationals. The event has had different looks over the course of the 35-year history, but the thing that has remained constant is that the Modifieds have always taken center stage. The MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment portion of the event will once again pay $5,000-to-win and go 50 laps in distance while the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends will also compete for a $5,000 top prize. Both tours visited the speedway back in May for the Gary Cook Jr. Memorial where Dennis Erb Jr. and Tyler Nicely took home feature wins.

Plowboy Nationals Past Winners

1991 – Scott May
1992 – Randy Mahring
1993 – Jim Hibser
1994 – Scott May
1995 – Jim Hibser
1996 – Bryan Clendenen
1997 – Billy Tuckwell
1998 – Randy Mahring
1999 – Jeff Leka
2000 – Gary Cook Jr
2001 – Gary Cook Jr
2002 – Jim Hibser
2003 – Gary Cook Jr
2004 – Chad Kinder
2005 – Gary Cook Jr
2006 – Jim Hibser
2007 – Butch Weisser
2008 – Kevin Weaver
2009 – Allen Weisser
2010 – Mike Spatola
2011 – Brian Harris
2012 – Matt Mevert
2013 – Jeff Curl
2014 – Jacob Poel
2015 – Chad Kinder
2016 – Kenny Wallace
2017 – David Stremme
2018 – Mike Chasteen Jr
2019 – Nick Hoffman
2020 – Nick Hoffman
2021 – Nick Hoffman
2022 – Tyler Nicely
2023 – Ethan Dotson
2024 – Cole Falloway

With an absolutely perfect weather forecast projected for all three days, at three of the best racetracks in the entire region, look for stacked fields in both divisions throughout the holiday weekend!

Jason Feger continues to lead the way in MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends season standings with Ryan Unzicker, Tony Jackson Jr, Shannon Babb, and Justin Duty rounding out the top 5.

Daryn Klein has been in command of the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year chase the majority of the season, but the gap is closing quickly behind him. Only 20 points separate he, Jake Little, and Jeff Herzog with Brennon Willard just a bit behind those drivers in fourth.

Cole Falloway continues the hunt for his first career MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment title as he leads the tour back into action for the first time since mid-July. Trevor Neville, Michael Ledford, Beau DeYoung, and Ray Bollinger round out the top 5 and all are separated by only 110 points.

Beau DeYoung continues to have a commanding lead in Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year standings for the MARS Modifieds. Damian Kiefer, Alan Stipp, Ryan Hamilton, and Mark Rhoades round out the top 5.

Event Info

Friday, August 29

Farmer City Raceway
Farmer City, Illinois

Chuckwagon Outpost 40

$5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
DIRTcar UMP Modifieds
DIRTcar Pro Late Models

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 for Kids ages 12 and under FREE

Pit Pass $40
Pit Pass for Kids ages 5-12 $20
Pit Pass for Kids ages 4 and under FREE

Saturday, August 30

Fairbury Speedway
Fairbury, Illinois

Illinois Dirt Shootout

$10,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
$10,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
$5,000-to-win Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Prairie Dirt Classic Make-up Feature

Pits open at 12:00 P.M.
Grandstands open at 12:00 P.M.
Drivers Meeting at 5:00 P.M.
Hot Laps at 5:30 P.M.

Adult General Admission $30
General Admission for Kids ages 12 and under FREE

Pit Pass $45
Pit Pass for Kids ages 12 and under $15

Sunday, August 31

Spoon River Speedway
Canton, Illinois

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
Sprint Invaders
B-Mods
DIRTcar Hornets

Pits open at 2:00 P.M.
Grandstands open at 4:00 P.M.
Drivers Meeting at 5:00 P.M.
Hot Laps at 5:30 P.M.

Adult General Admission $30
General Admission for Kids ages 10 and under FREE

Pit Pass $45
Pit Pass for Kids ages 5 and under 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)

Grooving and Siping will be permitted.

Event Purses

MARS Late Model Friday & Sunday A-Main payout: 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 - Friday $115 Sunday $120

MARS Late Model Saturday A-Main payout: 1) $10,000 2) $5,000 3) $2,500 4) $2,000 5) $1,600 6) $1,400 7) $1,200 8) $1,000 9) $900 10) $800 11) $700 12) $600 13) $600 14) $600 15) $600 16) $600 17) $600 18) $600 19) $600 20) $600 21) $600 22) $600. Non-Transfer Tow Money – $120

MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Saturday A-Main payout: 1) $10,000 2) $5,000 3) $2,500 4) $2,000 5) $1,500 6) $1,250 7) $1,000 8) $900 9) $800 10) $700 11) $600 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 - $70

MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Sunday A-Main payout: 1) $5,000 2) $2,500 3) $1,500 4) $1,200 5) $1,000 6) $900 7) $800 8. $700 9) $600 10) $500 11) $400 12) $400 13) $400 14) $400 15) $400 16) $400 17) $400 18) $400 19) $400 20) $400 21) $400 22) $400. Non-Transfer Tow Money - $70

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Point Standings (Top 15)

1. Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 1037 Points
2. Ryan Unzicker – El Paso, IL – 972 Points
3. Tony Jackson Jr – Lebanon, MO – 901 Points
4. Shannon Babb – Moweaqua, IL – 896 Points
5. Justin Duty – Molalla, OR – 830 Points
6. Daryn Klein – Fairview Heights, IL – 685 Points
7. Jake Little – Springfield, IL – 681 Points
8. Jeff Herzog – Festus, MO – 665 Points
9. Brennon Willard – Lebanon, MO – 576 Points
10. Dennis Erb Jr – Carpentersville, IL – 557 Points
11. McKay Wenger – Fairbury, IL – 506 Points
12. Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 465 Points
13. Mark Voigt – Marine, IL – 460 Points
14. Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 445 Points
15. Bob Gardner – Washington, IL – 441 Points

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Standings

1. Daryn Klein – Fairview Heights – 685 Points
2. Jake Little – Springfield, IL – 681 Points
3. Jeff Herzog – Festus, MO – 665 Points
4. Brennon Willard – Lebanon, MO – 576 Points

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

1. Cole Falloway – Owensboro, KY – 609 Points
2. Trevor Neville – Mackinaw, IL – 572 Points
3. Michael Ledford – Pontiac, IL – 519 Points
4. Beau DeYoung – DeMotte, IN – 509 Points
5. Ray Bollinger – Kewanee, IL – 499 Points
6. Damian Kiefer – Ste. Genevieve, MO – 402 Points
7. Michael Long – Fowler, IL – 390 Points
8. Alan Stipp – Chatsworth, IL – 374 Points
9. Kyle Hammer – Clinton, IL – 354 Points
10. Ryan Hamilton – Fairview Heights, IL – 336 Points
11. Chase Holland – Success, MS – 328 Points
12. Mark Rhoades – West Chicago, IL – 277 Points
13. Austin Friedman – Fairbury, IL – 275 Points
14. Dave Wietholder – Liberty, IL – 275 Points
15. Zach Taylor – Springfield, IL – 271 Points

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Point Standings (Top 5)

1. Beau DeYoung – DeMotte, IN – 509 Points
2. Damian Kiefer – Ste. Genevieve, MO – 402 Points
3. Alan Stipp – Chatsworth, IL – 374 Points
4. Ryan Hamilton – Fairview Heights, IL – 336 Points
5. Mark Rhoades – West Chicago, IL – 277 Points

2025 MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Statistics

Pontiac RV Heat Race #1 Winner

Shannon Babb – 4
Brian Shirley – 2
Bobby Pierce – 2
Tony Jackson Jr – 2
Ricky Thornton Jr – 1
Carson Ferguson – 1
Drake Troutman – 1
Allen Weisser – 1
Jason Feger – 1
Ashton Winger – 1
Daryn Klein – 1
Mike Spatola – 1
Jake Little – 1

FK Rod Ends 1st Place Finisher

Bobby Pierce – 6
Jason Feger – 5
Ryan Unzicker – 3
Brandon Sheppard – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Ashton Winger – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 1
Tyler Erb – 1
Tony Jackson Jr – 1

FK Rod Ends 5th Place Finisher

Tony Jackson Jr – 4
Justin Duty – 2
Garrett Alberson – 1
Ryan Gustin – 1
Brian Shirley – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Allen Weisser – 1
Austin Howes – 1
Jordan Bauer – 1
Guy Taylor – 1
McKay Wenger – 1
Ashton Winger – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
Chris Simpson – 1
Jeff Herzog – 1
Jason Feger – 1

Fairbury Fasteners 7th Place Finisher

Jeff Herzog – 3
McKay Wenger – 2
Jason Feger – 2
Daryn Klein – 2
Justin Duty – 2
Ryan Gustin – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 1
Daniel Adam – 1
Garrett Alberson – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
Bob Gardner – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Rusty Griffaw – 1
Dillon McCowan – 1

Budda by Bert Transmission 9th Place Finisher

Jason Feger – 4
Brian Shirley – 2
Shannon Babb – 2
Jake Little – 2
Dylan Thornton – 1
Brennon Willard – 1
Mike Harrison – 1
Jordan Bauer – 1
Justin Duty – 1
Tyler Erb – 1
Kayden Clatt – 1
Billy Moyer Jr – 1
Todd Rehg – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1

Hooker Harness 11th Place Finisher

Shannon Babb – 1
Bob Gardner – 1
Derrick Stewart – 1
Chris Simpson – 1
Garrett Alberson – 1
Tony Jackson Jr – 1
Justin Duty – 1
Mike McKinney – 1
Blaze Burwell – 1
Jeffrey Ledford – 1
Trevor Gundaker – 1
McKay Wenger – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 1
Jeff Herzog – 1
Jason Wagner – 1
Zach Taylor – 1
Mike Provenzano – 1
Mark Voigt – 1
Paul Parker – 1
Todd Rehg – 1

Keyser Manufacturing 13th Place Finisher

Bob Gardner – 2
Daryn Klein – 2
Zach Taylor – 2
Chris Simpson – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
McKay Wenger – 1
Trevor Gundaker – 1
Mike McKinney – 1
Guy Taylor – 1
Reid Millard – 1
Mike Provenzano – 1
Mike Spatola – 1
Brian Shirley – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Tommy Sheppard Jr – 1
Mark Voigt – 1
Lee Williams – 1

Fast Shafts 15th Place Finisher

Justin Duty – 2
McKay Wenger – 2
Jake Little – 2
Mike Spatola – 1
Chad Simpson – 1
Andy Clark – 1
Mark Voigt – 1
Austin Howes – 1
Myles Moos – 1
Aaron Marrant – 1
Rich Bell – 1
Daryn Klein – 1
Roben Huffman – 1
Kayden Clatt – 1
Billy Moyer Jr – 1
Mike Lofgren – 1
Zak Blackwood – 1

MD3 Hard Charger Award Winner

Tony Jackson Jr – 3
Ryan Unzicker – 3
Jason Feger – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 1
Daryn Klein – 1
Bob Gardner – 1
Trevor Gundaker – 1
Mike Provenzano – 1
Brennon Willard – 1
Bobby Pierce – 1
Jason Wagner – 1
Jake Little – 1
Greg Cantrell – 1
Greg Kimmons – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Todd Rehg – 1

Wilwood Brakes Hard Luck Award Winner

Bob Gardner – 3
Ryan Unzicker – 2
Gordy Gundaker – 1
Dylan Thornton – 1
Frank Heckenast Jr – 1
Kayden Clatt – 1
Cody Maguire – 1
Guy Taylor – 1
Rodney Melvin – 1
Brian Shirley – 1
Thomas Hunziker – 1
Daryn Klein – 1
Michael Kloos – 1
Jeremy Spoonmore – 1
Quenton Lewis – 1
Justin Duty – 1
Jon Woods – 1

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winner

Daryn Klein – 8
Jeff Herzog – 7
Jake Little – 4
Austin Howes – 1

2025 MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Statistics

Multi Fire X Fast Time Award Winner

Cole Falloway – 2
Michael Long – 2
Chase Holland – 1
Dave Wietholder – 1
Ray Bollinger – 1
Derek Losh – 1
Will Krup – 1
Trevor Neville – 1

Willy’s Carb & Dyno Heat Race #1 Winner

Chase Holland – 2
Michael Long – 2
Trevor Neville – 2
Cole Falloway – 1
Kyle Hammer – 1
Landen Miller – 1
Will Krup – 1

Lethal Chassis Heat Race #2 Winner

Kyle Hammer – 2
Cole Falloway – 2
Ray Bollinger – 2
Mike McKinney – 1
Michael Ledford – 1
Trevor Neville – 1
Carson Friedman – 1

Allgaier Performance Heat Race #3 Winner

Cole Falloway – 3
Beau DeYoung – 2
Michael Long – 1
Adam Pockrus – 1
Derek Losh – 1
Trevor Neville – 1
Ray Bollinger – 1

Shepard Synthetics 1st Place Finisher

Michael Ledford – 2
Trevor Neville – 2
Mike McKinney – 1
Michael Long – 1
Josh Harris – 1
Derek Losh – 1
Tyler Nicely – 1
Ryan Hamilton – 1

Summit Racing Equipment 2nd Place Finisher

Cole Falloway – 5
Michael Long – 2
Michael Ledford – 1
Will Krup – 1
Dave Wietholder – 1

Fast Shafts 3rd Place Finisher

Trevor Neville – 2
Michael Ledford – 2
Michael Long – 1
Kyle Hammer – 1
Steven Brooks – 1
Beau DeYoung – 1
Austin Friedman – 1
Kenny Wallace – 1

Keyser Manufacturing 7th Place Finisher

Beau DeYoung – 3
Tyler Nicely – 1
Austin Friedman – 1
Mike McKinney – 1
Ray Bollinger – 1
Owen Steinkoenig – 1
Cole Falloway – 1
Michael Ledford – 1

Hooker Harness 11th Place Finisher

Alan Stipp – 2
Carson Friedman – 1
Trevor Neville – 1
Degan Dozard – 1
Kyle Hammer – 1
Shawn Deering – 1
Noah Sugg – 1
Trent Young – 1
Mike Chasteen Jr – 1

MD3 Hard Charger Award Winner

Dave Wietholder – 2
Damian Kiefer – 1
Degan Dozard – 1
Chase Holland – 1
Zach Taylor – 1
Cody Ventimiglia – 1
Trent Young – 1
Ryan Hamilton – 1
Rick Conoyer – 1

Wilwood Brakes Hard Luck Award Winner

Dave Wietholder – 2
Damian Kiefer – 2
Mike Chasteen Jr – 1
Matthew Baker – 1
Rick Salter – 1
Zac Oedewaldt – 1
Stephen Pedulla – 1
Levi Kissinger – 1

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winner

Beau DeYoung – 6
Damian Kiefer – 2
Alan Stipp – 1
Ryan Hamilton – 1

Lethal Chassis Bonus Bucks Award Winner

Trevor Neville – 5
Zac Oedewaldt – 2
Degan Dozard – 1
Tyler Spalding – 1
Austen Becerra – 1

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 2025 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 2025 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), 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, 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, QuickCar Racing Products, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Midwest Sheet Metal, Shepard Synthetics, and Allgaier Performance.

MARS Championship Upcoming Events

• August 29, 2025 – Farmer City Raceway – Farmer City, IL – Chuckwagon Food Services 40 – $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

• August 30, 2025 – Fairbury Speedway – Fairbury, IL – Illinois Dirt Shootout – $10,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends & $10,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment

• August 31, 2025 – Spoon River Speedway – Canton, IL – Plowboy Nationals – $10,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends & $10,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment

• September 12, 2025 – Davenport Speedway – Davenport, IA – Corn State Nationals – $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

• September 13, 2025 – Davenport Speedway – Davenport, IA – Corn State Nationals – $10,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

---

Back to News