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MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Return to Action with the Corn State Nationals and Gem City Showdown

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Return to Action with the Corn State Nationals and Gem City Showdown

FAIRBURY, IL (September 8, 2025) – Hitting the month of September means only three weekends remain for the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends season. 23 feature events have been contested at 16 different racetracks across the Midwest, with 7 more races on the docket. This weekend the tour heads west to the Davenport Speedway and Quincy Raceways for a trio of events to help inch us closer to crowning 2025 season champions.

First up on the weekend will be a rare two-night show for the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends at the Davenport Speedway in Davenport, Iowa. The Corn State Nationals will run on Friday & Saturday, September 12 & 13 with an open practice session on Thursday, September 11. On Friday the MARS Late Model tour will run 40-laps for $5,000-to-win while Saturday will consist of another full program capped off with a 50-lap $10,000-to-win main event. This will mark the first time since May that the tour will run at the same facility for two consecutive days. The last trip to Davenport for the series was in July of 2023 when Drake Troutman took home the $10,000 victory over Garrett Alberson and Jeff Larson.

After mother nature took home the victory back in July, the rescheduled Gem City Showdown presented by Dennis Woodworth, Attorney at Law, at Quincy Raceways in Quincy, Illinois, will wrap up the weekend for the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends on Sunday, September 14. Mother nature has thrown quite the curveball to the “Bullring on Broadway” in 2025, but with a near perfect forecast projected on long-range models, look for the ¼-mile to be bustling with fans and drivers alike as the end of the season draws near. The May visit to the speedway saw current MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends point leader Jason Feger take the victory over Ryan Unzicker and Justin Reed.

The top-5 in series standings stayed constant with little change after the three-day Labor Day weekend grind with Jason Feger still out front with his lead now expanding to 70 points over second place Ryan Unzicker. Shannon Babb positioned himself back to third in points after three top-6 runs over Labor Day weekend with Tony Jackson Jr sliding back to fourth. Justin Duty rides in a distant fifth place.

Jake Little took over the highly contested Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year point lead, our last weekend out, by 19 points over Daryn Klein. Jeff Herzog rides third only 32 points back from the point lead. Brennon Willard rounds out the rookie class in fourth.

Event Info

Corn State Nationals

Thursday-Saturday, September 11-13

Davenport Speedway
Davenport, Iowa

Thursday, September 11

Open Practice for all divisions from 6:30 P.M. until 9:30 P.M.

Pit Pass $35

Friday, September 12

$5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
IMCA Late Models
Outlaw Street Stocks

Pits open at 3:30 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
Pit Pass $40

Saturday, September 13

$10,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
IMCA Modifieds
IMCA Sport Mods
Powder Puff Invitational

Pits open at 3:30 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 $30
Pit Pass $45

Sunday, September 14

Quincy Raceways
Quincy, Illinois

Gem City Showdown presented by Dennis Woodworth, Attorney at Law

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

Pits open at 12:00 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 $25
General Admission for Seniors ages 65+ $20
General Admission for Students ages 11-16 $20
General Admission for Kids 10 and under FREE

Pit Pass $45
Pit Pass for Kids ages 10 and under $20

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) $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 - $120

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

1. Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 1247 Points
2. Ryan Unzicker – El Paso, IL – 1177 Points
3. Shannon Babb – Moweaqua, IL – 1069 Points
4. Tony Jackson Jr – Lebanon, MO – 1053 Points
5. Justin Duty – Molalla, OR – 960 Points
6. Jake Little – Springfield, IL – 806 Points
7. Daryn Klein – Fairview Heights, IL – 787 Points
8. Jeff Herzog – Festus, MO – 774 Points
9. Dennis Erb Jr – Carpentersville, IL – 714 Points
10. Brennon Willard – Lebanon, MO – 666 Points
11. McKay Wenger – Fairbury, IL – 608 Points
12. Mark Voigt – Marine, IL – 551 Points
13. Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 510 Points
14. Mike Spatola – Manhattan, IL – 497 Points
15. Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 465 Points

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Standings

1. Jake Little – Springfield, IL – 806 Points
2. Daryn Klein – Fairview Heights – 787 Points
3. Jeff Herzog – Festus, MO – 774 Points
4. Brennon Willard – Lebanon, MO – 666 Points

2025 MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Statistics

Pontiac RV Heat Race #1 Winner

Shannon Babb – 4
Tony Jackson Jr – 3
Brian Shirley – 2
Bobby Pierce – 2
Ashton Winger – 2
Ricky Thornton Jr – 1
Carson Ferguson – 1
Drake Troutman – 1
Allen Weisser – 1
Jason Feger – 1
Daryn Klein – 1
Mike Spatola – 1
Jake Little – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1

FK Rod Ends 1st Place Finisher

Bobby Pierce – 6
Jason Feger – 6
Ryan Unzicker – 4
Ashton Winger – 2
Brandon Sheppard – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 1
Tyler Erb – 1
Tony Jackson Jr – 1

FK Rod Ends 5th Place Finisher

Tony Jackson Jr – 5
Justin Duty – 2
Dennis Erb Jr – 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

McKay Wenger – 4
Jeff Herzog – 3
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
Ashton Winger – 1

Budda by Bert Transmission 9th Place Finisher

Jason Feger – 4
Jake Little – 3
Brian Shirley – 2
Shannon Babb – 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
Myles Moos – 1
Michael Leach – 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
Michael Leach – 1
Myles Moos – 1
Jordan Bauer – 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
Jose Parga – 1
Jeffrey Ledford – 1
Kolby Vandenbergh – 1

Fast Shafts 15th Place Finisher

Austin Howes – 3
Justin Duty – 2
McKay Wenger – 2
Jake Little – 2
Mike Spatola – 1
Chad Simpson – 1
Andy Clark – 1
Mark Voigt – 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
Todd Rehg – 1

MD3 Hard Charger Award Winner

Tony Jackson Jr – 3
Ryan Unzicker – 3
Shannon Babb – 2
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
Todd Rehg – 1
Jose Parga – 1
Justin Duty – 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
Tommy Sheppard Jr – 1
Mike Harrison – 1
AJ May – 1

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winner

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

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR:

• TOUGHER IN IOWA: The beginning of the 2025 MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends season kicked off with a heavy dose of Iowa events… 5 straight to be exact, with the cancelations of Paducah and Charleston. One glaring stat over the course of those 5 events is that the only tour regulars to record a top-5 finish over that span was Shannon Babb and Tony Jackson Jr. Does this trend continue heading into Davenport, or does Feger, Unzicker, Duty and the gang find their way to the front?

• RETURN TO QUINCY: Originally only slated to be the two-night event at Davenport on the weekend, mother nature had other plans with our last scheduled trip to Quincy in July. Track and series officials were able to come to agreement that this Sunday was the best available date to make it an epic three-night weekend to roll through the middle half of the month.

• COMPLETING THE NIGHT: Completing the night will be what Fairview Heights, Illinois driver Daryn Klein will be on the hunt for throughout this weekend’s triple-header. His nights have started strong with fast qualifying efforts, heat race wins, and transferring to the main event without having to run the B-Main in every event since July 18, but he just hasn’t been able to keep the speed throughout the feature events. Look for the #10 to bounce back this weekend as Davenport is one of his favorite tracks on the schedule.

• INVADERS EXPECTED: Running geographically further west than in previous weeks will provide different talent a chance to stop in for their shot at a MARS checkered flag this weekend. Drivers to keep an eye on with plans to make the trip at different points throughout the weekend include Garrett Alberson, Michael Leach, Chris Simpson, Chad Simpson, Justin Reed, and Jordan Yaggy among others.

• ADDED MONEY AT PEORIA: As an added bonus to next week’s 70th annual Illinois State Championship presented by Accurate Heating & Cooling at Peoria Speedway, lap leader money has been added to each of the 50-laps in the main event. $25 per lap led could earn a driver a potential payday of over $6,000 in next Saturday’s showdown.

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

• 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

• September 14, 2025 – Quincy Raceways – Quincy, IL – Gem City Showdown presented by Dennis Woodworth, Attorney at Law - $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

• September 19, 2025 – 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

• September 20, 2025 – Peoria Speedway – Peoria, IL – 70th annual Illinois State Championship presented by Accurate Heating & Cooling

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