4/9/2024
MARS - Midwest Auto Racing Series
MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Set to Kick Off 2024 Campaign This Weekend at Farmer City Raceway as Part of the Illini
MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Set to Kick Off 2024 Campaign This Weekend at Farmer City Raceway as Part of the Illini 100
FAIRBURY, IL (April 8, 2024) - 2023 could not have been written as a better story of success for a first year series. The series completed 17 events (out of 19 originally scheduled), averaged 35 cars per night, and had 10 different winners in the first season of competition. With all that being said, the team came together over the winter, wanting to continue to build off that success, and crafted the most lucrative DIRTcar UMP Modified series schedule for 2024 as possible. Events including the $20,000-to-win Popejoy Incorporated Illinois Dirt Shootout Powered by HOTROD Septic Treatment at Fairbury, the $15,000-to-win Plowboy Nationals at Spoon River Speedway, $3,000-to-win events at Fairbury in August, Brownstown Bullring and Paducah International Raceway in September, and FALS Frenzy championship weekend at Fairbury in October all will contribute to taking this series and division to the next level. The next page of that story will begin to be written this weekend at the Farmer City Raceway.
For the first time in series history, the MARS Modified Championship chase will join the World of Outlaws Case Construction Late Models and Xtreme Outlaw Midgets Presented by Toyota for a blockbuster weekend to kick off the season at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois on April 11-13. While being plagued by weather issues the past couple of seasons, early models show sunshine and comfortable temperatures projected to meet race fans and teams alike this Friday and Saturday. With over 40 of the best Modified drivers in the Midwest expected over the course of the weekend, this is sure to be an event you will not want to miss.
The weekend is scheduled to kick off on Thursday with an open practice session being held for all 3 divisions racing this weekend with cars on track from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. that evening with complete shows for the MARS Modified Series taking place on both Friday and Saturday.
If you are unable to make it to the track, this MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment doubleheader will be streamed live on DIRTvision.com.
Illini 100 Weekend – Farmer City Raceway – Farmer City, IL
Thursday, April 11
Open practice for all 3 divisions competing throughout the weekend
Pits open at Noon
Practice from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
$25 Pit Pass
Friday, April 12
$2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
$10,000-to-win World of Outlaws Case Construction Late Models
$4,000-to-win Xtreme Outlaw Midgets Presented by Toyota
Pits open at Noon
Grandstands open at 1:00 p.m.
Drivers Meeting at 5:45 p.m.
Hot Laps at 6:30 p.m.
Adult General Admission $35
General Admission ages 6-12 $10
General Admission ages 5 and under free
Pit Pass $40
Saturday, April 13
$2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
$20,000-to-win World of Outlaws Case Construction Late Models
$5,000-to-win Xtreme Outlaw Midgets Presented by Toyota
Pits open at Noon
Grandstands open at 1:00 p.m.
Drivers Meeting at 5:45 p.m.
Hot Laps at 6:30 p.m.
Adult General Admission $40
General Admission ages 6-12 $15
General Admission ages 5 and under free
Pit Pass $45
Adult General Admission 2-day pass $70
General Admission ages 6-12 2-day pass $25
3-day Pit Pass $105
2-day Pit Pass $80
MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment NIGHTLY Feature 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: (Friday - $65) (Saturday - $70)
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR:
• FARMER CITY’S FINEST: When people think of DIRTcar UMP Modified racing at Farmer City, the name that automatically comes to mind is defending track champion Michael Ledford. In 16 events entered last season, Ledford won 50% of those and finished in the top-10 in all but 2. As a driver that has toyed around with the thought of following the MARS tour in 2024, does a pair of strong finishes for the #37L at Farmer City entice him to head south for the St. Louis doubleheader next weekend?
• CONSISTENCY IS KEY: Last season the MARS tour brought loaded fields to Farmer City both trips, and the numbers confirm that as only 2 drivers finished in the top-10 each of those nights: Trevor Neville and 2023 MARS Modified Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Charlie Mefford. Neville started the season on the MARS tour last year and decided to drop off after about halfway through the schedule, and ultimately finished 2nd in Farmer City track points. Mefford showed speed all season long, but just did not have the results to show for it. As a driver that currently does not have plans to follow the tour in its entirety in 2024, does 2 strong runs at Farmer City give him the confidence to continue to Tri-City next week?
• SUNOCO RACE FUELS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR BATTLE TAKING SHAPE: Speaking of the defending Rookie of the Year, it’s not too early to begin talking about the crop of potential drivers looking for that honor in 2024. Although early, and some are sure to drop as they did last season, a notable list of drivers have submitted their paperwork or have given verbal commitments on joining the tour including Treb Jacoby, Trey Harris, Jarrett Stryker, Lyndon Whitfill, Kyle Hammer, John Baker, Jesse Dill, CJ Springer, Mason Duncan, Trevor Ringle, Evan Fink, and JD Laster. Drivers have until the completion of the first weekend to file for Rookie of the Year status.
• CAN THE CHAMP KEEP IT ROLLING: 2023 was a year for the record books for Fowler, Illinois driver Michael Long. Long picked up the inaugural series title while picking up an impressive 13 top-5 finishes along the way against the best competition in DIRTcar UMP Modified racing. One does have to wonder though, can Long keep the momentum rolling into 2024? It would be tough to mirror that kind of run 2 years in a row, but the 18L team seem to be up for the challenge. In 2 MARS starts at Farmer City last season Long finished 3rd and 17th.
• READY OR NOT, HERE WE GO: It may seem like it has been forever since the end of the 2023 season, but don’t fret… There is LOTS of MARS Modified action coming up. Following the Farmer City doubleheader this weekend, Tri City and Highland are next up, next weekend, with Brownstown Bullring and the first ever visit to Peoria Speedway for the Garry Swibold Memorial rounding out the month of April.
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
o April 12, 2024 – Farmer City Raceway – Farmer City, IL – Illini 100 Weekend - $2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
o April 13, 2024 – Farmer City Raceway – Farmer City, IL – Illini 100 Weekend - $2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
o April 19, 2024 – Tri-City Speedway – Granite City, IL - $2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
o April 20, 2024 – World Famous Highland Speedway – Highland, IL - $2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
o April 26, 2024 – Brownstown Bullring – Brownstown, IL – Sievers JCB Diggin’ Dirt 40 $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends & Sievers JCB Diggin’ Dirt 30 $2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
Submitted By: Jonathan Clayton