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MARS Championship Tours Return to the Track This Weekend at Quincy Raceways and Highland Speedway

MARS Championship Tours Return to the Track This Weekend at Quincy Raceways and Highland Speedway

FAIRBURY, IL (May 12, 2025) – After a brief break for Illinois Speedweeks, both the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends and the MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment tours return to action this weekend with back-to-back nights of bringing the best of both worlds to fans in attendance. Mother Nature has been persistent on visiting many of the same weekends that we have been scheduled to race, but current forecasts look as promising as they have all season long for two nights of spectacular racing at two of the under-the-radar tracks in the Land of Lincoln.

Friday, May 16, the action kicks off for the weekend with the first stop of the season at the new and improved Quincy Raceways in Quincy, Illinois for the Lotus 40 Presented by Pepsi Refreshment Services for the Late Models and the Modified event to be brought to us as the Baja Blast 30 Presented by Pepsi Refreshment Services. Owners Jeff and Renee Delonjay have taken over the beloved speedway over the past year and hit the ground running with improving the amenities for both the competitors and the fans alike. New concrete has been poured, new catch fencing installed, upgrades to many of the buildings throughout the facility, new dirt on the racetrack, and most notably when walking up and checking the place out: an all-new wall around the entire racetrack. Nice crowds have filled the grandstands each night this season, and with this being a rare Friday night event, look for more of the same. Last season Dennis Erb Jr and Will Krup took home the victories in the tours only visit of 2024.

Teams, series officials, and fans looking for another great night of action will make the 2-hour 40-minute trip south for the Saturday, May 17, event at the World Famous Highland Speedway. MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends and the MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment will both be on the card for their only trip of the season. Last season Jason Feger bested a 36-car MARS Late Model field in the single appearance to the speedway while Michael Long captured both the April and May events held for the MARS Modified tour. Highland always produces stellar evenings of racing and last May was no different as action was a-plenty in the MARS Late Model 40 lapper. Expect more of the same when the best in the Midwest rolls into town this weekend.

With the racing schedule shaking out as it has to this point, Bobby Pierce continues into the weekend as your Midwest Sheet Metal points leader for the MARS Late Models. Obviously with Bobby running with the World of Outlaws on a full-time basis, he is not expected to be in attendance this weekend, yet it has still been an intriguing conversation to see which of the MARS regulars take the points lead first this season. Brian Shirley, Brandon Sheppard, Jason Feger, and Dennis Erb Jr currently round out the top 5.

After a strong outing at Kankakee County Speedway two weeks ago, Cole Falloway has taken over the MARS Modified point lead as he holds a narrow 4-point advantage over Michael Ledford. Defending series champion Michael Long, Chase Holland, and Kyle Hammer round out the current top-5.
Daryn Klein maintains the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year lead for the MARS Late Models with Jake Little, Brennon Willard, Steve Stultz, and Jeff Herzog closely in tow. Indiana driver Beau DeYoung continues to impress as he carries the talented Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year class into Quincy for the MARS Modifieds over Damian Kiefer, Matthew Baker, Zach Taylor, and Ryan Hamilton.

Event Info

Friday, May 16

Quincy Raceways
Quincy, IL

Lotus 40 / Baja Blast 30 Presented by Pepsi Refreshment Services

$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
B-Mods
Crown Vics

Pits open at 3:15 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 $30
General Admission for Students ages 11-16 $20
General Admission for Senoirs ages 65+ $20
General Admission for Kids 10 and under $5

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

Saturday, May 17

World Famous Highland Speedway
Highland, IL

$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
DIRTcar Pro Modifieds
DIRTcar Factory Stocks

Pits open at 2:00 P.M.
Grandstands open at 4:00 P.M.
Drivers Meeting at 5:30 P.M.
Hot Laps at 6:00 P.M.

Adult General Admission $30
Box Seats $35
Student General Admission ages 13-18 $10
General Admission for Kids 12 and under FREE

Pit Pass $40
Pit Pass for Kids 12 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)

Grooving and Siping will be permitted.

Event Purses

MARS Late Model Friday & Saturday 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 $120 Saturday $115

MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Friday & Saturday A-Main payout: 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 - $70 Friday $65 Saturday

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Point Standings (Top 20)

1. Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 370 points
2. Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 292 Points
3. Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 280 Points
4. Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 277 Points
5. Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, IL – 273 Points
6. Tony Jackson Jr. – Lebanon, MO – 269 Points
7. Ryan Unzicker – El Paso, IL – 251 Points
8. Justin Duty – Molalla, OR – 247 Points
9. Shannon Babb – Moweaqua, IL – 242 Points
10. Bob Gardner – Washington, IL – 232 Points
11. McKay Wenger – Fairbury, IL – 229 Points
12. Tanner English – Benton, KY – 217 Points
13. Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 209 Points
14. Chris Simpson – Oxford, IA – 194 Points
15. Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – 190 Points
16. Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 190 Points
17. Daryn Klein – Fairview Heights, IL – 187 Points
18. Dylan Thornton – Orcutt, CA – 183 Points
19. Jake Little – Springfield, IL – 174 Points
20. Chad Simpson – Mt. Vernon, IA – 167 Points

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

1. Daryn Klein – Fairview Heights – 187 Points
2. Jake Little – Springfield, IL – 174 Points
3. Brennon Willard – Lebanon, MO – 156 Points
4. Steve Stultz – Peoria, AZ – 156 Points
5. Jeff Herzog – Festus, MO – 142 Points

MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Point Standings (Top 20)

1. Cole Falloway – Owensboro, KY – 267 Points
2. Michael Ledford – Pontiac, IL – 263 Points
3. Michael Long – Fowler, IL – 241 Points
4. Chase Holland – Success, MS – 213 Points
5. Ray Bollinger – Kewanee, IL – 199 Points
6. Kyle Hammer – Clinton, IL – 193 Points
7. Beau DeYoung – DeMotte, IN – 191 Points
8. Trevor Neville – Mackinaw, IL – 181 Points
9. Austin Friedman – Fairbury, IL – 172 Points
10. Damian Kiefer – Ste. Genevieve, MO – 162 Points
11. Mike McKinney – Plainfield, IL – 156 Points
12. Jeff Curl – Fairbury, IL – 156 Points
13. Matthew Baker – Kouts, IN – 138 Points
14. Lyndon Whitfill – Fairbury, IL – 135 Points
15. Dave Wietholder – Liberty, IL – 133 Points
16. Steven Brooks – Bourbonnais, IL – 132 Points
17. Zach Taylor – Springfield, IL – 122 Points
18. Tyler Nicely – Owensboro, KY – 113 Points
19. Ryan Hamilton – Fairview Heights, IL – 109 Points
20. Alan Stipp – Chatsworth, IL – 109 Points

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Point Standings (Top 10)

1. Beau DeYoung – DeMotte, IN – 191 Points
2. Damian Kiefer – Ste. Genevieve, MO – 162 Points
3. Matthew Baker – Kouts, IN – 138 Points
4. Zach Taylor – Springfield, IL – 122 Points
5. Ryan Hamilton – Fairview Heights, IL – 109 Points
6. Alan Stipp – Chatswoth, IL – 109 Points
7. Mark Roades – West Chicago, IL – 103 Points
8. Michael Mennel – Peoria, IL – 77 Points
9. Austin Seets – Brighton, IL – 61 Points
10. Kyle Barker – Cooksville, IL – 57 Points

2025 MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Statistics

Pontiac RV Heat Race #1 Winner

Brian Shirley – 2
Ricky Thornton Jr – 1
Carson Ferguson – 1
Drake Troutman – 1
Allen Weisser – 1

FK Rod Ends 1st Place Finisher

Bobby Pierce – 4
Brandon Sheppard – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1

FK Rod Ends 5th Place Finisher

Garrett Alberson – 1
Ryan Gustin – 1
Brian Shirley – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Tony Jackson Jr – 1
Allen Weisser – 1

Fairbury Fasteners 7th Place Finisher

Ryan Gustin – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 1
Daniel Adam – 1
Garrett Alberson – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
McKay Wenger – 1

Budda by Bert Transmission 9th Place Finisher

Jason Feger – 3
Dylan Thornton – 1
Brian Shirley – 1
Jake Little – 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

Keyser Manufacturing 13th Place Finisher

Chris Simpson – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
Bob Gardner – 1
McKay Wenger – 1
Trevor Gundaker – 1
Mike McKinney – 1

Fast Shafts 15th Place Finisher

Justin Duty – 2
McKay Wenger – 1
Mike Spatola – 1
Chad Simpson – 1
Andy Clark – 1

MD3 Hard Charger Award Winner

Tony Jackson Jr – 2
Ryan Unzicker – 2
Jason Feger – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 1

Wilwood Brakes Hard Luck Award Winner

Gordy Gundaker – 1
Dylan Thornton – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
Frank Heckenast Jr – 1
Kayden Clatt – 1
Cody Maguire – 1

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winner

Daryn Klein – 4
Jeff Herzog – 2

2025 MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Statistics

Multi Fire X Fast Time Award Winner

Cole Falloway – 2
Chase Holland – 1
Michael Long – 1

Willy’s Carb & Dyno Heat Race #1 Winner

Chase Holland – 2
Cole Falloway – 1
Michael Long – 1

Lethal Chassis Heat Race #2 Winner

Mike McKinney – 1
Michael Ledford – 1
Kyle Hammer – 1
Ray Bollinger – 1

Allgaier Performance Heat Race #3 Winner

Cole Falloway – 1
Michael Long – 1
Beau DeYoung – 1
Adam Pockrus – 1

Shepard Synthetics 1st Place Finisher

Michael Ledford – 2
Mike McKinney – 1
Michael Long – 1

Summit Racing Equipment 2nd Place Finisher

Cole Falloway – 3
Michael Long – 1

Fast Shafts 3rd Place Finisher

Michael Ledford – 1
Michael Long – 1
Kyle Hammer – 1
Steven Brooks – 1

Keyser Manufacturing 7th Place Finisher

Tyler Nicely – 1
Beau DeYoung – 1
Austin Friedman – 1
Mike McKinney – 1

Hooker Harness 11th Place Finisher

Carson Friedman – 1
Trevor Neville – 1
Degan Dozard – 1
Kyle Hammer – 1

MD3 Hard Charger Award Winner

Dave Wietholder – 1
Damian Kiefer – 1
Degan Dozard – 1
Chase Holland – 1

Wilwood Brakes Hard Luck Award Winner

Mike Chasteen Jr – 1
Dave Wietholder – 1
Damian Kiefer – 1
Matthew Baker – 1

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winner

Damian Kiefer – 2
Beau DeYoung – 2

Lethal Chassis Bonus Bucks Award Winner

Trevor Neville – 2
Degan Dozard – 1
Tyler Spalding – 1

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR:

• KICKING OFF DRIVER LOYALTY: This weekend the all-new Driver Loyalty program kicks off for the MARS Late Model series drivers. The top-10 drivers that are highest in points and still eligible will receive a free pit pass while first-fifteenth in series standings, that are still eligible, will receive show-up money ranging from $50-$200. Fourteen drivers are still currently eligible.

• BACK ON TRACK: After having engine issues on the last night in MARS Late Model competition, and the night before in ULRA Late Model action, Tony Jackson Jr had a weekend that is sure to get him back on the right track last weekend. Tony captured first and second place finishes in Comp Cams Super Dirt Series action at Batesville Motor Speedway.

• WINNERS WIN: After taking over the point lead following the event at Kankakee County Speedway, one thing remains for Cole Falloway in 2025 besides the series title… A victory. Falloway has finished in the bridesmaid position on the last three MARS Modified events.

• WELCOME HOME: One driver that will be happy to return home for Friday’s event will be Liberty, Illinois driver Dave Wietholder. Dave is at Quincy most times that they have DIRTcar UMP Modifieds on the card and will look to capitalize on that experience to translate into a solid finish. He has one win at Quincy on the season and currently holds down fifteenth in MARS Modified standings.

• CONTINUING TO GAIN: Justin Duty comes into the weekend with as much confidence as ever on the MARS Late Model tour after a strong outing at Peoria Speedway a couple of weeks back. He won his heat and led a lap in the feature event before ultimately capturing a respectable fourth place finish. Can Duty find a few more spots to pick up his first career MARS victory this weekend?

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

• May 16, 2025 - Quincy Raceways - Quincy, IL - $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

• May 17, 2025 - World Famous Highland Speedway - Highland, IL - $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

• May 23, 2025 - Tri-City Speedway - Granite City, IL - $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

• May 24, 2025 - Fairbury Speedway - Fairbury, IL - Triple Down Shootout - $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

• May 25, 2025 - Spoon River Speedway - Canton, IL - Gary Cook Jr Memorial - $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends & $2,564-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment

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