Illinois Valley Showdown Next for the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

5/28/2025

MARS - Midwest Auto Racing Series

Illinois Valley Showdown Next for the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

FAIRBURY, IL (May 28, 2025) – One final weekend remains before the unofficial halfway point in the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends season, and it couldn’t be closing out in any larger way than this. The inaugural Illinois Valley Showdown Presented by Arizona Sport Shirts is next up at the LaSalle Speedway & Event Center in LaSalle, Illinois with a possible $35,000 going to a driver if they were to sweep the weekend. A total of three feature events will take place over the course of two nights of action, with a unique twist on Friday, to make this a weekend for the record-books in more ways than one.

On Friday, May 30 the gladiators of the MARS Late Model tour will take on many of your favorite national stars for the first night of the inaugural Illinois Valley Showdown Presented by Arizona Sports Shirts at the LaSalle Speedway & Event Center. The night will kick off like your standard MARS event with hot laps, qualifying, heat races, and b-mains. From here, this is where things will get interesting. After locking in the 22-car field for the feature, drivers will prepare themselves for the Twisted Twin 25’s. The first 25-lap feature will race as a standard MARS feature lined up as we typically would any other race. At the conclusion of the 25-lap feature, the checkered will fly, and the field will be restacked. A full invert of the top-10 (if they are on the lead lap) will take place and the field will run another 25-lap feature event. Points will be calculated and the top 4 point earners over the two features (or top-6 if 48 or more cars are signed in) will start on the pole of each heat race for the Saturday night portion of the Illinois Valley Showdown. This unique format is sure to make this an unforgettable night of racing action. If a driver sweeps both feature events, they will earn a $10,000 paycheck plus start on the pole of heat 1 on Saturday evening.

Saturday, May 31 will be Championship Night of the inaugural Illinois Valley Showdown Presented by Arizona Sports Shirts at the LaSalle Speedway & Event Center. All drivers will hot lap, and then all competitors minus the drivers locked into the pole position of the heat races will qualify. All drivers will run heat races, and then b-mains plus series provisionals will lock in the remainder of the field for the 75-lap main event. A record-breaking $25,000-to-win and $1,200-to-start main event will mark the highest ever “to-win” amount ever paid at the LaSalle Speedway & Event Center. The last visit for the MARS tour to LaSalle was for the Thaw Brawl in 2021 where Ryan Unzicker and Garrett Alberson split victories on the weekend.

After a major shakeup over the past weekend, defending series champion Jason Feger rolls into LaSalle as the Midwest Sheet Metal point leader. Feger will be easily identified with his familiar tumbling dice #25 along with the fluorescent red Midwest Sheet Metal spoiler signifying the series point leader. Ryan Unzicker has moved up to second in season standings with Shannon Babb up to third. Tony Jackson Jr fell back to fourth over the weekend with McKay Wenger rounding out the top-5.

Daryn Klein has taken a commanding lead in Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings with Jake Little, Brennon Willard, Steve Stultz, and Jeff Herzog continuing to try to make up ground as the season progresses.

Event Info

Friday, May 30 & Saturday, May 31

LaSalle Speedway & Event Center
LaSalle, IL

Twin $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Features on Friday | $25,000-to-win on Saturday
DIRTcar UMP Modifieds
DIRTcar Stock Cars

Pits open at Noon each day
Grandstands open at 4:00 P.M. each day
Drivers Meeting at 6:00 P.M. each day
Hot Laps at 6:30 P.M. each day

Friday Adult General Admission $30
Friday General Admission for Kids ages 6-12 $15
Friday General Admission for Kids 5 and under FREE

Saturday Adult General Admission $35
Saturday General Admission for Kids ages 6-12 $15
Saturday General Admission for Kids 5 and under FREE

Friday Pit Pass $40
Saturday Pit Pass $45

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 A-Main payout for EACH 25-lapper on Friday: 1) $5,000 2) $2,500 3) $1,250 4) $800 5) $700 6) $600 7) $500 8) $475 9) $450 10) $400 11) $375 12) $325 13) $300 14) $300 15) $300 16) $300 17) $300 18) $300 19) $300 20) $300 21) $300 22) $300. Non-Transfer Tow Money - $115

MARS Late Model A-Main payout on Saturday: 1) $25,000 2) $12,000 3) $6,000 4) $4,000 5) $3,000 6) $2,000 7) $1,900 8) $1,800 9) $1,600 10) $1,500 11) $1,400 12) $1,200 13) $1,200 14) $1,200 15) $1,200 16) $1,200 17) $1,200 18) $1,200 19) $1,200 20) $1,200 21) $1,200 22) $1,200. Non-Transfer Tow Money - $120

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

Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 552 Points
Ryan Unzicker – El Paso, IL – 531 Points
Shannon Babb – Moweaqua, IL – 506 Points
Tony Jackson Jr – Lebanon, MO – 502 Points
McKay Wenger – Fairbury, IL – 447 Points
Justin Duty – Molalla, OR – 429 Points
Dennis Erb Jr – Carpentersville, IL – 413 Points
Daryn Klein – Fairview Heights, IL – 404 Points
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 391 Points
Bob Gardner – Washington, IL – 383 Points
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 370 Points
Jake Little – Springfield, IL – 329 Points
Brennon Willard – Lebanon, MO – 320 Points
Steve Stultz – Peoria, AZ – 302 Points
Jeff Herzog – Festus, MO – 290 Points
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 280 Points
Guy Taylor – Springfield, IL – 240 Points
Austin Howes – Lewistown, MO – 228 Points
Allen Weisser – Peoria, IL – 219 Points
Tanner English – Benton, KY – 217 Points

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

Daryn Klein – Fairview Heights – 404 Points
Jake Little – Springfield, IL – 329 Points
Brennon Willard – Lebanon, MO – 320 Points
Steve Stultz – Peoria, AZ – 302 Points
Jeff Herzog – Festus, MO – 290 Points

2025 MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Statistics

Pontiac RV Heat Race #1 Winner

Shannon Babb – 3
Brian Shirley – 2
Ricky Thornton Jr – 1
Carson Ferguson – 1
Drake Troutman – 1
Allen Weisser – 1
Jason Feger – 1
Ashton Winger – 1

FK Rod Ends 1st Place Finisher

Bobby Pierce – 4
Jason Feger – 2
Brandon Sheppard – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Ashton Winger – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 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
Austin Howes – 1
Jordan Bauer – 1
Guy Taylor – 1
McKay Wenger – 1
Ashton Winger – 1

Fairbury Fasteners 7th Place Finisher

McKay Wenger – 2
Ryan Gustin – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 1
Daniel Adam – 1
Garrett Alberson – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
Bob Gardner – 1
Jason Feger – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Daryn Klein – 1

Budda by Bert Transmission 9th Place Finisher

Jason Feger – 4
Dylan Thornton – 1
Brian Shirley – 1
Jake Little – 1
Brennon Willard – 1
Mike Harrison – 1
Jordan Bauer – 1
Justin Duty – 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

Keyser Manufacturing 13th Place Finisher

Chris Simpson – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
Bob Gardner – 1
McKay Wenger – 1
Trevor Gundaker – 1
Mike McKinney – 1
Daryn Klein – 1
Guy Taylor – 1
Reid Millard – 1
Mike Provenzano – 1
Mike Spatola – 1

Fast Shafts 15th Place Finisher

Justin Duty – 2
McKay Wenger – 2
Mike Spatola – 1
Chad Simpson – 1
Andy Clark – 1
Mark Voigt – 1
Jake Little – 1
Austin Howes – 1
Myles Moos – 1

MD3 Hard Charger Award Winner

Tony Jackson Jr – 2
Ryan Unzicker – 2
Jason Feger – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 1
Daryn Klein – 1
Bob Gardner – 1
Trevor Gundaker – 1
Mike Provenzano – 1
Brennon Willard – 1

Wilwood Brakes Hard Luck Award Winner

Gordy Gundaker – 1
Dylan Thornton – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 2
Frank Heckenast Jr – 1
Kayden Clatt – 1
Cody Maguire – 1
Guy Taylor – 1
Rodney Melvin – 1
Bob Gardner – 1
Brian Shirley – 1

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winner

Daryn Klein – 7
Jeff Herzog – 2
Austin Howes – 1
Jake Little – 1

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR:

• RISE TO THE TOP: Although not as dominant as in years past, it’s consistency that pays in a season-long points battle. Jason Feger has clawed his way to the top of the season standings for the first time this year after a strong outing last weekend. In 11 starts this season he has 9 top-10 finishes.

• MORE IN THE TANK: After numerous problems early in the season, Shannon Babb has seemed to hit his stride over the middle portion of the schedule. He has a victory and a second-place finish over his past 4 events which has put him into third-place in points.

• RETURN OF PIERCE: In 5 MARS starts in 2025, Bobby Pierce has 4 victories and a second-place finish. Can he continue his tear as he returns to the tour this weekend at LaSalle?

• $25,000 REASONS TO BE THERE: Saturday will mark the most money ever paid for a single winner at LaSalle Speedway & Event Center in track history and mark the largest payday for any race on the MARS schedule in 2025.

• SO LONG UNTIL JULY: This weekend marks the unofficial halfway point to the MARS tours seasons which includes a well-deserved 6 week pause in the schedule. Both tours return to action on Friday, July 18 at Farmer City Raceway.

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 30, 2025 – LaSalle Speedway – LaSalle, IL – Illinois Valley Showdown – Twin $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Events

• May 31, 2025 – LaSalle Speedway – LaSalle, IL – Illinois Valley Showdown – $25,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

• July 18, 2025 – Farmer City Raceway – Farmer City, IL – Jr. Kimler Memorial / Bill Marietta Memorial - $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

• July 19, 2025 – Federated Auto Parts Raceway @ I-55 – Pevely, MO - $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

• July 20, 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

Article Credit: Jonathan Clayton

Submitted By: Jonathan Clayton

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