2/16/2026
MARS - Midwest Auto Racing Series
Kankakee County Speedway Added to MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends 2026 Slate of Events
Kankakee County Speedway Added to MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends 2026 Slate of Events
FAIRBURY, IL (February 16, 2026) – As anticipation continues to build for the start of the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends 2026 season, a mainstay to the tour over the past three seasons has been added to complete the tour schedule.
After an uncertain offseason for the Kankakee County Speedway, in Kankakee, Illinois, the vision has become much clearer over the past couple of weeks as to what the upcoming season will look like. It was announced that local racer Evan Eckhoff will be teaming up with former promoter Billy Knippenberg in bringing action back to the Kankakee County Fairgrounds for 2026 with a 16-race schedule on-tap.
Officials with the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends and the team at Kankakee County Speedway are excited to announce that the tour will return to the 1/4-mile bullring on Friday, September 18. The Big Daddy Scrap 40 will feature the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends racing for $5,000-to-win and $500-to-start with additional classes to be announced in the near future.
“While we typically do not add events once we release a schedule, the opportunity to add Kankakee to the lineup was a no-brainer” stated series director Jonathan Clayton. “Billy did a wonderful job with the speedway over the past few seasons, and we are excited to be a part of the continuing action at one of the state’s most cherished facilities as they begin a new chapter.”
The addition of Kankakee County Speedway to the schedule will now make it a two-night weekend as it pairs with the tour’s second stop of the season to the Peoria Speedway, in Peoria, Illinois, for the 71st annual Illinois State Championship on Saturday, September 19, where the MARS Late Models will battle for $5,000-to-win and $500-to-start plus numerous bonuses expected to be added to the event.
The 31-race MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends campaign kicks off with The Nippy 50 at Maquoketa Speedway, in Maquoketa, Iowa. An open practice session will be held on Thursday, April 2, with complete shows on Friday & Saturday, April 3-4, paying $7,500-to-win / $1,000-to-start on Friday and $15,000-to-win / $2,000-to-start on Saturday.
For more information on the 2026 season visit marsracingseries.com.
Article Credit: Jonathan Clayton
Submitted By: Jonathan Clayton