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MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment to Begin 2026 Campaign with Illini 100 Weekend at Farmer City Raceway

MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment to Begin 2026 Campaign with Illini 100 Weekend at Farmer City Raceway

FAIRBURY, IL (April 7, 2026) – As the winter season has come and gone, spring is here and that means one thing: back to action for the MARS Championship tours. Season four of the MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment tour is set to kick off this Friday night at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois as part of the Illini 100 weekend. The MARS Modified tour will run alongside the World of Outlaws Late Models Presented by DIRTVision for the first of two times in 2026.

Open practice will take to the Farmer City Raceway on Thursday, April 9, followed by a complete program contested for the MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment including hot lap/qualifying, heat racing, b-mains, and a 30-lap feature event on both Friday, April 10, and Saturday April 11, paying $2,000-to-win and $250-to-start each night.

Owensboro, Kentucky driver Cole Falloway broke through the hold Michael Long had on the MARS tour last season to pick up his first career series title. While holding a comfortable lead for much of the season, Falloway did receive some heat towards the end of the season by Pontiac, Illinois driver Michael Ledford. Ledford plans to compete on the tour once again in 2026 in hopes of earning the first career title for Royal Race Cars.

As the years have clicked by, it is no secret that with the talent in attendance nightly, you must be completely dialed in to have a chance at a podium finish on the tour at seasons end. Although Falloway and Ledford are two of the strongest teams in DIRTcar Modified racing currently, a host of others are expected to show up much of the season to try to claim their stake to glory such as Ray Bollinger, Trevor Neville, 2025 Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Beau DeYoung, 2024 and 2025 Champion, Michael Long, Damian Kiefer, Zeke McKenzie, and Mike McKinney, among others. A host of Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year drivers have already added their names with intent on following the tour in 2026 as they have until the conclusion of opening weekend to declare their eligibility.

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.

Event Info

Illini 100 Weekend – Farmer City Raceway – Farmer City, IL

Thursday, April 9

Open practice for both divisions competing throughout the weekend

Pits open at Noon
Practice from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
$30 Pit Pass

Friday, April 10

$2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
$12,000-to-win World of Outlaws Late Models Presented by DIRTVision

Pits open at Noon
Grandstands open at 2:00 p.m.
Drivers Meeting at 6:00 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 $45

Saturday, April 11

$2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment
$25,000-to-win World of Outlaws Late Models Presented by DIRTvision

Pits open at Noon
Grandstands open at 2:00 p.m.
Drivers Meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Hot Laps at 5:30 p.m.

Adult General Admission $40
General Admission ages 6-12 $15
General Admission ages 5 and under free
Pit Pass $50

Adult General Admission 2-day pass $70
General Admission ages 6-12 2-day pass $25
3-day Pit Pass $110
2-day Pit Pass $85

Event Purse

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 - $70) (Saturday - $75)

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR:

• CHASE AT THE TOP: The battle at the top of any series is always tough, but in the history of the MARS Modified tour it has been especially tough. In the three seasons combined, the series champion has only finished outside of the top 5, on their respective year of winning the championship, a combined seven times over the three seasons.

• ROOKIES LOOKING TO MIX IT UP: Coming off a year with a record-breaking five Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year contenders remaining at the end of the season, can 2026’s class rival the excitement that 2025 gave us? Currently, Dalton Lane, Matthew Baker, John Dimmitt, and Owen Steinkoenig have submitted their bids at the title. Competitors have until the end of opening weekend to declare their intent.

• GROWING ROOKIE OF THE YEAR POINT FUND: Speaking of the rookies, 2026 will boast the largest in the terms of money and awards in the history of the tour. $3,500 in cash will be awarded to the four highest Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year finishers plus other awards.

• RETURN TO WINNING WAYS: 2026 is a year of change, yet familiarity for Plainfield, Illinois driver, Mike McKinney. McKinney is back behind the wheel of an Elite chassis and found victory lane immediately at Volusia Speedway Park this February, where he earned a pair of victories. Can he end up in O’Reilly Auto Parts Victory Lane just as he did on opening night of Illini weekend in 2025?

• STARTING OFF STRONG: Although the MARS schedule is long, and grueling for some, starting off hot has proved to be instrumental in the chase for the title. Series Champions any of the three seasons in history, have never finished outside of the top 5 on opening weekend.

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 2026 racing season: FK Rod Ends (MARS Late Model title sponsor), Summit Racing Equipment (MARS Modified title sponsor), 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), 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, Allgaier Performance, Vanquish Race Cars, Swift Springs, LRD Products, Equiplinc Trucks & Equipment, K&S Ford, MatMan Designs, and Angry Duck Graphics.

MARS Championship Upcoming Events

• April 10, 2026 - Farmer City Raceway - Farmer City, IL - Illini 100 - $2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment

• April 11, 2026 - Farmer City Raceway - Farmer City, IL - Illini 100 - $2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment

• April 16, 2026 - Cedar County Raceway - Tipton, IA - Hawkeye Land 40 - $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

• April 17, 2026 - 34 Raceway - West Burlington, IA - Prelude to the Slocum Presented by Midwest Performance & Power - $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

• April 18, 2026 - 34 Raceway - West Burlington, IA - Slocum 50 Presented by Roederer’s Pit Stop - $10,555-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

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