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Iowa Triple-Header to Launch MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends 2026 Season

Iowa Triple-Header to Launch MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends 2026 Season

FAIRBURY, IL (April 13, 2026) – After opening weekend at Maquoketa Speedway was claimed by mother nature just two short weekends ago, the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends tour will now look to a pair of Iowa dirt tracks to begin the 2026 campaign. For the first time in the twenty-seven-year history of the tour, the season will begin at the Cedar County Raceway, in Tipton, Iowa, to set the scene for the weekend where a driver could claim over $20,000 if they were to sweep all three events.

On Thursday, April 16, the season will get underway with the running of the Hawkeye Land 40 at the Cedar County Raceway, in Tipton, Iowa. The $5,000-to-win event is expected to draw another loaded field of drivers as it begins what is now a 29-race 2026 slate of events for the MARS tour. Last season was the first time in series history that the tour had made a stop at the quarter mile racetrack located at the Cedar County Fairgrounds, and it was one to remember as forty-three drivers checked in for battle. At the conclusion of the 40 laps, it was Brandon Sheppard standing in O’Reilly Auto Parts victory lane over Bobby Pierce and Tanner English. The promotional team of K-Promotions and Darkside Promotions are sure to prepare another racing surface to make this another can’t miss event.

Friday and Saturday, April 17 & 18, the tour returns to the 34 Raceway, in West Burlington, Iowa, for the most talked about weekend of the season for the 3/8-mile clay oval: Slocum 50 weekend.

Of course, the weekend is highly anticipated for the on-track action, the chance to race two complete shows at the same facility, and for it typically being one of the first weekends of Super Late Model action in the state of Iowa, but this race means more. This race is about the prestige of being a champion of an event that honors a great man: Brent Slocum.

34 Raceway and the Brent Slocum Foundation pays $10,555-to-win in his honor on Saturday night to the winner of the MARS Late Model main event. Many of the drivers you will see were competitors to Brent in his 10+ years of being behind the wheel of a Late Model, but this weekend is as much about the celebration of his life by those same competitors, friends, and family, as it is seeing who crosses the start-finish line first. To call yourself a winner of this event is to walk in the shoes of a man respected by his competitors, loved by his fans, and greatly missed by us all.

Friday night’s feature event will pay $5,000-to-win as a prelude to Saturday night’s $10,555-to-win finale. Last season Bobby Pierce swept both nights and cashed in on over $15,000 for his efforts.

Slocum 50 Past Champions

2009 – Jason Frankel
2010 – Mark Burgtorf
2011 – Matt Ryan
2012 – Mike Murphy Jr
2013 – Denny Eckrich
2014 – Bobby Pierce
2015 – Ryan Unzicker
2016 – Bobby Pierce
2017 – Chris Simpson
2018 – Shannon Babb
2019 – Bobby Pierce
2020 – Bobby Pierce
2021 – Jason Papich
2022 – Dennis Erb Jr
2023 – Shannon Babb
2024 – Devin Moran
2025 – Bobby Pierce

A new season will of course bring new storylines as over 15 drivers are set to begin a championship run with the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends. As a part of those 15+ drivers, 8 intend on battling it out for the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year title throughout the 2026 season.

Event Info

Thursday, April 16

Cedar County Raceway
Tipton, Iowa

Hawkeye Land 40

$5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
IMCA Modifieds
IMCA Stock Cars
IMCA Hobby Stocks

Pits open at 3:00 P.M.
Grandstands open at 5:00 P.M.
Drivers Meeting at 6:00 P.M.
Hot Laps at 6:30 P.M.

Adult General Admission $25
General Admission ages 5-12 $10
General Admission for Kids 4 and under FREE

Pit Pass $40
Pit Pass for Kids 12 and under $20

Friday, April 17

34 Raceway
West Burlington, Iowa

Slocum Prelude presented by Midwest Performance & Power

$5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
305 Sprint Cars
Mini Hauler Trucks

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

Adult General Admission $25
Senior General Admission $20
Students Ages 11-17 General Admission $20
General Admission for Kids 10 and under FREE

Pit Pass $40

Saturday, April 18

34 Raceway
West Burlington, Iowa

Slocum 50 presented by Roederer’s Pit Stop

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

Adult General Admission $35
Senior General Admission $30
Students Ages 11-17 General Admission $30
General Admission for Kids 10 and under FREE

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 Thursday & Friday 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 – $115

MARS Late Model Saturday A-Main payout: 1) $10,555 2) $5,000 3) $2,500 4) $1,600 5) $1,400 6) $1,200 7) $1,000 8) $950 9) $900 10) $800 11) $750 12) $650 13) $600 14) $600 15) $600 16) $600 17) $600 18) $600 19) $600 20) $600 21) $600 22) $600. Non-Transfer Tow Money – $120

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR:

• CHAMPIONS DUEL: It’s no secret that the MARS Late Model title-run these days runs through Jason Feger. Feger is a 3X and defending series champion. 2022 MARS Series champion, Ryan Unzicker, is also locked in and looking to knock Feger from his throne in 2026 as after a rough start ot his season in 2025, was able to fight back and make it close with the Highside Hustler by season’s end. One driver gearing up for a potential series run in 2026 is 2X series champion, Tanner English. English went through a multitude of off-season changes and is continuing to piece a program together that can contend with the best in the Midwest. If all of the cards align, look for the #96 to be a serious factor in the championship chase throughout the season.

• NEW YEAR MEANS NEW ROOKIES: The excitement of a new year brings the excitement of seeing what new faces are in the pit area for the duration of the 2026 season. Currently 8 drivers are preparing to battle for the prize of being the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year including Mitch McGrath, Jordan Bauer, Jeffrey Ledford, Mike Mataragas, Caden McWhorter, Dylan Thornton, Austin Howes, and Chevy Boyer.

• RECORD BREAKING ROOKIE OF THE YEAR POT: After the ultra-competitive Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year battle last season, the ante has been upped for 2026. This year $7,000 in cash will be up for grabs for the 4 highest finishing rookie drivers, plus other awards, to bring the total payout to rookie drivers to close to $10,000.

• REBOOT FOR 2026: After a tough start to the 2026 season, this weekend could end up being the reboot that Dennis Erb Jr needs to get on the right track for the remainder of the year. Last season Erb Jr competed in over half of the MARS schedule including a pair of podium finishes at 34 Raceway.

• DOMINANCE OF PIERCE: No driver was more impressive in limited MARS starts last season as Bobby Pierce. In 8 feature events ran, Pierce captured 6 victories and finished no worse than 4th in any event. Pierce is currently undecided on racing for the weekend, but if he chooses so, look for him to be up front. He swept the weekend at 34 Raceway last season.

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 2026 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 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 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

• April 24, 2026 - 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

• April 25, 2026 – Peoria Speedway – Peoria, IL – Garry Swibold Memorial - $5,098-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends | $2,098-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment

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