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Trio of Illinois Events up Next for the MARS Championship Tours

Trio of Illinois Events up Next for the MARS Championship Tours

FAIRBURY, IL (May 11, 2026) – After two weeks off for the MARS Championship Tours, both the MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends and the MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment teams are primed and ready for a busy second half of May. Eight MARS Late Model events along with seven MARS Modified nights scatter the schedule for the remainder of the month of May, with action kicking off in a big way this weekend with three Illinois bullrings.

First up, on Friday, May 15, the MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends and the MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment head to the “bullring on broadway.” Quincy Raceways, in Quincy, Illinois, will kick off the tripleheader weekend with a rare Friday evening event. The Gem City Showdown presented by Dennis Woodworth Attorney at Law and Sparks Maintenance Contracting will be the lone stop to the speedway in 2026 for the family of tours and marks the first visit of the season for Super Late Models to the speedway. Last season the MARS Late Models made a pair of appearances to the speedway with Jason Feger and Tony Jackson Jr splitting victories, while Josh Harris took home the MARS Modified victory in 2025.

Following the Gem City Showdown, drivers, teams, and fans alike will make the two-and-a-half-hour tow south to the World Famous Highland Speedway, in Highland, Illinois, for an epic night of MARS Late Model and MARS Modified action brought to you by Bel-O Cooling and Heating. Highland has been a bright spot of the MARS tours over the past 4 seasons as series races have drawn as many as 35+ Late Models and 40+ Modifieds over the past several years thanks to its great location and strong local support. A strong contingent of MARS drivers is expected in both divisions with this event being in the heart of a three-day swing. Last season it was Shannon Babb taking home the MARS Late Model victory over Tony Jackson Jr and Ryan Unzicker, while Trevor Neville took home the MARS Modified checkered flag over Cole Falloway and Beau DeYoung.

An hour and a half up the interstate from the World Famous Highland Speedway lies a 1/6 mile bullring that both the MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends and the MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment is set to make their debut at on Sunday, May 17. That bullring is none other than the Coles County Speedway, in Mattoon, Illinois. Coles County is known as the oldest micro sprint track in the country, but for the first time ever will play host to a traveling Late Model and Modified tour, with the event brought to you by Rural King. Full size cars were introduced to the speedway last season, and 2026 has brought weekly DIRTcar sanctioned divisions of both the Pro Modifieds and the Hornets. Sunday will mark only the second ever event held for a Super Late Model or a DIRTcar UMP Modified. Last year’s first attempt at full size automobile racing saw Mike Spatola and Damian Kiefer take home victories in the inaugural Road to the Dome event.

With opening weekend in the books for the MARS Late Models, it will be El Paso, Illinois driver Ryan Unzicker rolling into Quincy with the Midwest Sheet Metal red spoiler signifying the series points lead. Frank Heckenast Jr, Dennis Erb Jr, Tanner English, and Jake Little round out the current top 5. Caden McWhorter leads the way in Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year standings over a loaded class of talent with Austin Howes, Dylan Thornton, Myles Moos, and Jordan Bauer rounding out the top 5.

After a DNF at Peoria by Cole Falloway, Mike McKinney has taken over the MARS Modified points lead and the LRD Products red spoiler as the tour heads into a tripleheader this weekend. Falloway, Michael Ledford, Ray Bollinger, and Trevor Neville complete the top 5. Owen Steinkoenig leads the way in Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year standings for the MARS Modifieds over Matthew Baker, John Dimmitt, Brayden Doyle, and Kyle Barker.

Event Info

Friday, May 15

Quincy Raceways
Quincy, IL

Gem City Showdown presented by Dennis Woodworth Attorney at Law & Sparks Maintenance Contracting

$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
DIRTcar Four Cylinders

Pits open at 4:00 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
Seniors ages 65+ General Admission $20
Students ages 11-16 General Admission $20
General Admission for Kids 10 and under FREE

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

Gem City Showdown presented by Dennis Woodworth Attorney at Law & Sparks Maintenance Contracting Added Money

MARS Late Model Feature Event lap sponsors ($25 per lap led)

Thanks to these sponsors for making this possible!

1. Dunker Concrete
2. Dunker Concrete
3. 34 Raceway
4. 34 Raceway
5. Still available
6. Still available
7. Adam Brocksieck
8. Emily Cumby
9. Quincy Auto Supply
10. Dunker Concrete
11. Dunker Concrete
12. Dunker Concrete
13. Marisa Roach
14. Still available
15. Still available
16. Still available
17. Still available
18. Still available
19. Still available
20. Blake Wittler
21. Still available
22. Still available
23. Still available
24. Moore Motorsports
25. Adams County Land Management LLC
26. Adams County Land Management LLC
27. Adams County Land Management LLC
28. Team 28 Motorsports
29. Adams County Land Management LLC
30. Quincy Auto Supply

MARS Modified Feature Event lap sponsors ($20 per lap led)

Thanks to these sponsors for making this possible!

1. Quincy Raceways Hall of Fame
2. Alicia Owsley
3. Dunker Concrete
4. Dunker Concrete
5. Dunker Concrete
6. Dave Owsley
7. Adams County Land Management LLC
8. Tanner Jud
9. Hoopie-Rose Foundation
10. Hoopie-Rose Foundation
11. Hoopie-Rose Foundation
12. Auds Rock Shop
13. Auds Rock Shop
14. Auds Rock Shop
15. Auds Rock Shop
16. Auds Rock Shop
17. Adams County Land Management
18. Dunker Concrete
19. Adams County Land Management
20. Adams County Land Management
21. Adams County Land Management
22. Adams County Land Management
23. Noxin Trucking LLC
24. Noxin Trucking LLC
25. Dunker Concrete

Saturday, May 16

World Famous Highland Speedway
Highland, IL

MARS night presented by BEL-O Cooling, Heating, & Plumbing Inc

$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
600CC Mini Sprints

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

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

Pit Pass $40
Pit Pass for Kids 12 and under $25

Sunday, May 17

Coles County Speedway
Mattoon, IL

Mission 40 presented by Rural King

$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 Four Cylinders

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

Adult General Admission $30
General Admission for Kids 10 and under $15

Pit Pass $40
Pit Pass for Kids 10 and under $20

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 Championship powered by FK Rod Ends nightly 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, Sunday $115

MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment nightly 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, $65 Sunday

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

1. Ryan Unzicker – El Paso, IL – 132 points
2. Frank Heckenast Jr – Frankfort, IL – 130 points
3. Dennis Erb Jr – Carpentersville, IL – 108 points
4. Tanner English – Benton, KY – 104 points
5. Jake Little – Springfield, IL – 100 points
6. Caden McWhorter – Fairbury, IL – 94 points
7. Austin Howes – Lewistown, MO – 93 points
8. Dylan Thornton – Orcutt, CA – 92 points
9. Myles Moos – Lincoln, IL – 87 points
10. Daniel Adam – Peru, IL – 86 points
11. Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 78 points
12. Bob Gardner – Washington, IL – 77 points
13. Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IL – 75 points
14. Jordan Bauer – St. Jacob, IL – 75 points
15. Mike Mataragas – DeKalb, IL – 73 points
16. Mark Voigt – Marine, IL – 67 points
17. Jeffrey Ledford – Pontiac, IL – 66 points
18. Brayton Wallace – Peoria, IL – 57 points
19. Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 54 points
20. Rockett Bennett – Argenta, IL – 54 points

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Standings

1. Caden McWhorter – Fairbury, IL – 94 points
2. Austin Howes – Lewistown, MO – 93 points
3. Dylan Thornton – Orcutt, CA – 92 points
4. Myles Moos – Lincoln, IL – 87 points
5. Jordan Bauer – St. Jacob, IL – 75 points
6. Mike Mataragas – DeKalb, IL – 73 points
7. Jeffrey Ledford – Pontiac, IL – 66 points
8. Chevy Boyer – New Haven, MO – 49 points
9. Mitch McGrath – Waukesha, WI – 40 points

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

1. Mike McKinney – Plainfield, IL – 265 Points
2. Cole Falloway – Owensboro, KY – 245 Points
3. Michael Ledford – Pontiac, IL – 245 Points
4. Ray Bollinger – Kewanee, IL – 213 Points
5. Trevor Neville – Mackinaw, IL – 199 Points
6. Zeke McKenzie – Claypool, IN – 180 Points
7. Dave Wietholder – Liberty, IL – 176 Points
8. Owen Steinkoenig – Highland, IL – 164 Points
9. Matthew Baker – Kouts, IN – 148 Points
10. Carson Friedman – Fairbury, IL – 143 Points
11. Austin Friedman – Fairbury, IL – 138 Points
12. Michael Long – Fowler, IL – 135 Points
13. Damian Kiefer – Ste Genevieve, MO – 130 Points
14. John Dimmitt – Macomb, IL – 121 Points
15. Brayden Doyle – Ashmore, IL – 118 Points
16. Kyle Barker – Cooksville, IL – 112 Points
17. Lyndon Whitfill – Fairbury, IL – 111 Points
18. Mike Chasteen Jr – Peoria, IL – 98 Points
19. Beau DeYoung – Demotte, IN – 92 Points
20. Kyle Hammer – Clinton, IL – 88 Points

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Point Standings

1. Owen Steinkoenig – Highland, IL – 164 Points
2. Matthew Baker – Kouts, IN – 148 Points
3. John Dimmitt – Macomb, IL – 121 Points
4. Brayden Doyle – Ashmore, IL – 118 Points
5. Kyle Barker – Cooksville, IL – 112 Points
6. Dalton Lane – Botkins, OH – 42 Points

2026 MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends Statistics

Pontiac RV Heat Race #1 Winner

Mike Harrison – 1
Jason Feger – 1

FK Rod Ends 1st Place Finisher

Ryan Gustin – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1

Swift Springs 4th Place Finisher

Frank Heckenast Jr – 1
Caden McWhorter – 1

FK Rod Ends 5th Place Finisher

Ryan Unzicker – 1
Brayton Wallace – 1

Fairbury Fasteners 7th Place Finisher

Dylan Thornton – 1
Myles Moos – 1

Budda by Bert Transmission 9th Place Finisher

Austin Howes – 1
Jason Feger – 1

Hooker Harness 11th Place Finisher

Jordan Bauer – 1
Dylan Thornton – 1

Keyser Manufacturing 13th Place Finisher

Mark Voigt – 1
Bob Gardner – 1

Fast Shafts 15th Place Finisher

Myles Moos – 1
Mike Mataragas – 1

MD3 Hard Charger Award Winner

Austin Howes – 1
Brayton Wallace – 1

Wilwood Brakes Hard Luck Award Winner

Rusty Griffaw – 1
Mark Voigt – 1

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winner

Dylan Thornton – 1
Caden McWhorter – 1

2026 MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment Statistics

Multi Fire X Fast Time Award Winner

Cole Falloway – 1
Brayden Doyle – 1
Kenny Wallace – 1
Trevor Neville – 1

Willy’s Carb & Dyno Heat Race #1 Winner

Michael Ledford – 1
Matthew Baker – 1
Kenny Wallace – 1
Cole Falloway – 1

Lethal Chassis Heat Race #2 Winner

Mike McKinney – 2
Michael Long – 1
Ray Bollinger – 1

Allgaier Performance Heat Race #3 Winner

Cole Falloway – 2
Brayden Doyle – 1
Carson Friedman – 1

Vanquish Race Cars Heat Race #4 Winner

Trevor Neville – 1
Cole Falloway – 1

Equiplinc Trucks & Equipment B-Main #1 Winner

Owen Steinkoenig – 2
Kyle Hammer – 1
Jeff Curl – 1

Summit Racing Equipment 2nd Place Finisher

Mike McKinney – 2
Trevor Neville – 1
Ray Bollinger – 1

Fast Shafts 3rd Place Finisher

Michael Ledford – 1
Cole Falloway – 1
Mike McKinney – 1
Mike Chasteen Jr – 1

Swift Springs 4th Place Finisher

Trevor Neville – 1
Carson Friedman – 1
Jacob Steinkoenig – 1
Mike McKinney – 1

Keyser Manufacturing 7th Place Finisher

Ray Bollinger – 1
Zeke McKenzie – 1
Michael Ledford – 1
Charles Hess – 1

Hooker Harness 11th Place Finisher

Matthew Baker – 1
Owen Steinkoenig – 1
Dave Wietholder – 1
Lyndon Whitfill – 1

MD3 Hard Charger Award Winner

Dave Wietholder – 2
Mike McKinney – 1
Damian Kiefer – 1

Wilwood Brakes Hard Luck Award Winner

Carson Friedman – 1
Dave Wietholder – 1
Kyle Barker – 1
Nash Hilmes – 1

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winner

Owen Steinkoenig – 2
Brayden Doyle – 1
Matthew Baker – 1

Lethal Chassis Bonus Bucks Award Winner

Trevor Neville – 3
Nash Hilmes – 1

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

• May 15, 2026 – Quincy Raceways – Quincy, IL - Gem City Showdown presented by Dennis Woodworth Attorney at Law & Sparks Maintenance Contracting - $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 16, 2026 – Highland Speedway – Highland, IL - MARS night presented by BEL-O Cooling, Heating, & Plumbing Inc - $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, 2026 – Coles County Speedway – Mattoon, IL - Mission 40 presented by Rural King - $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 22, 2026 – Davenport Speedway – Davenport, IA - Corn State Nationals - $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

• May 23, 2026 – 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

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