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MARS Championship Tours Return to Action: 4 Events in 5 Days

MARS Championship Tours Return to Action: 4 Events in 5 Days

FAIRBURY, IL (July 17, 2023) After 7 weeks off, the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends and MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment will hit the track for a collection of must-see events. Although both series have been off, full-time teams of each tour have hustled the highways and captured checkered flags across the Midwest. Point leaders Jason Feger and Tyler Nicely have captured 11 victories between the two of them while both series have been idle. The anticipation of the return to points racing is sure to have Feger, Nicely, and the rest of the competitors of the MARS tours on their A-game for this weekend’s events.

With 9 events in and 11 events remaining, Jason Feger and Ryan Unzicker have taken full command of the top 2 positions in the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends standings. Feger currently holds a 22-point lead over El Paso, Illinois driver Ryan Unzicker. Between the two, they have captured 5 of the first 9 series events in 2023. Hard charging Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year contenders Tommy Sheppard Jr and Mike Harrison currently sit third and fourth in points while Bob Gardner rounds out the top 5. The MARS Late Model Championship Tour has sat the bar for regional Late Model racing this season, as 14 drivers have followed the series to the halfway point of the schedule.

Tyler Nicely continues to lead the charge in the MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment point standings after capturing wins in 3 of the first 8 series events. As the current point leader of MARS, the Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, and the DIRTcar UMP Modified national points, Nicely has sat the bar for the division throughout the country. Drivers looking to lead the charge to change the narrative of the 2023 season is second in points Josh Harris with Kyle Steffens, Michael Long, and Mike Chasteen Jr currently rounding out the top 5 in series standings. With the series currently averaging 39 cars a night, you can expect to continue to see the best DIRTcar UMP Modified fields in the country on the MARS tour.

Friday, July 21 – Jacksonville Speedway – Jacksonville, IL – MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends – Wild Man Kelly Classic

For the first time in series history, the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends will invade the Jacksonville Speedway in Jacksonville, Illinois for the 9th annual Wild Man Kelly Classic. The Kenny Dobson promoted facility, primarily known as an open-wheel destination, has had a multitude of successful special events over the course of the past decade that has lifted it as one of the top racetracks in the state of Illinois. With this being the lone Super Late Model event of the 2023 season, drivers are looking forward to showcasing their talents on the ¼ mile bullring located on the Morgan County Fairgrounds.

Adding to the excitement of the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends event will be the 305 Sprint Cars, DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, and the DIRTcar Stock Cars. Pit gates will open at 4:00 p.m. with grandstand gates opening at 5:00 p.m. The driver’s meeting is set for 5:45 p.m. with hot laps beginning at 6:15 p.m. sharp. Ticket prices for Friday’s event are $25 in the grandstands with young adults ages 11-18 admitted for $5. Children 10 and under will be admitted for free. Pit passes will be available for $40.

Former Wild Man Kelly Classic event winners include:
2013: Shannon Babb
2014: Jason Feger
2015: Bobby Pierce
2016: Bobby Pierce
2017: Billy Moyer
2018: Brandon Sheppard
2019: Brandon Sheppard
2022: Brandon Sheppard

Saturday, July 22 – Federated Auto Parts Raceway @ I-55 – Pevely, MO – MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends & MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment – Tribute to Ed Dixon Presented by Bloomsdale Excavating

In the St. Louis racing scene, there aren’t many names that hold weight quite like the #50 from Washington, Missouri. This Saturday night the track, series, fans, and competitors alike will race in tribute to Ed Dixon. Dixon, a National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer, had a multitude of accomplishments over the course of his career including over 620 career feature wins across 22 different states. Saturday, July 22 will mark the lone visit of the season to the state of Missouri for the MARS Championship Tours as both series will roll into the 1/3-mile clay oval located in Pevely, Missouri known as the Federated Auto Parts Raceway @ I-55.

The standard purse for the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends is set at $5,000 to win and $500 to start while the MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment will battle for $2,000 to win and $250 to start. Joining the action for the event Saturday night will be the AARA/DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Pro Mods, and the AARA/DIRTcar Pro 4’s.

The Dixon family has collected donations from businesses and fans alike and would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of this event: Bloomsdale Excavating, High Caliber Graphics, Dan Althoff Trucking, Millard Family Chapels, Allen Automotive, Anything Automotive & Truck, The Traveling Circus, Passiglia’s Quality Lawn Care, Big Nasty Motorsports, Impressive Racecars, Creative Touch Paint & Design, Wheelchairs & Walkers Racing, and Tiffany Motorsports. Bonuses will be given throughout the night on top of the standard event purse.

Pit gates on Saturday are set to open at 4:00 p.m. while the general admission gates will open at 5:00 p.m. The driver’s meeting will take place at 5:45 p.m. with hot laps set to hit the speedway at 6:15 p.m. Ticket prices are $30 for general admission with ages 12 and under being admitted for free. Pit passes are $40 for adults, $20 for children ages 6-12, with children ages 5 and under being admitted for free.

Sunday, July 23 – Adams County Speedway – Quincy, IL – MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment

Sunday night will mark the second trip of the season for the MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment to Adams County Speedway in Quincy, Illinois. During the series’ first visit of the year, Kyle Steffens of St. Charles, Missouri topped a 29-car field on his way to the checkered flag over Tyler Nicely, Josh Harris, Michael Long, and Trevor Neville. All are expected to be back to try to top Steffens this time around. Since the last visit for the series, no one has been hotter at the speedway than current track point leader Austen Becerra. Becerra has picked up 4 victories since that night including the Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals event on June 28.

Alongside the MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment will be the DIRTcar Pro Late Models, IMCA Sport Mods, Street Stocks, and DIRTcar 4 Cylinders. With many competitors having long trips back home on Sunday night, every effort will be made to have the Modified portion of the event completed at a reasonable hour. Pit gates will open at 2:30 p.m. while the general admission gates will open at 3:30 p.m. Driver’s meeting is slated for 5:00 p.m. with hot laps hitting the track at 5:30 p.m. General admission tickets will be available for $20 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-13, with children 5 and under being admitted for free. Pit passes will be $40 with children ages 13 and under being admitted for $20.

Tuesday, July 25 – Davenport Speedway – Davenport, IA – MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

Rounding out the month of July for the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends is one of the two highest paying events of the season for the tour: The Hoker 50 at Davenport Speedway. Davenport has solidified its position as one of the top Dirt Late Model destinations for drivers and fans alike over the past few years, which consistently has led to solid car counts in the pit area and a packed grandstand of fans every show. During the 2022 edition of the Hoker 50, Hudson O’Neal was victorious after the 50-lap main event over Bobby Pierce, Devin Moran, Max Blair, and Mike Marlar. Being a Tuesday night leading up to the Prairie Dirt Classic at Fairbury Speedway, one of the biggest elements of excitement for the event is always what cars and stars decide to stop in for the $10,000-to-win battle en route to FALS.

Joining the $10,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Hoker 50 event will be the IMCA Modifieds and the Outlaw Street Stocks. Pit gates will open on race day at 2:00 p.m. with grandstands opening to the public at 5:00 p.m. The driver’s meeting will take place at the series command center at 6:00 p.m. with hot laps hitting the track at 6:30 p.m. General admission tickets for adults are $30, $10 for kids ages 5-12, with children ages 4 and under being admitted for free. Pit passes will be available for $40 with children ages 12 and under being $20.

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Tire Rule for each night:

LF: Hoosier NLMT2/LM20/NLMT3/LM30
RF: Hoosier NLMT2/LM20/NLMT3/LM30
LR: Hoosier NLMT2/LM20/NLMT3/LM30
RR: Hoosier NLMT3/LM30/NLMT4/LM40

Grooving and Siping will be permitted. We will mark tires at the scales after qualifying. You must run these 4 tires for the remainder of the night. You will be allowed 1 new tire for the feature only. If you have a flat in Qualifying, Heat Race, or B-Main, you must replace with a used tire of the same compound.

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Feature purse for Jacksonville and Federated Auto Parts Raceway @ I-55: 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 $90) (Saturday $90)

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Feature purse for Davenport: 1) $10,000 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 - $90

MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Feature purse for Saturday & Sunday: 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 – (Saturday $65) (Sunday $65)

2023 MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Point Standings

1. Jason Feger - Bloomington, IL - 550 points
2. Ryan Unzicker - El Paso, IL - 528 points
3. Tommy Sheppard Jr - New Berlin, IL - 461 points
4. Mike Harrison - Highland, IL - 458 points
5. Bob Gardner - Washington, IL - 398 points
6. Jake Little - Springfield, IL - 369 points
7. Rich Dawson - Lowell, IN - 360 points
8. Blaze Burwell - Mt. Vernon, IL - 355 points
9. Justin White - Stevensville, MI - 306 points
10. Mark Voigt - Marine, IL - 292 points
11. Shannon Babb - Moweaqua, IL - 253 points
12. Kyle Hammer - Clinton, IL - 253 points
13. Logan Nickerson - Vestaburg, MI - 245 points
14. Doug Tye - Troy, IL - 241 points
15. Billy Moyer - Batesville, AR - 240 points
16. Kye Blight - Bunbury, Western Australia - 226 points
17. Frank Heckenast Jr - Frankfort, IL - 216 points
18. Brandon Sheppard - New Berlin, IL - 215 points
19. Rodney Melvin - Benton, IL - 212 points
20. Kevin Weaver - Gibson City, IL - 209 points

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Point Standings

1. Tommy Sheppard Jr - New Berlin, IL - 461 points
2. Mike Harrison - Highland, IL - 458 points
3. Jake Little - Springfield, IL - 369 points
4. Rich Dawson - Lowell, IN - 360 points
5. Blaze Burwell - Mt. Vernon, IL - 355 points
6. Justin White - Stevensville, MI - 306 points
7. Kyle Hammer - Clinton, IL - 253 points
8. Logan Nickerson - Vestaburg, MI - 245 points
9. Doug Tye - Troy, IL - 241 points
10. Kye Blight - Bunbury, Western Australia - 226 points

MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Point Standings

1. Tyler Nicely - Owensboro, KY - 490 points
2. Josh Harris - Utica, KY - 449 points
3. Kyle Steffens - St. Charles, MO - 440 points
4. Michael Long - Fowler, IL - 399 points
5. Mike Chasteen Jr - Peoria, IL - 360 points
6. Charlie Mefford - Belton, KY - 351 points
7. Allen Weisser - Peoria, IL - 343 points
8. Trevor Neville - Mackinaw, IL - 339 points
9. Zeke McKenzie - Claypool, IN - 337 points
10. Dillon Nusbaum - Warsaw, IN - 326 points
11. Mike McKinney - Plainfield, IL - 311 points
12. Blake Bailey - Bunker Hill, IL - 249 points
13. Logan Veloz - Colona, IL - 231 points
14. Cole Falloway - Owensboro, KY - 221 points
15. Brian Shaw - Robinson, IL - 210 points
16. Rick Frasure - Lawrenceville, IL - 209 points
17. Ray Bollinger - Kewanee, IL - 152 points
18. Steven Brooks - Bradley, IL - 150 points
19. Caden McWhorter - Fairbury, IL - 139 points
20. Danny Schwartz - Ashmore, IL - 120 points

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Points Standings

1. Charlie Mefford - Belton, KY - 351 points
2. Blake Bailey - Bunker Hill, IL - 249 points
3. Logan Veloz - Colona, IL - 231 points
4. Rick Frasure - Lawrenceville, IL - 209 points

2023 MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Statistics

Illinois State Rifle Association Heat Race #1 Winners
Tyler Erb – 2
McKay Wenger – 1
Brandon Sheppard – 1
Kevin Weaver – 1
Dillon McCowan – 1
Payton Freeman – 1
Jason Feger – 1
Billy Moyer Jr – 1

Pontiac RV Heat Race #2 Winners
Ryan Unzicker – 4
Drake Troutman – 2
Jason Feger – 1
Kevin Weaver – 1
Mike Harrison – 1

FK Rod Ends 1st Place Finisher
Jason Feger – 3
Ryan Unzicker – 2
Tyler Erb – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Brandon Sheppard – 1
Billy Moyer – 1

Out-Pace Racing Products 3rd Place Finisher
Tommy Sheppard Jr – 2
Shannon Babb – 1
Brian Shirley – 1
Drake Troutman – 1
Logan Nickerson – 1
Mike Harrison – 1
Bob Gardner – 1
Rich Bell – 1

FK Rod Ends 5th Place Finisher
Jason Feger – 2
Ryan Unzicker – 2
Kyle Hammer – 1
Rodney Melvin – 1
Rich Dawson – 1
Mike Harrison – 1
Payton Freeman – 1

Fairbury Fastener 7th Place Finisher
Billy Moyer Jr – 2
Tanner English – 1
Frank Heckenast Jr – 1
Blaze Burwell – 1
Billy Moyer – 1
Dillon McCowan – 1
Justin Reed – 1
Jason Feger – 1

Budda by Bert Transmission 9th Place Finisher
Bob Gardner – 2
Drake Troutman – 1
Taylor Scheffler – 1
Tommy Sheppard Jr – 1
Mike Spatola – 1
Josh Boller – 1
Trevor Gundaker – 1
Jake Little – 1

Hooker Harness 11th Place Finisher
Kye Blight – 2
Blaze Burwell – 2
Daryn Klein – 1
Logan Nickerson – 1
Frank Heckenast Jr – 1
Bob Gardner – 1
Mike Harrison – 1

Keyser Manufacturing 13th Place Finisher
Rich Dawson – 1
Mike Spatola – 1
Logan Nickerson – 1
Bob Gardner – 1
Kyle Hammer – 1
Justin White – 1
Blaze Burwell – 1
Frank Heckenast Jr – 1
Jake Little – 1

Fast Shafts 15th Place Finisher
Bob Gardner – 1
Jake Little – 1
Mark Voigt – 1
Justin White – 1
Jason Feger – 1
Austin Howes – 1
Roben Huffman – 1
Mike Mataragas – 1
Kye Blight – 1

MD3 Hard Charger Award Winners
Rodney Melvin – 2
Tommy Sheppard Jr – 2
Jason Feger – 1
Taylor Scheffler – 1
Kyle Hammer – 1
Blaze Burwell – 1
Billy Moyer – 1

Wilwood Brakes Hard Luck Award Winners
Kyle Hammer – 2
Matt Bailey – 1
Kevin Weaver – 1
Brandon Tibaldi – 1
Chase Osterhoff – 1
Trevor Gundaker – 1
Mark Voigt – 1
Jordan Bauer – 1

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winners
Tommy Sheppard Jr – 4
Mike Harrison – 2
Blaze Burwell – 1
Logan Nickerson – 1
Rich Dawson – 1

2023 MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Statistics

Multi Fire X Fast Time Award Winners
Josh Harris – 2
Tyler Nicely – 2
John Clippinger – 1
Kyle Steffens – 1
Jared Thomas – 1
Trevor Neville – 1

Willy’s Carb & Dyno Heat Race #1 Winners
Kyle Steffens – 2
Josh Harris – 2
Charlie Mefford – 1
Zeke McKenzie – 1
John Clippinger – 1
Tyler Nicely – 1

Summit Racing Equipment 1st Place Finisher
Tyler Nicely – 3
Kyle Steffens – 2
Michael Long – 1
Mike McKinney – 1
Cole Falloway – 1

Fast Shafts 3rd place Finisher
Josh Harris – 2
Trevor Neville – 1
Kyle Steffens – 1
Tyler Nicely – 1
Derek Losh – 1
Dillon Nusbaum – 1
Mike McKinney – 1

Out-Pace Racing Products 5th Place Finisher
Mike Chasteen Jr – 2
Zeke McKenzie – 1
Allen Weisser – 1
Dillon Nusbaum – 1
Trevor Neville – 1
Josh Harris – 1
Brandon Roberts – 1

Keyser Manufacturing 7th Place Finisher
Zeke McKenzie – 2
Charlie Mefford – 1
John Clippinger – 1
Allen Weisser – 1
Rick Conoyer – 1
Caden McWhorter – 1
Kyle Steffens – 1

Hooker Harness 11th Place Finisher
Mike McKinney – 1
Cole Falloway – 1
Josh Lemke – 1
Justin Jones – 1
Jacob Rexing – 1
Josh Harris – 1
Steven Brooks – 1
Mike Brooks – 1

MD3 Hard Charger Award Winners
Michael Long – 1
Caden McWhorter – 1
Justin Jones – 1
Will Krup – 1
Logan Veloz – 1
Dave Baldwin – 1
Mike Chasteen Jr – 1
Danny Schwartz – 1

Wilwood Brakes Hard Luck Award Winners
Blake Bailey – 2
Cole Falloway – 1
Trevor Neville – 1
Zeke McKenzie – 1
Logan Mounce – 1
Allen Weisser – 1
Josh Allen – 1

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winners
Charlie Mefford – 6
Caden McWhorter – 1
Logan Veloz – 1

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR:
• Return to racing for MARS: After 54 days off for the mid-summer break, the MARS staff and competitors are eager to return to racing. With big money shows and unique venues, the second half of the season is sure to deliver just as much action as the first half of the season did. 11 MARS Late Model and 11 MARS Modified races remain on the 2023 schedule.

• The unknown of Jacksonville: Teams are always looking for the great equalizer, and Friday’s show at Jacksonville is just that. A ¼-mile bullring that produces excellent racing and has averaged 1 Late Model show every year for the past decade, is the perfect recipe for an equal playing field.

• Reset for Kyle Steffens: One driver that has taken advantage of the mid-summer break has been Kyle Steffens. Steffens has taken off the past month to reset his program and get back to his winning ways. He will look to break out a brand-new car at this weekend’s shows at Federated Auto Parts Raceway @ I-55 and Adams County Speedway. Steffens currently sits 3rd in series standings.

• Tommy Sheppard Jr back in action: If there is any driver in the field that has the feeling that he has what it takes to pick up his first MARS victory of 2023, it would be New Berlin’s Tommy Sheppard Jr. Following his 23rd to 4th charge at Spoon River Speedway on May 28th, it was announced in mid-June that Sheppard Jr and Bob Gardner Racing would be mutually splitting for the remainder of the tour. Tommy has spent the past month making plans and readying himself for the remainder of the MARS season where he currently leads Sunoco Race Fuel Rookie of the Year chase by a mere 3 points over Mike Harrison.

• STL contingent ready to shine: The St. Louis area has always been known as one of the hotbeds of Midwest Late Model racing that has produced numerous double digit feature winners over the past decade. MARS regulars Mike Harrison, Blaze Burwell, Mark Voigt, and Doug Tye will be looking to capitalize on their Federated Auto Parts Raceway @ I-55 experience but will be met with many strong challengers that rip around the 1/3-mile bullring weekly. Drivers such as Michael Kloos, Rusty Griffaw, Jordan Bauer, Daryn Klein, and Jeff Herzog are sure to put up a fight for the $5,000+ victory on Saturday night.

If you are unable to make it to the track over the next week, you can Jacksonville, I-55, and Davenport plus EVERY MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends event in 2023 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, Twitter, 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 2023 racing season: FK Rod Ends, Summit Racing Equipment, Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts, Flo Racing, Racing Electronics, Hoosier Racing Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels, Illinois State Rifle Association, Pontiac RV, Allstar Performance, O’Reilly Auto Parts, DIRTcar Racing, Driscoll Motors, Woods Basement Systems, MD3, Josh James Artwork, MWD Signs & Graphix, Fairbury Fastener & Supply, King’s Graphix, Dirt Draft, Digital Copy Systems, Whelen, Multi Fire X, Budda Bert Transmission, Dyer’s Top Rods, Fast Shafts, Wilwood Brakes, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Out-Pace Racing Products, Keyser Manufacturing, Varsitee Screenprinting, Willy’s Carb & Dyno, Mackinaw Valley Powder Coating, Trackside Racewear, and Hooker Harness.

MARS Championship Upcoming Events

o July 21, 2023 – Jacksonville Speedway – Jacksonville, IL – Wild Man Kelly Classic - $5,000 to win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

o July 22, 2023 – Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 – Pevely, MO – Tribute to Ed Dixon - $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

o July 23, 2023 – Adams County Speedway – Quincy, IL - $2,000 to win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment

o July 25, 2023 – Davenport Speedway – Davenport, IA – Hoker 50 - $10,000 to win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

o August 18, 2023 – Tri City Speedway – Granite City, IL – Gary Gerstner 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

o August 19, 2023 – World Famous Highland Speedway – Highland, 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

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