With Labor Day weekend on the horizon, and the unofficial end of summer near, race tracks and race teams tend to begin slowing down for the season as the month progresses. Luckily for the state of Illinois, a huge weekend is on-tap for four of the top tracks in all of the Midwest as we help close the curtain on the 2026 season for Farmer City Raceway, and Spoon River Speedway, while keeping the season rolling on at the Lasalle Speedway & Event Center and Fairbury Speedway. Three nights of MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends action, with a possible $30,000 to sweep the weekend, along with a pair of $5,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment events, will help set the tone for a packed month of racing coming up for the tours.
First up for the MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends will be the Illinois Valley Showdown Presented by Action Truck Parts Inc at the LaSalle Speedway & Event Center, in LaSalle, Illinois, on Thursday, September 3. The night will kick off like your standard MARS event with hot laps, qualifying, heat races, and b-mains. After locking in the 22-car field for the feature, drivers will prepare themselves for the Twisted Twin 25’s. The first 25-lap feature will race as a standard MARS feature lined up as we typically would any other race. At the conclusion of the 25-lap feature, the checkered will fly, and the field will be restacked. A dice will then be rolled with an invert of up to 6 positions and the field will run another 25-lap feature event. This unique format is sure to make this an unforgettable night of racing action. If a driver sweeps both feature events, they will earn a $10,000 paycheck. Last season the Twisted Twin 25’s produced incredible action with Bobby Pierce and Tyler Erb splitting the pair of feature events.
MARS Late Model teams will make the hour and twenty-minute trek south on Friday, September 4, from LaSalle, to the Farmer City Raceway, in Farmer City, Illinois, for the Chuckwagon Food Service 40! The night will feature a $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model event as we help close out the 2026 racing calendar under the Friday night lights at Farmer City Raceway. The weekly points season ended for the speedway last weekend where Donny Walden was crowned as track champion over Timmy Dick and Zach Taylor. Back in July it was Jason Feger besting a 24-car field to take home the MARS victory over Ryan Unzicker and Dylan Thornton at the speedway.
Saturday, September 5, the MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment join the party as both they and the MARS Late Models will invade the Fairbury Speedway for the Illinois Dirt Shootout. One of the largest purses of the MARS Late Model season awaits teams as they will go 50-laps for a $15,000-to-win payday. MARS Modifieds will be racing for their largest payday of the season as they will go 40-laps for $5,000-to-win. The Triple Down Shootout back in May saw 31 MARS Late Model entries with Ryan Unzicker victorious over Jason Feger and McKay Wenger. 36 MARS Modifieds checked in for action that evening with Michael Ledford taking home the victory over Cole Falloway and Charlie Mefford.
Illinois Dirt Shootout Past Champions
2024 – Jason Feger LM | Mike Harrison Mod
2025 – Ashton Winger LM | Cole Falloway Mod
The Labor Day weekend swing will come to a close on Sunday, September 6, as the MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment heads to the Spoon River Speedway, in Lewistown, Illinois, for the Plowboy Nationals! The longest running event at the speedway will celebrate its 36th consecutive season of being held. Originally when scheduled this past winter, the event was to be a $2,500-to-win main event. Thanks to a plethora of sponsorship help over the summer, the winner’s share has been boosted to $5,000. The most recent visit to the speedway for the tour was for the Gary Cook Jr Memorial in May where Cole Falloway fended off Damian Kiefer and Charlie Mefford for a victory good for $2,064.
Plowboy Nationals Past Champions
1991 – Scott May
1992 – Randy Mahring
1993 – Jim Hibser
1994 – Scott May
1995 – Jim Hibser
1996 – Bryan Clendenen
1997 – Billy Tuckwell
1998 – Randy Mahring
1999 – Jeff Leka
2000 – Gary Cook Jr
2001 – Gary Cook Jr
2002 – Jim Hibser
2003 – Gary Cook Jr
2004 – Chad Kinder
2005 – Gary Cook Jr
2006 – Jim Hibser
2007 – Butch Weisser
2008 – Kevin Weaver
2009 – Allen Weisser
2010 – Mike Spatola
2011 – Brian Harris
2012 – Matt Mevert
2013 – Jeff Curl
2014 – Jacob Poel
2015 – Chad Kinder
2016 – Kenny Wallace
2017 – David Stremme
2018 – Mike Chasteen Jr
2019 – Nick Hoffman
2020 – Nick Hoffman
2021 – Nick Hoffman
2022 – Tyler Nicely
2023 – Ethan Dotson
2024 – Cole Falloway
2025 – Cole Falloway
Ryan Unzicker continues to hold down the MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends point lead by 87 over Jason Feger. A rollercoaster of a weekend left Dylan Thornton only 21 points back from Feger for second in standings while Daniel Adam and Bob Gardner round out the top-5.
Dylan Thornton extended his MARS Late Model Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year point lead over the weekend with Jeffrey Ledford and Myles Moos rounding out the field of eligible rookie competitors.
Michael Ledford continues to lead the field in MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment standings as he now holds a 136-point lead over defending series champion Cole Falloway. Ray Bollinger continues to ride third while Matthew Baker and Dave Wietholder both advanced last weekend up to fourth and fifth.
The MARS Modified Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year chase continues to see Matthew Baker out front as he now has a 72-point gap over Brayden Doyle. Owen Steinkoenig currently rides third while John Dimmitt sets forth and climbed to 10th in overall points over the weekend.
Event Info
Thursday, September 3
LaSalle Speedway & Event Center
LaSalle, IL
Illinois Valley Showdown Twisted Twin 25’s presented by Action Truck Parts Inc.
Twin $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Features
DIRTcar UMP Modifieds
DIRTcar Stock Cars
Pits open at Noon
Grandstands open at 4:00 P.M.
Drivers Meeting at 6:00 P.M.
Hot Laps at 6:30 P.M.
Adult General Admission $30
General Admission for Kids ages 6-12 $15
General Admission for Kids 5 and under FREE
Pit Pass $45
Pit Pass for Kids ages 6-12 $20
Pit Pass for Kids ages 5 and under FREE
Friday, September 4
Farmer City Raceway
Farmer City, IL
Chuckwagon Food Service 40
$5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends
DIRTcar UMP Modifieds
DIRTcar Pro Late Models
DIRTcar Stock Cars
DIRTcar Pro Modifieds
Pits open at 4:00 P.M.
Grandstands open at 4:00 P.M.
Drivers Meeting at 6:00 P.M.
Hot Laps at 6:30 P.M.
Adult General Admission $30
General Admission for Kids 12 and under FREE
Pit Pass $40
Pit Pass for Kids ages 5-12 $20
Pit Pass for Kids ages 4 and under FREE
Saturday, September 5
Fairbury Speedway
Fairbury, IL
Illinois Dirt Shootout
$15,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends
$5,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment
DIRTcar Stock Cars
Pits open at Noon
Grandstands open at Noon
Drivers Meeting at 5:00 P.M.
Hot Laps at 5:30 P.M.
Adult General Admission $30
General Admission for Kids 12 and under FREE
Pit Pass $45
Pit Pass for Kids ages 12 and under $15
Sunday, September 6
Spoon River Speedway
Lewistown, IL
Plowboy Nationals
$5,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment
DIRTcar Late Models
E-Mods
DIRTcar Hornets
Crown Vics
Kids Modz
Pits open at 1:00 P.M.
Grandstands open at 4:00 P.M.
Drivers Meeting at 5:00 P.M.
Hot Laps at 5:30 P.M.
Adult General Admission $20
General Admission for Kids 12 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 NRM NLMT3 (92) or Hoosier NRM NLMT4 (92)
Grooving and Siping will be permitted.
Event Purses
LaSalle Speedway Thursday, September 3 MARS Late Model A-Main payout for EACH 25-lapper: 1) $5,000 2) $2,500 3) $1,250 4) $800 5) $700 6) $600 7) $500 8) $475 9) $450 10) $400 11) $375 12) $325 13) $300 14) $300 15) $300 16) $300 17) $300 18) $300 19) $300 20) $300 21) $300 22) $300. Non-Transfer Tow Money – $120
Farmer City Raceway Friday, September 4 MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends 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 $120
Fairbury Speedway Saturday, September 5 MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends A-Main payout: 1) $15,000 2) $7,500 3) $4,500 4) $3,000 5) $2,500 6) $2,000 7) $1,750 8) $1,500 9) $1,250 10) $1,000 11) $800 12) $800 13) $800 14) $800 15) $800 16) $800 17) $800 18) $800 19) $800 20) $800 21) $800 22) $800. Non-Transfer Tow Money $120
Fairbury Speedway Saturday, September 5 MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment A-Main payout: 1) $5,000 2) $2,000 3) $1,500 4) $1,200 5) $1,000 6) $900 7) $800 8) $700 9) $600 10) $500 11) $400 12) $400 13) $400 14) $400 15) $400 16) $400 17) $400 18) $400 19) $400 20) $400 21) $400 22) $400. Non-Transfer Tow Money $70
Spoon River Speedway Sunday, September 6 MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment A-Main payout: 1) $2,500 + $2,500 bonus 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
MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Point Standings (Top 10)
- Ryan Unzicker – El Paso, IL – 952 points
- Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 865 points
- Dylan Thornton – Orcutt, CA – 844 points
- Daniel Adam – Peru, IL – 688 points
- Bob Gardner – Washington, IL – 671 points
- Jake Little – Springfield, IL – 657 points
- Tanner English – Benton, KY – 582 points
- Jeffrey Ledford – Pontiac, IL – 578 points
- Myles Moos – Lincoln, IL – 576 points
- Mark Voigt – Marine, IL – 523 points
Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Standings
- Dylan Thornton – Orcutt, CA – 844 points
- Jeffrey Ledford – Pontiac, IL – 578 points
- Myles Moos – Lincoln, IL – 576 points
MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Point Standings (Top 15)
- Michael Ledford – Pontiac, IL – 873 Points
- Cole Falloway – Owensboro, KY – 737 Points
- Ray Bollinger – Kewanee, IL – 717 Points
- Matthew Baker – Kouts, IN – 608 Points
- Dave Wietholder – Liberty, IL – 592 Points
- Mike McKinney – Plainfield, IL – 546 Points
- Brayden Doyle – Ashmore, IL – 536 Points
- Damian Kiefer – Ste Genevieve, MO – 533 Points
- Owen Steinkoenig – Highland, IL – 517 Points
- John Dimmitt – Macomb, IL – 483 Points
- Zeke McKenzie – Claypool, IN – 461 Points
- Trevor Neville – Mackinaw, IL – 450 Points
- Christopher Cole – Evansville, IN – 347 Points
- Charlie Mefford – Benton, KY – 326 Points
- Michael Long – Fowler, IL – 279 Points
Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Point Standings
- Matthew Baker – Kouts, IN – 608 Points
- Brayden Doyle – Ashmore, IL – 536 Points
- Owen Steinkoenig – Highland, IL – 517 Points
- John Dimmitt – Macomb, IL – 483 Points
2026 MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends Statistics
Pontiac RV Heat Race #1 Winner
Jason Feger – 4
Dennis Erb Jr – 2
Tanner English – 2
Mike Harrison – 1
Jordan Bauer – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Dylan Thornton – 1
Aaron Marrant – 1
Billy Moyer – 1
Cody Overton – 1
FK Rod Ends 1st Place Finisher
Jason Feger – 3
Ryan Unzicker – 3
Shannon Babb – 2
Dylan Thornton – 2
Ryan Gustin – 1
Jordan Bauer – 1
Brandon Sheppard – 1
Tanner English – 1
Swift Springs 4th Place Finisher
Frank Heckenast Jr – 1
Caden McWhorter – 1
Daniel Adam – 1
Mitch McGrath – 1
Ryan Gustin – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 1
Tanner English – 1
Brian Shirley – 1
Mike Spatola – 1
Matthew Larson – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
Jeffrey Ledford – 1
Billy Moyer – 1
Rodney Melvin – 1
FK Rod Ends 5th Place Finisher
Caden McWhorter – 2
Bob Gardner – 2
Jason Feger – 2
Jordan Bauer – 2
Ryan Unzicker – 1
Brayton Wallace – 1
Austin Howes – 1
Tanner English – 1
Mitch McGrath – 1
Mike Spatola – 1
Fairbury Fasteners 7th Place Finisher
Bob Gardner – 4
Jake Little – 2
Daniel Adam – 2
Dylan Thornton – 1
Myles Moos – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 1
Tanner English – 1
Rich Bell – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
Budda by Bert Transmission 9th Place Finisher
Jason Feger – 2
Tanner English – 2
Daniel Adam – 2
Austin Howes – 1
Chad Simpson – 1
McKay Wenger – 1
Jeffrey Ledford – 1
Rich Bell – 1
Myles Moos – 1
Tyler Kuykendall – 1
Blaze Burwell – 1
Hooker Harness 11th Place Finisher
Jordan Bauer – 3
Dylan Thornton – 2
Myles Moos – 2
Kolby Vandenbergh – 1
Austin Smith – 1
Donny Walden – 1
Jake Little – 1
Zach Taylor – 1
Jeff Herzog – 1
Callan Hill – 1
Keyser Manufacturing 13th Place Finisher
Bob Gardner – 3
Mark Voigt – 3
Myles Moos – 2
Daniel Adam – 2
Jake Little – 1
Lee Williams – 1
Frank Heckenast Jr – 1
Callan Hill – 1
Fast Shafts 15th Place Finisher
Myles Moos – 3
Jeffrey Ledford – 2
Mike Mataragas – 1
Mitch McGrath – 1
Chevy Boyer – 1
Austin Howes – 1
Blaze Burwell – 1
Zach Taylor – 1
Mark Voigt – 1
Rockett Bennett – 1
Bobby Burrows – 1
MD3 Hard Charger Award Winner
Bob Gardner – 2
Austin Howes – 1
Brayton Wallace – 1
Christian Miles – 1
Jason Feger – 1
Caden McWhorter – 1
Mark Voigt – 1
Dylan Thornton – 1
Frank Heckenast Jr – 1
Matthew Larson – 1
Rusty Griffaw – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
Blaze Burwell – 1
Wilwood Brakes Hard Luck Award Winner
Camden Gardner – 2
Mark Voigt – 2
Rusty Griffaw – 1
Rickey Frankel – 1
Jeffrey Ledford – 1
Terry Casey – 1
Austin Smith – 1
Keatin Lyons – 1
Mike Winn – 1
Tim Boomer – 1
Dustin Martin – 1
Doug Tye – 1
Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winner
Dylan Thornton – 11
Caden McWhorter – 1
Mitch McGrath – 1
Jeffrey Ledford – 1
2026 MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment Statistics
Multi Fire X Fast Time Award Winner
Trevor Neville – 4
Cole Falloway – 3
Brayden Doyle – 1
Kenny Wallace – 1
Dave Wietholder – 1
Michael Ledford – 1
Charlie Mefford – 1
Ray Bollinger – 1
Michael Long – 1
Willy’s Carb & Dyno Heat Race #1 Winner
Cole Falloway – 4
Trevor Neville – 2
Charlie Mefford – 2
Michael Ledford – 1
Matthew Baker – 1
Kenny Wallace – 1
Dave Wietholder – 1
Lyndon Whitfill – 1
Mike Harrison – 1
Lethal Chassis Heat Race #2 Winner
Mike McKinney – 3
Cole Falloway – 2
Ray Bollinger – 2
Michael Ledford – 2
Michael Long – 1
Damian Kiefer – 1
Seth Castleman – 1
Kenny Wallace – 1
Mike Harrison – 1
Allgaier Performance Heat Race #3 Winner
Michael Ledford – 3
Cole Falloway – 2
Brayden Doyle – 1
Carson Friedman – 1
Mike McKinney – 1
Damian Kiefer – 1
Landen Miller – 1
Austin Friedman – 1
Owen Steinkoenig – 1
Charlie Mefford – 1
Vanquish Race Cars Heat Race #4 Winner
Cole Falloway – 2
Trevor Neville – 1
Charlie Mefford – 1
Zeke McKenzie – 1
Equiplinc Trucks & Equipment B-Main #1 Winner
Owen Steinkoenig – 2
Brayden Doyle – 2
Kyle Hammer – 1
Jeff Curl – 1
Damian Kiefer – 1
Allen Weisser – 1
Jacob Steinway – 1
Summit Racing Equipment 2nd Place Finisher
Mike McKinney – 4
Ray Bollinger – 2
Michael Ledford – 2
Cole Falloway – 2
Trevor Neville – 1
Damian Kiefer – 1
Charlie Mefford – 1
Fast Shafts 3rd Place Finisher
Michael Ledford – 4
Charlie Mefford – 2
Dave Wietholder – 2
Cole Falloway – 1
Mike McKinney – 1
Mike Chasteen Jr – 1
Kenny Wallace – 1
Treb Jacoby – 1
Swift Springs 4th Place Finisher
Trevor Neville – 2
Ray Bollinger – 2
Carson Friedman – 1
Jacob Steinkoenig – 1
Mike McKinney – 1
Dave Wietholder – 1
Zeke McKenzie – 1
Landen Miller – 1
Matthew Baker – 1
Kenny Wallace – 1
Brayden Doyle – 1
Keyser Manufacturing 7th Place Finisher
Ray Bollinger – 3
Zeke McKenzie – 2
Michael Ledford – 1
Charles Hess – 1
Drew Schwartz – 1
Allen Weisser – 1
Cole Falloway – 1
Charlie Mefford – 1
Chris Spalding – 1
Matthew Baker – 1
Hooker Harness 11th Place Finisher
John Dimmitt – 3
Matthew Baker – 2
Owen Steinkoenig – 1
Dave Wietholder – 1
Lyndon Whitfill – 1
Treb Jacoby – 1
Jeff Curl – 1
Trevor Neville – 1
Kelly Kovski – 1
Ray Bollinger – 1
MD3 Hard Charger Award Winner
Dave Wietholder – 3
Mike McKinney – 1
Damian Kiefer – 1
Zeke McKenzie – 1
Christopher Cole – 1
Austin Freidman – 1
Allen Weisser – 1
Josh Lemke – 1
Brayden Doyle – 1
Chris Spalding – 1
John Dimmitt – 1
Wilwood Brakes Hard Luck Award Winner
Kyle Barker – 2
Carson Friedman – 1
Dave Wietholder – 1
Nash Hilmes – 1
Jeff Curl – 1
Taylor Kerz – 1
Lyndon Whitfill – 1
Mike Chasteen Jr – 1
Kyle Cole – 1
Damian Kiefer – 1
Paul Schrempf Jr – 1
Shane Kelley – 1
Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winner
Matthew Baker – 5
Brayden Doyle – 4
Owen Steinkoenig – 3
John Dimmitt – 1
Lethal Chassis Bonus Bucks Award Winner
Trevor Neville – 4
Nash Hilmes – 1
Tyler Spalding – 1
Josh Allen – 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 with select events being streamed live on Amazon Prime.
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
· September 3, 2026 – LaSalle Speedway – LaSalle, IL – Illinois Valley Showdown presented by Action Truck Parts Inc.- Twin $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends Features
· September 4, 2026 – Farmer City Raceway – Farmer City, IL – Chuckwagon Food Services 40 – $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends
· September 5, 2026 – Fairbury Speedway – Fairbury, IL – Illinois Dirt Shootout – $15,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends | $5,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment
· September 6, 2026 – Spoon River Speedway – Lewistown, IL – Plowboy Nationals – $5,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment
· September 18, 2026 – Kankakee County Speedway – Kankakee, IL – Big Daddy Scrap 40 – $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends
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