It’s not very often on a regional tour that you can find new places that fit the mold of the schedule, that the tour has never visited before. It is especially not often when there are a pair of them on the same weekend. Maybe it’s the new tracks, maybe it’s the minimal travel between each night, or maybe it’s optimism that this weekend will start the final month and a half of the MARS schedules on the right foot after a tough battle with mother nature throughout 2026, but the excitement over this weekend is as high as it has been all season with fans, media, and race teams. Three tracks, three consecutive nights, three complete shows, and it all gets kicked off this Friday night in the state of Missouri.
Friday, August 28, the MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends and the MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment will head to the Show-Me state to tackle the Benton Speedway for the first time ever. The 3/8-mile dirt track, located in Benton, Missouri, reopened in 2022, after sitting dormant since 2014, and has been steadily making gains each season. This year has been one of the best since reopening as over 100 cars have been the norm on just about any given night at the speedway. This year the American Sprint Car Series, American Big Rigs, and the DIRTcar Summer Nationals have all visited intermingled throughout the weekly racing calendar. Billy Moyer was victorious in the only Super Late Model race of the season to-date, while MARS Modified regular Damian Kiefer picked up the Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals victory back in June. Five classes will be on the card for an action-packed night of racing headlined by the $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model and $2,000-to-win MARS Modified feature events.
After the night of racing at Benton, teams will make the short hour and a half trip north on Interstate-55 to the I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park, in Pevely, Missouri, for another night of action with both the MARS Late Models and the MARS Modifieds, on Saturday, August 29. This will be the only stop of the season for the MARS Late Models. The MARS Modifieds will be in action at I-55 the final weekend in September in conjunction with the World of Outlaws Late Models for two additional nights. I-55 has provided a host of exciting nights with the MARS tours over the years, and this Saturday night promises to be no different. Ryan Unzicker advanced four positions to take home the MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends victory last season at I-55 over Michael Leach and Jason Feger. Ryan Hamilton picked up his first career MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment victory last July at I-55 over Dave Wietholder and Kenny Wallace.
The three-night weekend for both the MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends and the MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment will come to a close on Sunday, August 30, with one of the latest editions to the 2026 slate of events for both tours. For the first time in series history, the MARS tours will invade the all-new Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway, in Belleville, Illinois. In 2018 the MARS Late Model tour made its only ever stop to the 1/5-mile Belle-Clair Speedway, with Brian Shirley taking home the feature win. This time, both tours will head to the same address as in 2018, but with an all-new state-of-the-art facility built on a different part of the property that now is the home to a 1/4-mile track. The speedway has held one event, with the second event being claimed by extreme heat, and produced a sellout crowd in the general admission stands with thousands in attendance. A capacity crowd is expected Sunday as this will mark the first ever Late Model event held at the new track. Mike Harrison was victorious on opening night in DIRTcar UMP Modified action over Jacob Steinkoenig and Noah Sugg.
A victory at Sycamore and a top-5 finish at Macon keeps Ryan Unzicker ahead in MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends standings by 83 markers. Even with Unzicker’s victory, the two runner-up finishes by Bloomington, Illinois driver Jason Feger last weekend allowed him to close the gap between the two ever-so-slightly. Dylan Thornton continues to ride comfortably in third with Daniel Adam in fourth. After a pair of top-7 finishes, Bob Gardner advanced to fifth in series standings, with only six points between he and Adam.
Dylan Thornton found victory lane at Macon Speedway to pick up his first career MARS victory and extended his Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year lead to over 200 points. Myles Moos advanced to second our last time on track, with Jeffrey Ledford hot on his heels for third. After missing numerous events, Caden McWhorter and Austin Howes have fallen to fourth and fifth.
Michael Ledford carries the LRD Products red spoiler and a modest 74-point lead into MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment action this weekend. Defending series champion, Cole Falloway, currently rides second with Ray Bollinger, Mike McKinney, and Damian Kiefer rounding out the top-5.
Kouts, Indiana driver Matthew Baker continues to show the way in MARS Modified Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year standings over Brayden Doyle, Owen Steinkoenig, and John Dimmitt. All four drivers are within 90 points of each other, and with 9 races left on the schedule, it is still anyone’s race.
Event Info
Friday, August 28
Benton Speedway
Benton, Missouri
$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
Gateway Vintage Cars
Kids Modz
Pits open at 3:00 P.M.
Grandstands open at 5:00 P.M.
Drivers Meeting at 6:30 P.M.
Hot Laps at 7:00 P.M.
Adult General Admission $25
General Admission for Kids 12 and under FREE
Pit Pass $45
Pit Passes for Kids Ages 6-12 $25
Pit Passes for Kids 5 and under FREE
Saturday, August 29
I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park
Pevely, Missouri
$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
DIRTcar Sportsman
Pits open at 11:00 A.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 $30
General Admission for Kids 12 and under FREE
Pit Pass $45
Pit Passes for Kids Ages 6-12 $25
Pit Passes for Kids 5 and under FREE
Sunday, August 30
Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway
Belleville, Illinois
$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
Pits open at 2:00 P.M.
Grandstands open for advance ticket buyers at 4:00 P.M.
Grandstands open for day-of ticket buyers at 4:30 P.M.
Drivers Meeting at 5:00 P.M.
Hot Laps at 5:30 P.M.
Adult General Admission $30
General Admission for Kids Ages 6-12 $10
General Admission for Kids 5 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
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 $120
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
MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Point Standings (Top 10)
1. Ryan Unzicker – El Paso, IL – 782 points
2. Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 699 points
3. Dylan Thornton – Orcutt, CA – 670 points
4. Daniel Adam – Peru, IL – 549 points
5. Bob Gardner – Washington, IL – 543 points
6. Jake Little – Springfield, IL – 534 points
7. Myles Moos – Lincoln, IL – 463 points
8. Jeffrey Ledford – Pontiac, IL – 448 points
9. Tanner English – Benton, KY – 437 points
10. Mark Voigt – Marine, IL – 409 points
Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Standings
- Dylan Thornton – Orcutt, CA – 670 points
- Myles Moos – Lincoln, IL – 463 points
- Jeffrey Ledford – Pontiac, IL – 448 points
- Caden McWhorter – Fairbury, IL – 406 points
- Austin Howes – Lewistown, MO – 329 points
- Jordan Bauer – St. Jacob, IL – 322 points
- Mitch McGrath – Waukesha, WI – 305 points
MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Point Standings (Top 15)
- Michael Ledford – Pontiac, IL – 653 Points
- Cole Falloway – Owensboro, KY – 579 Points
- Ray Bollinger – Kewanee, IL – 558 Points
- Mike McKinney – Plainfield, IL – 546 Points
- Damian Kiefer – Ste Genevieve, MO – 469 Points
- Zeke McKenzie – Claypool, IN – 461 Points
- Matthew Baker – Kouts, IN – 456 Points
- Trevor Neville – Mackinaw, IL – 450 Points
- Dave Wietholder – Liberty, IL – 445 Points
- Brayden Doyle – Ashmore, IL – 409 Points
- Owen Steinkoenig – Highland, IL – 380 Points
- John Dimmitt – Macomb, IL – 368 Points
- Austin Friedman – Fairbury, IL – 260 Points
- Michael Long – Fowler, IL – 249 Points
- Christopher Cole – Evansville, IN – 245 Points
Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Point Standings
- Matthew Baker – Kouts, IN – 456 Points
- Brayden Doyle – Ashmore, IL – 409 Points
- Owen Steinkoenig – Highland, IL – 380 Points
- John Dimmitt – Macomb, IL – 368 Points
- Kyle Barker – Cooksville, IL – 211 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
Mike Harrison – 1
Jordan Bauer – 1
Tanner English – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Dylan Thornton – 1
FK Rod Ends 1st Place Finisher
Jason Feger – 3
Ryan Unzicker – 3
Ryan Gustin – 1
Jordan Bauer – 1
Brandon Sheppard – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Dylan Thornton – 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
FK Rod Ends 5th Place Finisher
Caden McWhorter – 2
Bob Gardner – 2
Ryan Unzicker – 1
Brayton Wallace – 1
Austin Howes – 1
Tanner English – 1
Jason Feger – 1
Mitch McGrath – 1
Mike Spatola – 1
Fairbury Fasteners 7th Place Finisher
Bob Gardner – 3
Jake Little – 2
Dylan Thornton – 1
Myles Moos – 1
Daniel Adam – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 1
Tanner English – 1
Rich Bell – 1
Budda by Bert Transmission 9th Place Finisher
Jason Feger – 2
Tanner English – 2
Austin Howes – 1
Chad Simpson – 1
Daniel Adam – 1
McKay Wenger – 1
Jeffrey Ledford – 1
Rich Bell – 1
Myles Moos – 1
Hooker Harness 11th Place Finisher
Jordan Bauer – 3
Dylan Thornton – 2
Kolby Vandenbergh – 1
Austin Smith – 1
Myles Moos – 1
Donny Walden – 1
Jake Little – 1
Zach Taylor – 1
Keyser Manufacturing 13th Place Finisher
Bob Gardner – 2
Mark Voigt – 2
Myles Moos – 2
Daniel Adam – 2
Jake Little – 1
Lee Williams – 1
Frank Heckenast Jr – 1
Fast Shafts 15th Place Finisher
Jeffrey Ledford – 2
Myles Moos – 1
Mike Mataragas – 1
Mitch McGrath – 1
Chevy Boyer – 1
Austin Howes – 1
Blaze Burwell – 1
Zach Taylor – 1
Mark Voigt – 1
Rockett Bennett – 1
MD3 Hard Charger Award Winner
Austin Howes – 1
Brayton Wallace – 1
Christian Miles – 1
Jason Feger – 1
Caden McWhorter – 1
Mark Voigt – 1
Dylan Thornton – 1
Bob Gardner – 1
Frank Heckenast Jr – 1
Matthew Larson – 1
Rusty Griffaw – 1
Wilwood Brakes Hard Luck Award Winner
Camden Gardner – 2
Rusty Griffaw – 1
Mark Voigt – 1
Rickey Frankel – 1
Jeffrey Ledford – 1
Terry Casey – 1
Austin Smith – 1
Keatin Lyons – 1
Mike Winn – 1
Tim Boomer – 1
Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winner
Dylan Thornton – 9
Caden McWhorter – 1
Mitch McGrath – 1
2026 MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment Statistics
Multi Fire X Fast Time Award Winner
Trevor Neville – 4
Cole Falloway – 1
Brayden Doyle – 1
Kenny Wallace – 1
Dave Wietholder – 1
Michael Ledford – 1
Charlie Mefford – 1
Ray Bollinger – 1
Willy’s Carb & Dyno Heat Race #1 Winner
Trevor Neville – 2
Charlie Mefford – 2
Cole Falloway – 2
Michael Ledford – 1
Matthew Baker – 1
Kenny Wallace – 1
Dave Wietholder – 1
Lyndon Whitfill – 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
Allgaier Performance Heat Race #3 Winner
Cole Falloway – 2
Michael Ledford – 2
Brayden Doyle – 1
Carson Friedman – 1
Mike McKinney – 1
Damian Kiefer – 1
Landen Miller – 1
Austin Friedman – 1
Vanquish Race Cars Heat Race #4 Winner
Trevor Neville – 1
Cole Falloway – 1
Charlie Mefford – 1
Zeke McKenzie – 1
Equiplinc Trucks & Equipment B-Main #1 Winner
Owen Steinkoenig – 2
Kyle Hammer – 1
Jeff Curl – 1
Damian Kiefer – 1
Allen Weisser – 1
Brayden Doyle – 1
Jacob Steinway – 1
Summit Racing Equipment 2nd Place Finisher
Mike McKinney – 4
Trevor Neville – 1
Ray Bollinger – 1
Michael Ledford – 1
Cole Falloway – 1
Damian Kiefer – 1
Charlie Mefford – 1
Fast Shafts 3rd Place Finisher
Michael Ledford – 4
Charlie Mefford – 2
Cole Falloway – 1
Mike McKinney – 1
Mike Chasteen Jr – 1
Dave Wietholder – 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
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
Hooker Harness 11th Place Finisher
John Dimmitt – 2
Matthew Baker – 1
Owen Steinkoenig – 1
Dave Wietholder – 1
Lyndon Whitfill – 1
Treb Jacoby – 1
Jeff Curl – 1
Trevor Neville – 1
Kelly Kovski – 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
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
Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winner
Owen Steinkoenig – 3
Brayden Doyle – 3
Matthew Baker – 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
· August 28, 2026 – Benton Speedway – Benton, MO – $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
· August 29, 2026 – I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park – Pevely, MO – $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
· August 30, 2026 – Belle-Clair Speedway – Belleville, 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
· 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
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