With the first half of the season officially in the record books for the 2026 MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends and MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment, our attention has now turned to the remainder of the schedule that is set to resume in just over two weeks. With an overall race season that has been battered by inclement weather nationwide, the MARS Late Model tour completed 8 of the 15 scheduled events while the MARS Modified tour ran 9 of the 11 scheduled events to this point. The following updates have been finalized as we near the second half of the tour:

USA World 50 at Paducah International Raceway Canceled 

After making the trip south for our only stop of the season to the “Bluegrass State,” torrential rainfall set in over the speedway just following the drivers meeting on Friday, May 29. Originally the event was announced as postponed, but with the racing calendar being jam-packed for the remainder of the season, track and series officials have unfortunately agreed to cancel the event for 2026. Any general admission tickets or pit passes from that night can be used for the remainder of the season at PIR. The MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends look forward to returning to the speedway in 2027.

Illinois State Championship at Peoria Speedway Canceled for September 19

Originally scheduled for Saturday, September 19, the $5,000-to-win Illinois State Championship for the MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends, at Peoria Speedway, has been canceled. Since our initial visit to the speedway for the Garry Swibold Memorial in April, the track has closed its gates and has been listed for sale. 

MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends Event at Highland Speedway Rescheduled for September 19

After raining out mid-afternoon on our stop to the World-Famous Highland Speedway back in May, series and track officials are excited to announce that the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends have added a date at the speedway for Saturday, September 19. The night will be sponsored by Bel-O Cooling, Heating, & Plumbing Incorporated. The $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model show will be joined by the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, DIRTcar Pro Modifieds, and the DIRTcar Factory Stocks. Unfortunately, with the MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment originally being scheduled off for that weekend, they will not be joining the MARS Late Models for the event. The MARS Modifieds look forward to returning to the speedway in 2027.

MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends Tire Rule Update

After extensive research over the past few weeks with many of the teams in our region, the tire rules announced at the beginning of the season will continue for 2026 with the exception of right rear tires being limited to the new-style NRM tire. With the large majority of regional teams now through their inventory of older right rear tires, we feel this is the best move in the fairness of competition.

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Tire Rule for all events prior to Championship Weekend:

LF: Any (90) Hoosier

RF: Hoosier NLMT2 (90)

LR: Hoosier NLMT2 (90)

RR: Hoosier NRM NLMT3 (92) or Hoosier NRM NLMT4 (92)

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Tire Rule for Lucas Oil Speedway on October 9 & 10:

LF: Any (90) Hoosier

RF: Hoosier NLMT2 (90) or Hoosier NLMT3 (90)

LR: Hoosier NLMT2 (90) or Hoosier NLMT3 (90)

RR: Hoosier NRM NLMT3 (92) or Hoosier NRM NLMT4 (92)

Grooving and Siping will be permitted at all times.

2026 MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Remaining Schedule

Date – Track – Location – Event – To Win Amount

July 17 – Farmer City Raceway – Farmer City, IL – Jr Kimler Memorial – $5,000

July 18 – Charleston Speedway – Charleston, IL – Charleston Challenge – $5,000

August 7 – Sycamore Speedway – Maple Park, IL – MARS Sycamore Showcase – $5,000

August 8 – Macon Speedway – Macon, IL – KerbyStrong Race – $10,000

August 14 – LaSalle Speedway – LaSalle, IL – Illinois Valley Showdown – $5,000 X 2

August 15 – LaSalle Speedway – LaSalle, IL – Illinois Valley Showdown – $20,000

August 28 – Benton Speedway – Benton, MO – $5,000

August 29 – I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park – Pevely, MO – $5,000

September 4 – Farmer City Raceway – Farmer City, IL – Chuckwagon 40 – $5,000

September 5 – Fairbury Speedway – Fairbury, IL – Illinois Dirt Shootout – $15,000

September 18 – Kankakee County Speedway – Kankakee, IL – Big Daddy Scrap 40 – $5,000

September 19 – Highland Speedway – Highland, IL – $5,000

October 2 – Fairbury Speedway – Fairbury, IL – FALS Frenzy – $5,000

October 3 – Fairbury Speedway – Fairbury, IL – FALS Frenzy – $10,000

October 9 – Lucas Oil Speedway – Wheatland, MO – Fall Nationals – $5,000

October 10 – Lucas Oil Speedway – Wheatland, MO – Fall Nationals – $10,000

2026 MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment Remaining Schedule

Date – Track – Location – Event – To Win Amount

July 17 – Farmer City Raceway – Farmer City, IL – $2,000

July 18 – Charleston Speedway – Charleston, IL – Charleston Challenge – $2,000

August 28 – Benton Speedway – Benton, MO – $2,000

August 29 – I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park – Pevely, MO – $2,000

September 5 – Fairbury Speedway – Fairbury, IL – Illinois Dirt Shootout – $5,000

September 6 – Spoon River Speedway – Lewistown, IL – Plowboy Nationals – $2,500

September 25 – I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park – Pevely, MO – $2,000

September 26 – I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park – Pevely, MO – $2,000

October 2 – Fairbury Speedway – Fairbury, IL – FALS Frenzy – $2,000

October 3 – Fairbury Speedway – Fairbury, IL – FALS Frenzy – $3,000

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.

NEXT: Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Friday, July 3 Event Relocated To Mansfield Speedway