The MARS Racing Series announced that it has postponed its Friday night event at LaSalle Speedway due to rain and saturated grounds.

The series shared in a press release posted to Facebook, “After continuous rounds of showers and storms have battered the area throughout the week, and more expected throughout the afternoon and evening on Thursday, Friday’s portion of the Illinois Valley Showdown presented by Action Truck Parts Inc at LaSalle Speedway has been postponed.”

“Numerous rounds of rain have left the track and facility saturated, with no optimal window of drying time prior to Friday’s portion of the event. With mother nature hindering both the MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends and LaSalle Speedway schedules in 2026, individuals from both parties are exploring a possible reschedule date of the Twisted Twin 25’s,” the series added.

While the Friday portion is being postponed, the Saturday event is still on as scheduled, “The Saturday night portion of the Illinois Valley Showdown presented by Action Truck Parts Inc at LaSalle Speedway for the MARS Late Model Championship powered by FK Rod Ends is currently still on as scheduled. MARS Late Models are set to compete in a complete program with the 66-lap feature event in honor of Tony Izzo Sr paying $20,000-to-win and $1,200-to-start. DIRTcar UMP Modifieds and DIRTcar Stock Cars are both also on the card.”

LaSalle Speedway & Event Center promoter Tony Izzo Jr. stated, “We know how much everyone has been looking forward to this weekend, and postponing any portion of the Illinois Valley Showdown is not a decision we take lightly. Our entire team is working extremely hard and doing whatever it takes to give us the best possible opportunity to get the Saturday portion of the Illinois Valley Showdown in.”

While the current plan is to race on Saturday night, the Series shared that a final decision will be made within the next 24 hours, “Officials will continue to closely monitor the weather forecast and track conditions while working around the clock to determine what is feasible.”

The Saturday night portion of the Illinois Valley Showdown at LaSalle Speedway will pay $20,000 to the winner.

Ryan Unzicker currently leads the MARS Late Model Championship. He has an 83 point advantage over Jason Feger. Dylan Thornton sits in third, 112 back. Daniel Adam is fourth, 233 points behind Unzicker. Bob Gardner sits in fifth. He is 239 points back.

Unzicker saw his lead shrink by five points after this past weekend’s races at Sycamore Speedway and Macon Speedway. While he won at Sycamore, a fourth place finish at Macon saw him lose ground to Jason Feger, who finished second both nights. Dylan Thornton got his first win with the series at Macon.

NEXT: Cade Dillard Explains His Late Model Racing Schedule Change While Addressing Critics