FAIRBURY, IL (December 9, 2024) – After two successful MARS Late Model Championship seasons completed under the MC Promotions banner, season number three is set to be a season of growth. A 32-race schedule, a total point fund that has more than doubled from the previous two seasons, and a new driver loyalty program highlight the changes for 2025.
“2025 is set to become the season that takes the MARS brand to the next level” stated Series Director Jonathan Clayton. “The past two seasons we have laid the foundation of what we are about, and have shown drivers, promoters, fans, and partners what to expect with our events. These are top notch shows with the best drivers in the region following the tour yearly and racing at the best tracks in the region. We are excited to have the opportunity to showcase our product to more eyes than ever before in 2025.”
At 32 nights, the series has the potential to complete the most events ever in a MARS Late Model season, with 31 nights in 2001 currently as the series record. 20 different tracks in 4 states are scheduled for MARS competition next season.
“The opportunity to pick up some additional marquee events in the region was huge for us” said MARS Series owner Matt Curl. “We have built the foundation of what we have done the past two seasons by staying within the region and strengthening our core. Although we may be visiting some new places in 2025, they all fit very nicely within our area to create a true super-regional type of schedule for all to enjoy.”
New Tracks for 2025
Maquoketa Speedway – The racy 3/8-mile speedway located in Maquoketa, Iowa is set to host the MARS tour for the first time ever on March 28 & 29 with the 2nd annual Rio Grande Waste Services Nippy 50 Presented by D&E Outside Services. On Friday the MARS Late Models will compete for $7,500-to-win and $1,000-to-start while Saturday will feature a $15,000-to-win and $2,000-to-start main event.
Cedar County Raceway – Leading up to the Slocum weekend at 34 Raceway will be a Thursday night (April 17) event at Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa. The track has held limited open-Late Model events in its history with the most recent being the inaugural Hawkeye Land 40 ran last season with Tyler Erb taking home the victory.
Returning Tracks
The majority of tracks from the past two seasons are back on the MARS Late Model schedule to round out the list of 32 events including stops at Paducah International Raceway, 34 Raceway, Brownstown Bullring, Highland Speedway, Tri-City Speedway, Fairbury Speedway, Spoon River Speedway, Farmer City Raceway, Federated Auto Parts Raceway @ I-55, Sycamore Speedway, Macon Speedway, Kankakee County Speedway, Red Hill Raceway, and Davenport Speedway. The more notable items include:
Charleston Speedway – With the April 5 date, Charleston will be the first stop of the 2025 season in the state of Illinois. This will mark the first time ever that MC Promotions will lease a racetrack to host a MARS Series event. The MARS/Fairbury Speedway team will manage the event for the evening with the help from Sonny Ross and the Charleston Speedway staff.
Peoria Speedway – After returning to Peoria for the first time since 2021 last season, the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends will be doubling down in 2025. Not only will the tour include a stop in April for the Garry Swibold Memorial, but in September the series will sanction the 70th annual Illinois State Championship for the first time since 2020.
Quincy Raceways – For the first time in series history, the series will make two stops at the Quincy, Illinois bullring during the season. The tour will first visit the speedway on Friday, May 16, while the second stop will be on Sunday, July 20.
LaSalle Speedway – After being closed since 2021, the LaSalle Speedway will return to action in 2025. The inaugural Illinois Valley Showdown will be a 2-day event on May 30 & 31 with $25,000 going to the winner of the Saturday night main event. On Friday, in a unique non-point night for the tour, the feature event will be split into 2 25-lap segments. The first 25 lapper will be lined up in a traditional format for $5,000-to-win while the second 25 lapper will be lined up completely inverted with the last car on the lead lap after the first 25 laps, starting on the pole for the second 25 laps, for $5,000-to-win. The high point earner between the 2 segments will start on the pole for heat 1 of the Saturday night program.
More Higher Paying Events
March 28/29 – Maquoketa Speedway – Maquoketa, IA – Rio Grande Waste Services Nippy 50 Presented by D&E Outside Services – $7,500-to-win/$1,000-to-start on Friday / $15,000-to-win/$2,000-to-start on Saturday
April 4 – Paducah International Raceway – Paducah, KY – USA World 50 – $10,000
April 18/19 – 34 Raceway – West Burlington, IA – Slocum 50 Weekend – $5,000-to-win on Friday / $10,555-to-win on Saturday
May 30/31 – LaSalle Speedway – LaSalle, IL – Illinois Valley Showdown – Twin $5,000-to-win main events on Friday / $25,000-to-win/$1,200-to-start on Saturday
August 9 – Macon Speedway – Macon, IL – KerbyStrong Race – $10,000-to-win
August 30 – Fairbury Speedway – Fairbury, IL – Illinois Dirt Shootout – $10,000-to-win
September 12/13 – Davenport Speedway – Davenport, IA – Corn State Nationals – $5,000-to-win on Friday / $10,000-to-win on Saturday
September 19 – Brownstown Bullring – Brownstown, IL – McKay Napa Auto Parts Brownstown 100 – $10,000-to-win
October 3/4 – Fairbury Speedway – Fairbury, IL – FALS Frenzy Presented by Edelman Inc. – $5,000-to-win on Friday / $12,000-to-win/$1,000-to-win
Elevated Points Fund
After having a $35,000 point fund the past two seasons, the ante has been upped for next season. In 2025 the total point fund will be $80,000 and pay the top 10 positions. If a driver runs every event and does not finish top 10 in season standings, the driver will be guaranteed a Road Warrior bonus of $1,000. The top-10 in points will be guaranteed point money regardless of nights ran.
2025 Points Fund
1. $25,000 2. $15,000 3. $10,000 4. $7,500 5. $5,000 6. $4,500 7. $4,000 8. $3,500 9. $3,000 10. $2,500.
An additional Rookie of the Year point fund will be announced in the coming weeks
Driver Loyalty Program
New in 2025 the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends will introduce a Driver Loyalty Program. To maintain status, the driver must remain a fulltime driver and not miss an event. Driver Loyalty perks will begin at the 7th event. Perks include:
The top 5 in championship points standings will receive $200 per event
Positions 6-10 in championship points standings will receive $100 per event
Positions 11-15 in championship points standings will receive $50 per event
If consecutive nights are run at the same facility, a driver will only claim the additional money for 1 night
The top-10 in points standings will receive one free pit pass per event beginning at the 7th event.
Every Race Live on FloRacing
Once again in 2025, FloRacing will be the official streaming partner of the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends. Catch EVERY race live on floracing.com or download the app.
2025 MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Schedule
Date – Track – Location – Event – To Win Amount
March 28 – Maquoketa Speedway – Maquoketa, IA – Rio Grande Waste Services Nippy 50 Presented by D&E Outside Services – $7,500
March 29 – Maquoketa Speedway – Maquoketa, IA – Rio Grande Waste Services Nippy 50 Presented by D&E Outside Services – $15,000
April 4 – Paducah International Raceway – Paducah, KY – USA World 50 – $10,000
April 5 – Charleston Speedway – Charleston, IL – Charleston Challenge – $5,000
April 17 – Cedar County Raceway – Tipton, IA – Hawkeye Land 40 – $5,000
April 18 – 34 Raceway – West Burlington, IA – Prelude to the Slocum – $5,000
April 19 – 34 Raceway – West Burlington, IA – Slocum 50 – $10,555
April 25 – Brownstown Bullring – Brownstown, IL – JCB Diggin’ Dirt 40 – $5,000
April 26 – Peoria Speedway – Peoria, IL – Garry Swibold Memorial – $5,098
May 16 – Quincy Raceways – Quincy, IL – $5,000
May 17 – World Famous Highland Speedway – Highland, IL – $5,000
May 23 – Tri-City Speedway – Granite City, IL – $5,000
May 24 – Fairbury Speedway – Fairbury, IL – FALS Triple Down Shootout – $5,000
May 25 – Spoon River Speedway – Lewistown, IL – Gary Cook Jr Memorial – $5,000
May 30 – LaSalle Speedway – LaSalle, IL – Illinois Valley Showdown – $5,000 X 2*
May 31 – LaSalle Speedway – LaSalle, IL – Illinois Valley Showdown – $25,000
July 18 – Farmer City Raceway – Farmer City, IL – Jr Kimler Memorial – $5,000
July 19 – Federated Auto Parts Raceway @ I-55 – Pevely, MO – $5,000
July 20 – Quincy Raceways – Quincy, IL – $5,000
August 8 – Sycamore Speedway – Maple Park, IL – MARS Sycamore Showcase – $5,000
August 9 – Macon Speedway – Macon, IL – KerbyStrong Race – $10,000
August 22 – Kankakee County Speedway – Kankakee, IL – $5,000
August 23 – Red Hill Raceway – Sumner, IL – Red Hill Rumble – $5,000
August 29 – Farmer City Raceway – Farmer City, IL – Chuckwagon 40 – $5,000
August 30 – Fairbury Speedway – Fairbury, IL – Illinois Dirt Shootout – $10,000
August 31 – Spoon River Speedway – Lewistown, IL – Plowboy Nationals – $5,000
September 12 – Davenport Speedway – Davenport, IA – Corn State Nationals – $5,000
September 13 – Davenport Speedway – Davenport, IA – Corn State Nationals – $10,000
September 19 – Brownstown Bullring – Brownstown, IL – McKay Napa Auto Parts Brownstown 100 – $10,000
September 20 – Peoria Speedway – Peoria, IL – Illinois State Championship – $5,000
October 3 – Fairbury Speedway – Fairbury, IL – FALS Frenzy Presented by Edelman Inc. – $5,000
October 4 – Fairbury Speedway – Fairbury, IL – FALS Frenzy Presented by Edelman Inc. – $12,000
The MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment schedule is set to be released tomorrow at marsracingseries.com and on all our social media channels.
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 2024 racing season: FK Rod Ends (MARS Late Model title sponsor), Summit Racing Equipment (MARS Modified title sponsor), Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts (Official trailer and golf cart provider of the MARS Dirt Series), 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), Illinois State Rifle Association, 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), Woods Basement Systems (Official Basement Contractor of the MARS Dirt Series), 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, Keyser Manufacturing, Varsitee Screenprinting, Willy’s Carb & Dyno, Trackside Racewear, Hooker Harness, Lethal Chassis, Remtek Enterprises, and QuickCar Racing Products.
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