---

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Wrap up the Summer Stretch with Brownstown Bullring and Peoria Speedway

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Wrap up the Summer Stretch with Brownstown Bullring and Peoria Speedway

FAIRBURY, IL (September 17, 2025) – After three action-packed events last weekend with the Corn State Nationals and the Gem City Showdown, the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends teams are digging in deep to give their best efforts as the season finale draws near. This weekend the tour will wrap up the summer stretch of races to make it 4 out of 5 weekends straight of being in competition. This time around it will be back to racing in Central Illinois with trips to Brownstown Bullring and Peoria Speedway for rounds 27 and 28 of the 2025 schedule.

The weekend gets rolling on Friday, September 19, as the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends returns to the Brownstown Bullring in Brownstown, Illinois for the Brownstown 100 presented by McKay Napa Auto Parts. MARS Late Models will be the headliner of the night with $10,000 going to the victor of the 50-lap event. The springtime trip to Brownstown was one of only three events to be nixed by mother nature to-date for the tour, so many of the competitors will be making their first laps of the season around the bullring on Friday evening. Last year’s Brownstown 100 saw Brian Shirley take home the victory over a 31-car field with Shannon Babb and Tanner English rounding out the podium. New Berlin, Illinois driver Jose Parga currently leads the Battle with the Bullring points that are compiled from racing action between the two Josh Carroll promoted facilities of both Brownstown and the I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park. An open practice will be held for competitors on Thursday, September 18, from 6:00 P.M. until 10:00 P.M.

Brownstown 100 Past Champions

2023 – Tanner English
2024 – Brian Shirley

The final event on the docket prior to the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Championship Weekend at Fairbury Speedway for the FALS Frenzy will be on Saturday, September 20, as the tour will make its second stop of the season to the Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Illinois for the 70th annual Illinois State Championship presented by Accurate Heating & Cooling. Drivers and fans are ecstatic to be a part of history on Saturday as this is one of the few events in the country to run continuously for 70+ years. MARS Late Model competitors will compete for a $5,000 top prize along with lap money going to the leader of each of the 50 laps. Back in April the tour rolled into Peoria for the Garry Swibold Memorial where Ryan Unzicker charged from 14th to take home the victory over Jason Feger and Mike Spatola. Cody Maguire holds a narrow 4-point lead over Jason Wagner in Peoria Speedway points standings.

Illinois State Championship Past Champions

1952 – Fibber McGee
1953 – Herb Shannon
1954 – Earl Setzer
1955 – Bill Van Allen
1956 – Berley Dodsen
1957 – Rosey Roseman
1958 – Lloyd Caldwell
1959 – Herb Shannon
1960 – Fibber McGee
1961 – Jerry Roedell
1962 – Ben Hofer
1963 – Ben Hofer
1964 – Don Dane
1965 – Don Bohlander
1966 – Ben Hofer
1967 – Don Bohlander
1968 – Don Bohlander
1969 – Bob Kelly
1970 – Don Bohlander
1971 – Don Bohlander
1972 – Don Bohlander
1973 – Ronnie Weedon
1974 – Canceled
1975 – Canceled
1976 – Ronnie Weedon
1977 – Ray Guss Sr.
1978 – Don Bohlander
1979 – Steve Fraise
1980 – Rick Standridge
1981 – Dick Taylor
1982 – Mike Chasteen
1983 – Fred Strube
1984 – Ray Guss Sr.
1985 – Tom Rients
1986 – Ray Guss Jr.
1987 – Ray Guss Jr.
1988 – Gary Webb
1989 – Frank Shickel Jr.
1990 – Ray Guss Jr.
1991 – Ray Guss Jr.
1992 – Ray Guss Jr.
1993 – Todd Bennett
1994 – Todd Bennett
1995 – Gary Webb
1996 – Brian Birkhofer
1997 – Todd Bennett
1998 – Todd Bennett
1999 – Toby Sharp
2000 – Mike Cothron
2001 – Kevin Weaver
2002 – Billy Tuckwell
2003 – Billy Tuckwell
2004 – Wes Steidinger
2005 – Dennis Erb Jr.
2006 – Richie Hedrick
2007 – Wes Steidinger
2008 – Billy Drake
2009 – Tim Lance
2010 – Jason Feger
2011 – Jason Feger
2012 – Jason Feger
2013 – Canceled
2014 – Brandon Sheppard
2015 – Dennis Erb Jr.
2016 – Jason Feger
2017 – Ryan Unzicker
2018 – Brian Shirley
2019 – Ryan Unzicker
2020 – Brian Shirley
2021 – Mike Spatola
2022 – Brian Shirley
2023 – Ryan Unzicker

Lap Leader Sponsors for the Illinois State Championship

(Each lap led will be $25 to the driver that leads each respective lap)

1. UAMP Motorsports
2. Lumit Motorsports
3. In Memory of J.R. McMahill
4. David & Michelle Sills
5. Brent Slocum Foundation
6. Havoc Race cars
7. Dylan Turpin Racing
8. Tim Neidig Farms
9. Spoon River Speedway
10. Jason Feger Racing
11. Coryell Remodeling Inc
12. In Memory of Garry Swibold
13. Up From The Pits BBQ
14. DGO Hauling
15. Nigel Shannon for Matt Shannon Racing
16. M16 Blake Monroe Racing
17. Logo Wear
18. Tim Neidig Farms
19. Spoon River Speedway
20. Reliable Towing & Recovery
21. Hometown Yard Maintenance and Landscaping
22. Porter Handyman &Painting Service
23. Reeser Landscaping
24. Reeser Landscaping
25. Reeser Landscaping
26. Reeser Landscaping
27. Colby Sheppard Racing
28. In Memory of Keith Siegel
29. Tim Neidig Farms
30. Bauman Motorsports
31. Crebo Motorsports in memory of the old gatekeeper Randy Crebo
32. Spoon River Speedway
33. Trackside Racewear
34. 34 Raceway
35. Tim Neidig Farms
36. Truee Tattoos
37. Coryell Remodeling Inc
38. Reliable Towing & Recovery
39. Spoon River Speedway
40. In Memory of Keith Siegel
41. Logo Wear
42. M16 Blake Monroe Racing
43. Tim Neidig Farms
44. Trackside Racewear
45. Spoon River Speedway
46. Gray Motorsports
47. Gray Motorsports
48. Gray Motorsports
49. Gray Motorsports
50. UAMP Motorsports

Event Info

Brownstown 100 presented by McKay Napa Auto Parts

Brownstown Bullring
Brownstown, Illinois
Thursday, September 18

Open Practice for all divisions from 6:00 P.M. until 10:00 P.M.

Pit Pass $30

Friday, September 19

$10,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
B-Modifieds
DIRTcar Factory Stocks
DIRTcar Hornets

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 $35
Children ages 10 and under are free

Pit Pass $45
Children ages 6-12 $25
Children ages 5 and under are free

Saturday, September 20

70th annual Illinois State Championship presented by Accurate Heating & Cooling

Peoria Speedway
Peoria, Illinois

$5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
DIRTcar UMP Modifieds
B-Modifieds
DIRTcar Hornets
Kids Mods

Pits open at 3:30 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 $25
Children ages 10 and under are free

Pit Pass $45
Children ages 10 and under $25

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 NLMT3 (92) or Hoosier NLMT4 (92)

Grooving and Siping will be permitted.

Event Purses

MARS Late Model Friday A-Main payout: 1) $10,000 2) $5,000 3) $2,500 4) $1,600 5) $1,400 6) $1,200 7) $1,000 8) $950 9) $900 10) $800 11) $750 12) $650 13) $600 14) $600 15) $600 16) $600 17) $600 18) $600 19) $600 20) $600 21) $600 22) $600. Non-Transfer Tow Money - $120

MARS Late Model Saturday 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 Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Point Standings (Top 15)

1. Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 1467 Points
2. Ryan Unzicker – El Paso, IL – 1355 Points
3. Tony Jackson Jr – Lebanon, MO – 1236 Points
4. Shannon Babb – Moweaqua, IL – 1214 Points
5. Justin Duty – Molalla, OR – 1090 Points
6. Jake Little – Springfield, IL – 924 Points
7. Jeff Herzog – Festus, MO – 906 Points
8. Daryn Klein – Fairview Heights, IL – 903 Points
9. Brennon Willard – Lebanon, MO – 756 Points
10. Dennis Erb Jr – Carpentersville, IL – 714 Points
11. Mark Voigt – Marine, IL – 630 Points
12. McKay Wenger – Fairbury, IL – 608 Points
13. Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 510 Points
14. Mike Spatola – Manhattan, IL – 497 Points
15. Michael Leach – Sun River, MT – 490 Points

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Standings

1. Jake Little – Springfield, IL – 924 Points
2. Jeff Herzog – Festus, MO – 906 Points
3. Daryn Klein – Fairview Heights – 903 Points
4. Brennon Willard – Lebanon, MO – 756 Points

2025 MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Statistics

Pontiac RV Heat Race #1 Winner

Shannon Babb – 4
Tony Jackson Jr – 3
Jason Feger – 3
Brian Shirley – 2
Bobby Pierce – 2
Ashton Winger – 2
Ricky Thornton Jr – 1
Carson Ferguson – 1
Drake Troutman – 1
Allen Weisser – 1
Daryn Klein – 1
Mike Spatola – 1
Jake Little – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
Garrett Alberson – 1

FK Rod Ends 1st Place Finisher

Jason Feger – 8
Bobby Pierce – 6
Ryan Unzicker – 4
Ashton Winger – 2
Tony Jackson Jr – 2
Brandon Sheppard – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 1
Tyler Erb – 1

FK Rod Ends 5th Place Finisher

Tony Jackson Jr – 5
Justin Duty – 2
Dennis Erb Jr – 2
Garrett Alberson – 2
Ryan Gustin – 1
Brian Shirley – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Allen Weisser – 1
Austin Howes – 1
Jordan Bauer – 1
Guy Taylor – 1
McKay Wenger – 1
Ashton Winger – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
Chris Simpson – 1
Jeff Herzog – 1
Jason Feger – 1
Frank Heckenast Jr – 1
Michael Leach – 1

Fairbury Fasteners 7th Place Finisher

McKay Wenger – 4
Jeff Herzog – 3
Jason Feger – 2
Daryn Klein – 2
Justin Duty – 2
Ryan Gustin – 2
Dennis Erb Jr – 1
Daniel Adam – 1
Garrett Alberson – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
Bob Gardner – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Rusty Griffaw – 1
Dillon McCowan – 1
Ashton Winger – 1
Chris Simpson – 1
Caden McWhorter – 1

Budda by Bert Transmission 9th Place Finisher

Jason Feger – 4
Jake Little – 4
Brian Shirley – 2
Shannon Babb – 2
Michael Leach – 2
Dylan Thornton – 1
Brennon Willard – 1
Mike Harrison – 1
Jordan Bauer – 1
Justin Duty – 1
Tyler Erb – 1
Kayden Clatt – 1
Billy Moyer Jr – 1
Todd Rehg – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
Myles Moos – 1
Daniel Adam – 1

Hooker Harness 11th Place Finisher

Shannon Babb – 1
Bob Gardner – 1
Derrick Stewart – 1
Chris Simpson – 1
Garrett Alberson – 1
Tony Jackson Jr – 1
Justin Duty – 1
Mike McKinney – 1
Blaze Burwell – 1
Jeffrey Ledford – 1
Trevor Gundaker – 1
McKay Wenger – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 1
Jeff Herzog – 1
Jason Wagner – 1
Zach Taylor – 1
Mike Provenzano – 1
Mark Voigt – 1
Paul Parker – 1
Todd Rehg – 1
Michael Leach – 1
Myles Moos – 1
Jordan Bauer – 1
Caden McWhorter – 1
Dillon McCowan – 1
Tucker Finch – 1

Keyser Manufacturing 13th Place Finisher

Bob Gardner – 2
Daryn Klein – 2
Zach Taylor – 2
Chris Simpson – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
McKay Wenger – 1
Trevor Gundaker – 1
Mike McKinney – 1
Guy Taylor – 1
Reid Millard – 1
Mike Provenzano – 1
Mike Spatola – 1
Brian Shirley – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Tommy Sheppard Jr – 1
Mark Voigt – 1
Lee Williams – 1
Jose Parga – 1
Jeffrey Ledford – 1
Kolby Vandenbergh – 1
Michael Leach – 1
Jeff Herzog – 1
Justin Reed – 1

Fast Shafts 15th Place Finisher

Austin Howes – 4
Jake Little – 3
Justin Duty – 2
McKay Wenger – 2
Mike Spatola – 1
Chad Simpson – 1
Andy Clark – 1
Mark Voigt – 1
Myles Moos – 1
Aaron Marrant – 1
Rich Bell – 1
Daryn Klein – 1
Roben Huffman – 1
Kayden Clatt – 1
Billy Moyer Jr – 1
Mike Lofgren – 1
Zak Blackwood – 1
Todd Rehg – 1
Mike Mataragas – 1

MD3 Hard Charger Award Winner

Tony Jackson Jr – 3
Ryan Unzicker – 3
Shannon Babb – 3
Jake Little – 2
Jason Feger – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 1
Daryn Klein – 1
Bob Gardner – 1
Trevor Gundaker – 1
Mike Provenzano – 1
Brennon Willard – 1
Bobby Pierce – 1
Jason Wagner – 1
Greg Cantrell – 1
Greg Kimmons – 1
Todd Rehg – 1
Jose Parga – 1
Justin Duty – 1
Michael Leach – 1

Wilwood Brakes Hard Luck Award Winner

Bob Gardner – 3
Ryan Unzicker – 2
Gordy Gundaker – 1
Dylan Thornton – 1
Frank Heckenast Jr – 1
Kayden Clatt – 1
Cody Maguire – 1
Guy Taylor – 1
Rodney Melvin – 1
Brian Shirley – 1
Thomas Hunziker – 1
Daryn Klein – 1
Michael Kloos – 1
Jeremy Spoonmore – 1
Quenton Lewis – 1
Justin Duty – 1
Jon Woods – 1
Tommy Sheppard Jr – 1
Mike Harrison – 1
AJ May – 1
Dillon McCowan – 1
Nick Anvelink – 1
Brandon Queen – 1

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winner

Jeff Herzog – 9
Daryn Klein – 8
Jake Little – 8
Austin Howes – 1

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR:

ON A ROLL: With four races to go, everything has gone right for defending series champion Jason Feger the past couple of months further elevating his odds at a third consecutive series title. Feger has finished on the podium in 11 of the last 12 series events.

DOWN TO THE WIRE: The championship race that looks like it will go down to the final night will be the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year battle between Jake Little, Jeff Herzog, and Daryn Klein. Currently only 21 points separate the three drivers. All three are capable of a top-5 finish on any given night, which has truly made this battle one for ages as the year has progressed.

MORE MONEY ON THE LINE: Saturday night at Peoria will feature more than just the standard $5,000-to-win for drivers. Every lap led will accumulate the driver an additional $25, which could land the winning driver with a victory good for over $6,000.

CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND AHEAD: As the schedules begin to shrink, it’s hard to not look ahead to championship weekend for both tours. Friday and Saturday, October 3rd and 4th, both series will wrap up their 2025 campaigns at the Fairbury Speedway for the FALS Frenzy. Both nights will consist of complete programs with Saturday’s finale paying $12,000-to-win for the MARS Late Models and $3,000-to-win for the MARS Modifieds.

MARS MODIFIED CHAMPIONSHIP POWERED BY SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT BACK IN ACTION: Next weekend the MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment will return to the track with the 21st annual Summit Racing Equipment Modified Mania at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Illinois! Modifieds will run complete programs each night with Saturday, September 27th’s finale paying $5,000-to-win.

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 2025 live at floracing.com.

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 2025 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), 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, 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, Shepard Synthetics, and Allgaier Performance.

MARS Championship Upcoming Events

• September 19, 2025 – Brownstown Bullring – Brownstown, IL – Brownstown 100 presented by McKay Napa Auto Parts - $10,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

• September 20, 2025 – Peoria Speedway – Peoria, IL – 70th annual Illinois State Championship presented by Accurate Heating & Cooling

• September 25, 2025 – Tri-City Speedway – Granite City, IL – 21st annual Summit Racing Equipment Modified Mania - $2,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment

• September 26, 2025 – Tri-City Speedway – Granite City, IL – 21st annual Summit Racing Equipment Modified Mania - $3,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment

• September 27, 2025 – Tri-City Speedway – Granite City, IL – 21st annual Summit Racing Equipment Modified Mania - $5,000-to-win MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment

---

Back to News