---

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Open August Slate with Land of Lincoln Double-Header

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Open August Slate with Land of Lincoln Double-Header

FAIRBURY, IL (August 4, 2025) – After a brief break in the schedule for the Prairie Dirt Classic and USA Nationals, the stars of the MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends look to begin the homestretch of the 2025 season with events six of the next nine weekends on the calendar. It all begins this weekend with a pair of shows at two Land of Lincoln tracks that are vastly different from one another.

First up on Friday, August 8, the MARS Late Model Championship tour heads to the Sycamore Speedway in Maple Park, Illinois. “The Best Clay Track in the Midwest” plays host to the MARS Sycamore Showcase for the tour, which is part of the speedway’s “Flip Flop Weekend” as the main stock car racing of the weekend will be on Friday versus the usual Saturday night schedule. (Saturday, August 9, the speedway will host their typical Friday show including Spectator races, Powder Puff races, Socker Stockers, and Compacts.) The 3/8-mile clay oval has become a yearly stop for the tour as drivers and teams always enjoy rolling into one of the finest pit areas in dirt racing with shade trees galore. Last season Ryan Unzicker took home the lone MARS visit to the speedway over Mike Spatola, Jason Feger, and 24 other competitors.

Following a night at Sycamore, the teams will make the three-hour trip south on Interstate 39 to the Mighty Macon Speedway in Macon, Illinois for the track’s biggest night of the season. Saturday, August 9, will be the 11th annual KerbyStrong night at the races at “The Coolest Bullring in the Country.” The MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends drivers will compete for 50-laps with $10,000 going to the feature winner for their efforts. Saturday will mark the 11th running of the Kerbystrong at the Macon Speedway where fans, teams, and the Damery family will celebrate the life of Kerby Damery and his legacy.

Kerby Damery (1965 - 2015) was born and raised in Macon, Illinois. He married Nikki Goad in 1991 and the couple raised two sons, Blake and Luke.

Kerby's passion for stock car racing started early. He was the youngest of 10 and his family spent almost every Saturday night going to the races. In fact, the Damery family helped build the walls around the Macon Speedway track.
Inspired by many old-time racers, Kerby bought his first sportsman race car at age 21. He won the 1990 Sportsman Macon Speedway Track Championship and later drove a Late Model series, which he built with the help of his dedicated racing team.

Kerby enjoyed racing at Macon Speedway as well as at several other central Illinois tracks. During his racing career, he won several Sportsman, Modified and Late Model Divisions, including the 1998 and 2001 Macon Speedway Budweiser Shoot Out, 2004 Late Model Macon Speedway Track Championship, 2006 Northern Allstars Late Model Series runners up and Rookie of the Year.

In 2007, at age 42, Kerby was diagnosed with Stage 4 Appendix Cancer. His cancer journey included numerous surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. Racing to win the fight of his life, he remained faithful, strong, and positive despite many setbacks. With a determined spirit, he fought bravely.

Giving up was never an option.

He was KerbySTRONG!

On Feb. 8, 2015, at age 49, Kerby Damery passed away. He did not lose his battle to cancer - he won it by living life to the fullest, inspiring others, and touching so many lives. His spirit will remain forever.kerby.strong!

The KERBYSTRONG Foundation will:

• Provide immediate assistance to qualified patients with cancer who many need support while undergoing cancer treatments

• Provide funding to help support a Cancer Navigator Program to assist patients and their families throughout the healthcare system.

A cancer diagnosis brings many challenges and patients may feel overwhelmed by the choices and decisions and uncertain about the steps to take or where to seek assistance. The goal is to ensure that cancer patients receive quality diagnostic, therapeutic, and support services on a timely basis.

Last year’s KerbyStrong $10,000-to-win event was won by defending series champion Jason Feger over Ryan Unzicker and Mike Spatola.

Jason Feger, reclaimed the Midwest Sheet Metal points lead for the MARS Late Models following the events at Farmer City Raceway and I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park. Ryan Unzicker fell back to second, while Shannon Babb, Tony Jackson Jr, and Justin Duty round out the top 5. Only 133 points separate the top 5, and with 14 events remaining on the schedule, there is still time for anything to happen.

Daryn Klein continues to show the way in Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year standings with Jake Little, Jeff Herzog, Brennon Willard, Steve Stultz, and Austin Howes still following in his footsteps.

Event Info

Friday, August 8

Sycamore Speedway

MARS Sycamore Showcase

$5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
Street Stocks
Pure Stocks

Pits open at 5:00 P.M.
Grandstands open at 6:00 P.M.
Drivers Meeting at 6:00 P.M.
Hot Laps at 6:30 P.M.

Adult General Admission $25
General Admission for Seniors ages 65+ $20
General Admission for Students ages 11-17 $20
General Admission for Kids ages 5-10 $5
General Admission for Kids ages 4 and under FREE

Pit Pass $30
Pit Pass for Kids ages 5-13 $20
Pit Pass for Kids ages 4 and under FREE

Saturday, August 9

Macon Speedway

11th annual KerbyStrong

$10,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends
DIRTcar UMP Modifieds
DIRTcar Sportsman

Pits open at 3:00 P.M.
Grandstands open at 5:00 P.M.
Drivers Meeting at 5:30 P.M.
Hot Laps at 6:00 P.M.

Adult General Admission $25
General Admission for Kids ages 10 and under $10

Pit Pass $40

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) $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 - Friday $105

MARS Late Model Saturday 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 - Saturday $115

MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Point Standings (Top 20)

1. Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 760 Points
2. Ryan Unzicker – El Paso, IL – 727 Points
3. Shannon Babb – Moweaqua, IL – 681 Points
4. Tony Jackson Jr – Lebanon, MO – 661 Points
5. Justin Duty – Molalla, OR – 627 Points
6. Daryn Klein – Fairview Heights, IL – 532 Points
7. McKay Wenger – Fairbury, IL – 506 Points
8. Dennis Erb Jr – Carpentersville, IL – 487 Points
9. Jake Little – Springfield, IL – 470 Points
10. Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 465 Points
11. Jeff Herzog – Festus, MO – 452 Points
12. Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 445 Points
13. Bob Gardner – Washington, IL – 441 Points
14. Brennon Willard – Lebanon, MO – 440 Points
15. Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 365 Points
16. Mark Voigt – Marine, IL – 308 Points
17. Steve Stultz – Peoria, AZ – 302 Points
18. Austin Howes – Lewistown, MO – 293 Points
19. Mike Spatola – Manhattan, IL – 290 Points
20. Chris Simpson – Oxford, IA – 271 Points

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Standings (Top 5)

1. Daryn Klein – Fairview Heights – 532 Points
2. Jake Little – Springfield, IL – 470 Points
3. Jeff Herzog – Festus, MO – 452 Points
4. Brennon Willard – Lebanon, MO – 440 Points
5. Steve Stultz – Peoria, AZ – 302 Points

2025 MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends Statistics

Pontiac RV Heat Race #1 Winner

Shannon Babb – 3
Brian Shirley – 2
Bobby Pierce – 2
Ricky Thornton Jr – 1
Carson Ferguson – 1
Drake Troutman – 1
Allen Weisser – 1
Jason Feger – 1
Ashton Winger – 1
Tony Jackson Jr – 1
Daryn Klein – 1

FK Rod Ends 1st Place Finisher

Bobby Pierce – 6
Jason Feger – 3
Ryan Unzicker – 2
Brandon Sheppard – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Ashton Winger – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 1
Tyler Erb – 1

FK Rod Ends 5th Place Finisher

Tony Jackson Jr – 3
Garrett Alberson – 1
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
Justin Duty – 1

Fairbury Fasteners 7th Place Finisher

McKay Wenger – 2
Jason Feger – 2
Daryn Klein – 2
Ryan Gustin – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – 1
Daniel Adam – 1
Garrett Alberson – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
Bob Gardner – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Justin Duty – 1
Jeff Herzog – 1
Rusty Griffaw – 1

Budda by Bert Transmission 9th Place Finisher

Jason Feger – 4
Brian Shirley – 2
Shannon Babb – 2
Dylan Thornton – 1
Jake Little – 1
Brennon Willard – 1
Mike Harrison – 1
Jordan Bauer – 1
Justin Duty – 1
Tyler Erb – 1
Kayden Clatt – 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

Keyser Manufacturing 13th Place Finisher

Bob Gardner – 2
Chris Simpson – 1
Ryan Unzicker – 1
McKay Wenger – 1
Trevor Gundaker – 1
Mike McKinney – 1
Daryn Klein – 1
Guy Taylor – 1
Reid Millard – 1
Mike Provenzano – 1
Mike Spatola – 1
Brian Shirley – 1
Shannon Babb – 1
Zach Taylor – 1
Tommy Sheppard Jr – 1

Fast Shafts 15th Place Finisher

Justin Duty – 2
McKay Wenger – 2
Mike Spatola – 1
Chad Simpson – 1
Andy Clark – 1
Mark Voigt – 1
Jake Little – 1
Austin Howes – 1
Myles Moos – 1
Aaron Marrant – 1
Rich Bell – 1
Daryn Klein – 1
Roben Huffman – 1
Kayden Clatt – 1

MD3 Hard Charger Award Winner

Tony Jackson Jr – 3
Ryan Unzicker – 3
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
Jake Little – 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

Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Winner

Daryn Klein – 8
Jeff Herzog – 5
Jake Little – 2
Austin Howes – 1

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR:

• BACK ON TOP: They say it’s hard to dethrone the champion, and this year is showing that it is going to be as difficult as ever. After trading the Midwest Sheet Metal points lead around, Jason Feger has found his way back on top with a 33-point gap. Obviously, there is still a great deal of racing to go, but with recent success at both Sycamore and Macon, look for Feger to have another strong outing this weekend.

• CONTINUING TO RISE: One driver that has really came to life over the past few events is Oregon driver Justin Duty. He has bagged three consecutive top-10 finishes in series competition including his best finish of second at Farmer City on July 18. Last season he led laps at Macon before a battery issue sidelined him the final few laps of the event. Can he back that up with another strong Macon run this weekend?

• SEASON TURNAROUND: Year one on the MARS tour has been nothing short of frustrating for Festus, Missouri driver Jeff Herzog. After a very rough start to the season, the light at the end of the tunnel has finally appeared the past few nights. His past three starts have finished with 11th, 7th, and a season best 4th place finish in MARS competition. Can he find the podium for the first time this weekend?

• GUEST APPEARANCE: After making his first start in competition since 2023 back at Benton Speedway in July in Summer Nationals competition, Batesville, Arkansas driver Billy Moyer Jr will return to MARS competition this weekend in the Curless Motorsports entry. Look for him at both Sycamore and Macon, plus other starts sprinkled throughout the remainder of the season.

• PLENTY TO GO: Although summer may be winding down, there is still PLENTY of MARS action headed your way with 14 events still on the schedule for the MARS Late Model tour in 2025.

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

• August 8, 2025 – Sycamore Speedway – Maple Park, IL – MARS Sycamore Showcase – $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

• August 9, 2025 – Macon Speedway – Macon, IL – KerbyStrong – $10,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

• August 22, 2025 – Kankakee County Speedway – Kankakee, IL – Big Daddy Scrap 40 – $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

• August 23, 2025 – Red Hill Raceway – Sumner, IL – Red Hill Rumble – $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

• August 29, 2025 – Farmer City Raceway – Farmer City, IL – Chuckwagon Food Services 40 – $5,000-to-win MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends

---

Back to News