Modified drivers in the DIRTcar world have long looked for a blockbuster event where they truly take center stage. In 2024 the MARS Modified Championship Powered by Summit Racing Equipment and Fairbury Speedway make that a reality. For the first time in history, DIRTcar UMP Modified teams throughout the Midwest will race in a World 100-hyped-feel event with the inaugural Illinois Dirt Shootout paying $20,000-to-win, and $2,000 just to start the main event. With an event purse nearly touching $200,000, and a feature payout surpassing $90,000, Modified teams throughout the country will have a chance to etch their name into the history books at America’s Dirt Track with major money on the line.

Sanctioned by the MARS Modified Championship powered by Summit Racing Equipment, the Illinois Dirt Shootout will take place on Memorial Day weekend May 23 through May 25, 2024. The first ever 3-day show at #FALS will bring in the best Modified drivers across the country as they battle in an “every lap matters” points format leading up to the 60-lap Feature finale. 

“This has been two years in the making trying to put this event together” said Fairbury Speedway owner Matt Curl. “For the past number of years, the Modifieds throughout the Midwest have deserved a crown jewel event, and we are proud to bring it to them!” “Hopefully the support for this race will allow for long-term sustainability and I believe we have done a great job building this event from top to bottom.”

Pre-registration for the Illinois Dirt Shootout will open January 1, 2024, online at fairburyspeedway.com. The entry fee for the weekend will be $150 in advance which will include transponder rental. The first 150 entries will be locked into the Illinois Dirt Shootout.

Along with the MARS Modified Championship Series, Late Models will be in action throughout the weekend as well. An optional practice on Thursday, May 23 will give drivers a chance to get dialed in for the weekend’s festivities. A full FALS Cup Late Model show will take place on Friday, May 24 paying $2,500-to-win, and will culminate with a MARS Late Model Championship Powered by FK Rod Ends event race paying $5,000-to-win on Saturday, May 25. 

“An event like this has long been a thought of mine over the past few years” said MARS Modified Series Director Jonathan Clayton. “The support of the DIRTcar UMP Modified community nationwide over the course of our 2023 MARS season really helped determine that now was the time to give this event life.” “I am truly thrilled to showcase the Modified division with a blockbuster event such as this.”

On Thursday and Friday MARS Modified drivers will be split into Group A and Group B for each night’s show based on pill draw. Drivers will qualify within their group, heat race, run last chance showdowns, and feature events each night. 2 A-Mains will be held each night with 48 cars running main events nightly. MARS Modified drivers will be given a hot lap session prior to their qualifying on Thursday evening.

Drivers will accumulate points throughout the first two nights of racing action from their qualifying results, heat race finishes, last chance showdowns, and final feature rundown. After all the results are calculated, the top-12 drivers from the point standings will be locked into the Illinois Dirt Shootout. Positions 13-84 in points will line up in (4) last chance showdowns on Saturday with the top 3 from each last chance showdown transferring into the big dance. The first non-transfer in each last chance showdown will pocket $1,000. 

Drivers with point totals in positions 85-150 will line up in (4) C-Mains with the top-2 in each of those respectable races transferring into the back of the last chance showdowns.