MARS Feature Race at Coles County Speedway!

[Dirt Clod]

Anyone watch the MARS feature at Coles County Sunday night? Fast time 10.1, feature was 40 laps, and NO cautions! Amazing Brandon Sheppard got home and showed up at CC, winning the feature. His post-race interview was typical B-Shep, saying how he grew up racing on tracks like Macon, Jacksonville and Shepp's. He praised the fender rubbing and slide jobs. AND....Mike Norris was epic on his call. He was out of breath trying to describe all the action. Love the MARS series!

[DirtTrackin52]

It was incredbile and I agree with everything you said. Probably couldn't have had a better showing on Amazon Prime if anyone was tuning in to dirt late model racing for the first time. I want to add that MARS is so stacked this year. I'm certain it'll come down to Unzicker and Feger again but Feger has a huge hole to dig out of so far. I wouldn't count out English, he's very close. Thornton and McWhorter are phenominal young talents as well. Jake Little is so overdue for a big win and Bauer showed us at Quincy how fast he can be. This is the series I get most excited these days and they race at the top tracks in the country. I'm so jealous of what you Illinois folks have. Next weekend: Davenport, Fairbury, Spoon River. My goodness.

[chathamracefan]

Thing I like about Mars is its a series primarily for the regional guys to win some $. Of course B Shepp & Pierce occasionally drop in (like last night) but most of the races give guys like Feger, Unzicker, Babb, etc (who for various reasons just don't have a chance on the national stage any more) to put some solid $ in their pockets. And its not the same 3 guys winning all the time like Lucas has turned into.

[Snake X3]

I agree with all of the above. I love the MARS series. The number of drivers following the series, the number of races, the tracks plus having every race covered on FLO makes it easy to follow and maintain interest. I don't know how MARS gets so many drivers to follow the series, but if the Southern Nationals could do the same it would be great. I won't complain though. I'm just thankful we have a series like MARS to compliment the national tours.

The Quincy race was awesome.

AND....Mike Norris was epic on his call. He was out of breath trying to describe all the action. Love the MARS series!

What's the name of the guy that called the race at Quincy? I like when that guy calls races as well. I keep forgetting his name though.

[Highside Hustler25]

What's the name of the guy that called the race at Quincy? I like when that guy calls races as well. I keep forgetting his name though.

Patrick Davis

[over4T]

I agree with what all you guys have said about the MARS series and the Coles County race in particular. Top notch racing, good fields and a good show for fans at almost all the shows. Had never heard of Coles but I've got a soft spot for the tiny tracks and that one sure didn't disappoint. Only info I could find it shows it was built as a 1/8 but think it's a bit bigger than that now. Had a couple of 1/5 tracks out west we enjoyed a lot, one at Orland Speedway just about 20 miles from Chico's Silver Dollar Speedway and another at Lovelock, NV about 100 miles east of Reno and 200 from our abode. Both are in tiny towns with a total lack of entertainment. Orland's Fairboard shut their track down a few years back and Lovelock is in the desert on private land and was/is built and run by volunteer labor. When the surface at either was right we could flatfoot it and never touch the brakes on a Super Stock leaf car while the 4 bar A Mods couldn't. Can't explain it but a ton of fun. My boy got his first SS clean sweep at Orland years back and I got one at Lovelock on a warm desert afternoon with a backup 9-1, 2 barreled carb engine. Neither track paid beans but fun. Always wanted to hit Macon, and BellClaire, IL but never made it to either.

[over4T]

Add the Action Track, another mini, micro track in, I think, PA, that runs the NE center steer Mods to my bucket list.

[chathamracefan]

Patrick Davis

One of the most knowledgeable late model guys around. He doesn't have a regular announcing gig but does a good job when he is on the mic. He works for Flo so a lot of his time is taking up with his regular job.

[Highside Hustler25]

Always wanted to hit Macon, and BellClaire, IL but never made it to either.

Out of the several smaller than 1/4 mile tracks I've hit, Macon produced the best racing. I think it's because of the extreem banking. There are always 2 grooves, top and bottom.

[WisWildManFan]

When you walk into macon for the first time you will not believe they race late models there. You will swear you're at a kart track lol

[klemmabyna]

When you walk into macon for the first time you will not believe they race late models there. You will swear you're at a kart track lol

exactly what i thought my first time.

[chathamracefan]

I've described Macon to people as the Wrigley Field of dirt tracks. Old & run down looking but puts on a good show.

[zyoung25]

Macon and tazewell are my two favorite tracks. They both seem to get shunned from any kind of national tour.

[foxfire2dirtracing]

Both the WOO & Lucas dropped TAZ because of the facility. No upgrades in 40+ years. Plus the drivers/teams hated it because of the roads leading into the track and less than desirable pits.

[chathamracefan]

I'm fortunate to say I have seen a national touring show at both Macon & Tazewell. Several Lucas shows at Macon & 1 Lucas show at Taz that was rained out after qualifying & then another one in 2019 that ran to completion. Sadly the top end cars have become too expensive to subject to the beating & banging of a place like Macon.