Key notes: Originally slated as a doubleheader weekend for the MARS Late Model Championship Series before Friday’s opener at Kankakee (Ill.) County Speedway rained out, the tour returns to the World Famous Highland Speedway for Saturday’s 40-lap, $5,000-to-win program. … Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., won the last MARS visit to Highland on May 17, 2025, worth $5,000. Babb is a three-time tour winner this season. … Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., has seven Highland specials since 2009, including MARS victories there in 2023 and ’24, combining to collect more than $52,000 over that span. … Points leader Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., enters Saturday with a 77-point advantage over Feger with five races left in the season. … Daryn Klein of Fairview Heights, Ill., has five major wins since 2018 at Highland, including 2023’s Challenge of Champions in DIRTcar Super Late Model action, worth more than $11,000. … Modifieds, factory stocks and pro mods are on the undercard. … Watch live on FloRacing.

Who to watch: Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., seeks his fourth MARS Series win of the season and eighth career Highland special.

Points chase: Before Highland: 1. Ryan Unzicker (1,097); 2. Jason Feger (1,020); 3. Dylan Thornton (944); 4. Bob Gardner (796); 5. Daniel Adam (784).

Expected entrants: Jason Feger, Ryan Unzicker, Dylan Thornton, Daryn Klein, Jake Little, Michael Kloos, Jordan Bauer, Daniel Adam, Rodney Melvin, Mike Mataragas, Jeffrey Ledford, Chad Zobrist, Kayden Clatt, Zach Taylor, Mark Voigt, Ethan Boomsma, Jimmy Miller, Doug Tye, Tony Wolf and others.

Current weather: Few Clouds, 88°F

Car count: 22

Fast qualifier: Daryn Klein

Time: 12.808 seconds

Heat race winners: Ryan Unzicker, Jason Feger, Dylan Thompson

Next series race: October 2, Fairbury Speedway (Fairbury, IL) $5,000