Key notes: After rain spoiled the season opening Nippy 50 weekend at Maquoketa (Iowa) Speedway, the MARS Late Model Championship Series kicks off its 2026 season with a tripleheader starting with Thursday’s $5,000-to-win Hawkeye Land 40 at Cedar County Raceway. … It’s the second-ever series visit to the Tipton, Iowa, quarter mile after Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., topped last year’s $5,000 MARS debut there. … Tyler Erb of New Waverly, Texas, held off Garrett Alberson to capture a $5,000 MLRA victory there in the fall of 2024. … Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., looks to turn his early season luck around and chases his first series win since Oct. 5, 2024, at Fairbury (Ill.) Speedway. … Three-time and reigning MARS champ Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., seeks his first victory of the season stateside after winning a couple of races earlier in the year in New Zealand. … Modifieds, stock cars and hobby stocks are on the undercard. … Pits open at 3 p.m. and grandstands open at 5 with hot laps at 6:30. … Watch live on FloRacing. … The weekend concludes with the two-day Slocum 50 at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa.

Who to watch: Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., chases his first feature win of the season and first MARS victory in 18 months.

Points chase: It’s the season opener.

Expected entrants: Brian Shirley, Jason Feger, Shannon Babb, Dennis Erb Jr., Ryan Unzicker, Chris Simpson, Justin Duty, Chad Simpson, McKay Wenger, Caden McWhorter, Bob Gardner, Jake Little, Daniel Adam, Daryn Klein, Derrick Stewart, Austin Howes, Matt Furman and morę.

Next series race: April 17, 34 Raceway (West Burlington, IA) $5,000