Key notes: The MARS Late Model Championship Series opens a Land of Lincoln weekend tripleheader with Friday’s 30-lap, $5,000-to-win Gem City Showdown at Quincy Raceway. … Three-time and reigning MARS champ Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., topped last May’s $5,000 series visit. … Points leader Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., grabbed a $5,000 MARS win in May of 2023 at Quincy after collecting a $2,000 American Late Model Series West payday in April of 2014. Unzicker is fresh off a $5,098 victory in April 25’s Garry Swibold Memorial at nearby Peoria (Ill.) Speedway. … A $100 cash bonus will be awarded to the fast qualifier courtesy of Back Gate Media; each feature lap led will pay $25 thanks to a multitude of lap sponsors. … Modifieds ($2,000-to-win), B-mods, 4-cylinders and Crown Vics are on the undercard. … Watch live on FloRacing.

Who to watch: Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., seeks his second consecutive series victory and second overall MARS win at Quincy.

Points chase: Before Quincy: 1. Ryan Unzicker (132); 2. Frank Heckenast Jr. (130); 3. Dennis Erb Jr. (108); 4. Tanner English (104); 5. Jake Little (100).

Current weather: Clear, 77°F

Car count: 23

Fast qualifier: Jordan Bauer

Time: 13.017 seconds

Polesitter: Jordan Bauer

Heat race winners: Jordan Bauer, Jason Feger, Austin Howes

Next series race: May 16, Highland Speedway (Highland, IL) $5,000