(MENOMONIE, WISCONSIN) The Mars Racing team returned home earlier this week after making the long trek back north from the Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida. Jimmy Mars was stellar throughout the 40th Annual ‘DIRTcar Nationals,’ as he transferred into each of the six feature events from February 14-19 and claimed his first victory of the 2011 racing season. In addition to the win, Jimmy also racked-up four Top Fives and five Top Tens during his weeklong stint at the Daytona Beach area speedplant.
His trip to victory lane at Volusia came on Wednesday night in a UMP DIRTcar Series sanctioned event. After timing in second fastest in his group during the UMP qualifying session, Jimmy won his heat race and later started third in the 30-lap main event. The Menomonie, Wisconsin native was on a rail during the A-Main and worked his way by leader Jason Feger to grab the point on lap 16. Jimmy then took the checkers a full straightaway ahead of Feger, Scott Bloomquist, Josh Richards, and Jonathan Davenport to claim the $7,000 payday!
A night earlier, the popular driver known as the “Iceman” nearly took home the $7,000 top prize as well. Jimmy started the 30-lapper from the outside of the front row and led the first 29 and 1/2 laps before Don O’Neal made the winning pass headed down the backstretch on the final circuit. The driver of the Deppe Enterprises / Baileigh Industrial / Moore Wireline / Keyes Chevytown #28 MB Customs / Pro Power Malibu was forced to settle for a strong runner-up performance behind O’Neal. A complete race-by-race recap from each ‘DIRTcar Nationals’ showdown is chronicled online at www.JimmyMarsRacing.com.
“It had been a few years since we raced at Volusia, but I am glad we decided to make the trip this year,” stated Mars this week from his race shop. “The racetrack has gotten a lot racier and the track crew did a great job prepping the surface each night. With the talent level in attendance all week, it was a must to qualify well and start up front in the feature. Luckily, our car was up to the challenge and we were able to get into the show, first and foremost, which was a task in itself. Then to get a win out of the deal and almost two wins, it was a great trip for us and pumps the entire team up about the rest of the season!”
The #28 team now plans to take the next month or so off from Dirt Late Model competition to refurbish their equipment prior to the start of the regular season up north. Jimmy’s next scheduled event is the annual ‘Illini 100,’ which will be held for the first time at the LaSalle Speedway in LaSalle, Illinois on April 1-2. The two-day World of Outlaws Late Model Series extravaganza will pay $20,000 to the winner. Jimmy finished twelfth in last year’s ‘Illini 100’ at the Farmer City (IL) Raceway. Additional information on this program can be located by clicking on www.worldofoutlaws.com.
Mars Racing would like to thank all of their supporters including: Deppe Enterprises, T.L. Sinz Plumbing, ESSI Motorsports, Keyes Chevytown, Baileigh Industrial, Pro Power Racing Engines, MB Customs, Moore Wireline, Inc., Jimmy’s Pub, Airgas, Allstar Performance, Beyea Headers, BSB Manufacturing, Buzz Signs & Graphics, Champ Pans, CMD Shocks, Delph Communications, EMD Wraps, Hoosier Racing Tires, ISC Racers Tape, JE Pistons, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, Joe Provo Race Wear, Manley Performance, Sweet Mfg., VP Racing Fuels, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Wiles Driveshafts, and Wilwood.
Keep up all year long with all of the latest news and information concerning the Jimmy Mars Racing team at www.JimmyMarsRacing.com.
Media Contact: Ryan Delph – Delph Communications
www.delphcommunications.com