4/28/2022
MARS - Midwest Auto Racing Series
Mars Visit to Charleston Speedway to Honor Graves Family
(April 28, 2022) LaSalle, IL – The officials from the Mars Racing Series are excited to announce the return of Super Late Model racing to the Charleston Speedway in 2022. The Charleston Speedway has a rich history in central Illinois dirt track racing and haven’t hosted a Super Late Model event in five seasons. Mars Series Director and Announcer Tyson Graves has had a heart to bring a big show back to his childhood track and it’s only fitting that the race would be an honor to his family for their support to the Charleston Speedway for over 4 decades.
On May 21st the Mars Racing Series will invade the 3/8th mile for the first Super Late Model action since the Hell Tour raced there back in 2017. The Mars competitors will compete in a 40 lap $5,000 to win main event during the second leg of a three-day weekend for the Series May 21-23. They will be joined by the UMP Modifieds who will have a 30 lap $1,500 to win feature event. The other two support classes slated are UMP Stock Cars and UMP Pro Modifieds. Stock Cars will pay $500 to win with Pro Mods paying $450 to win.
“It’s exciting and an honor to be able to put together an event like this. To bring a larger event back to Charleston Speedway and honor my family in the same night is a once in a lifetime opportunity.� Said Series Announcer & Director, Tyson Graves. “This is the place where I got exposed to racing and without knowing, it honed my skills to call races from years of hearing my uncle Mike announce. I lost my dad last fall, and this is a huge way to pay tribute to him and the near 40 years my uncle called the action every weekend.�
Tony Izzo, Jr, Series Owner says, “Tyson has been a great asset to getting the Mars Series off and running after I bought the series, this was a win all the way around of getting a new venue on the schedule and a night to honor his family. Coming from a family that has contributed to the sport for decades it is a great thing when we can honor them.�
The Graves 40 was the name tagged to this event. The entire Graves family has either competed, been on staff, or been lifelong supporters of the Charleston Speedway. The late Jack Graves competed at the track for many years which included numerous feature victories and a runner up spot in the year end standings one season. He also had successes as a car builder, in the 1990’s Jack was responsible for welding and fabricating many Modified winning chassis during his work at Racer’s Edge Race Cars. He also had short stints helping build cars at Bob Pierce Race Cars and CJ Rayburn Race Cars.
The long running announcer Mike Graves of Paris, Illinois is the famous voice that will always echo through the grounds of the Charleston Speedway. For nearly 40 years Mike called the action each Saturday night. Mike retired a few seasons ago but remains on call when a backup announcer might be needed. During his career he also announced at the Vermillion County Speedway and filled in at others on occasion. His favorite memories in the booth include announcing some Summer Nationals events with Hall of Famer James Essex.
On Saturday May 21st, the pit gates will open at 3pm and grandstands at 4pm. Hotlaps will look to happen at 6pm. Opening ceremonies and heat race action will kick off at 7pm. The night will be closed out by a 40 lap $5,000 to win Mars Racing Series feature event followed by UMP Modified, Stock Car, and Pro Mod main events.
Tickets are available in advance at www.charlestonspeedway.com or will be available for purchase at the gate on race day. General admission is $25. Kids 5-12 is $10, Under 5 is FREE. Pit passes will be $40, Kids pit passes $25. The event will also be streamed live on FloRacing, the official streaming service of the Mars Racing Series.
More information will be released in the weeks leading up to the event. Keep an eye on our social media outlets for those updates.
For more information about the Mars Racing Series, log on to www.marsracingseries.com.
For more information about the Charleston Speedway, log on to www.charlestonspeedway.com.
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