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SORENSEN MAKES DEBUT WITH MARS RACING (January 14, 2023) The penultimate event of the 2023 'Wild West Shootout' paid out another $10,000 winner's check tonight at Vado (NM) Speedway Park. With 48 Super Late Model competitors in attendance, Dustin Sorensen qualified ninth quickest in Group B during time trials before grabbing the third transfer spot through his heat race. After starting the 40-lapper from the outside of the fifth row, Dustin was ultimately paid for a seventeenth place showing at the Vado oval. (January 13, 2023) The fourth round of the 'Wild West Shootout' miniseries drew 51 Super Late Model competitors to Vado Speedway Park in Vado, New Mexico, as entrants vied for yet another $10,000 windfall. Dustin Sorensen laid down the third quickest lap in Group A during the time trial session and later secured an impressive heat race triumph. After drawing the sixth starting spot for the 30-lap main event, Dustin had climbed up to fifth in the running order and was looking for more when contact from another competitor ultimately caused a late flat tire. The Rochester, Minnesota ace was relegated to a fifteenth place performance tonight in the desert. (January 11, 2023) Following a couple of days off in the desert, the third round of the 'Wild West Shootout' miniseries took place tonight at Vado Speedway Park in Vado, New Mexico. With 46 entrants in the pit area, Dustin Sorensen started off his evening by posting the tenth quickest time in Group B during the qualifying session. Dustin then placed fifth in his loaded heat race before securing a triumph in his B-Main. The Rochester, Minnesota standout then drove the #28 Mars Racing machine to a seventeenth place effort in the $10,000 to win headliner. (January 8, 2023) Round two of the 'Wild West Shootout' took center stage tonight at Vado (NM) Speedway Park, as another $10,000 top prize was up for grabs. Dustin Sorensen knocked down the fifth fastest lap in Group A during time trials prior to finishing sixth in his heat race and third in his B-Main. After rolling off from the inside of the eleventh row in the 40-lapper, Dustin was able to charge past eight competitors during the entertaining contest to land in the thirteenth spot in the final rundown. (January 7, 2023) Dustin Sorensen officially made his debut with Mars Racing earlier tonight in the 'Wild West Shootout' opener at Vado Speedway Park in Vado, New Mexico! A total of 48 Super Late Model competitors showed up in the desert to vie for the $10,000 winner's check. Dustin stopped the clock eleventh quickest in Group B during the qualifying session before running fifth in his stacked heat race. Following a B-Main triumph, Dustin was unfortunately an early retiree in the 40-lap feature and was officially scored in the twenty-fourth finishing position.
JIMMY MARS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT From there, Jimmy went on to star on the Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Racing Series (UDTRA) where he racked up twelve career series victories and finished as high as second in the point standings in 2004 when the tour was rebranded as the Stacker2 Xtreme DirtCar Series. The Menomonie, Wisconsin star also finished second in the DIRTcar Summer Nationals point standings in 2005 and amassed a total of seven career “Hell Tour” wins. His last stint full-time with a series came back in 2013 when he was third in the final point tally for the short-lived National Dirt Racing League (NDRL). He also has multiple national wins with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, and the Short Track Auto Racing Stars (STARS) series on his illustrious resume. Jimmy also dabbled in asphalt racing early in his storied career and was the 1999 NASCAR RE/MAX Series Rookie of the Year. | full story
JIMMY MARS CLOSES OUT 2022 WITH TOP FIVE With a $6,000 top prize on the line in Saturday's 50-lap finale, the Menomonie, Wisconsin Hall of Famer steered his familiar #28 machine past a handful of competitors en route to a solid fifth place showing behind only victor Darrell Nelson, Nick Anvelink, Pat Doar, and Derek Vesel! Complete results from the season-ending 'Red Clay Classic' weekend can be found online by clicking on www.abcraceway.com. | press release
MARS CONTINUES TO DOMINATE MAHDER 55! Over the weekend at Red Cedar Speedway, the 42nd Annual 'Punky Manor Challenge of Champions' was held and a $4,500 paycheck was up for grabs for the WISSOTA Late Models. Jimmy moved up two spots during his heat race on Friday evening to finish in the second position. After inclement weather on Saturday night pushed the 40-lap main event back to Sunday afternoon, Jimmy ran as high as second in the running order of the daytime special event. At the checkers of the 'Punky Manor Challenge of Champions,' the Menomonie, Wisconsin ace found himself in the fourth spot behind only race winner Chad Mahder, Darrell Nelson, and A.J. Diemel! Complete results from the busy weekend can be accessed online at www.redcedarspeedway.com. | press release
JIMMY MARS REPEATS IN WISSOTA 100! The popular driver known as the "Iceman" was the class of the WISSOTA Late Model field in leading each and every circuit to pocket the $10,000 payday for his tenth triumph of the year over runner-up Don Shaw, Pat Doar, Cole Searing, and Chad Becker! Complete results from the action-packed 'WISSOTA 100' weekend can be accessed online by clicking on www.i94speedways.com. | press release
MARS GETS THIRD SILVER 1000 TITLE!!! The Menomonie, Wisconsin Hall of Famer then took the lead for good on a lap 35 restart and held the point for the final five circuits to bag the $6,000 payday for his third career 'Silver 1000' title over Pat Doar, Kyle Peterlin, Jeff Massingill, and Trent Follmer! Complete results can be located online by clicking on www.wissotachallengeseries.com. | press release
JIMMY MARS HEADS TO HAWKEYE STATE The 'Quad Cities 150' then concluded on Saturday and a huge crowd was on hand in the Hawkeye State to witness the finale, which boasted a hefty $30,000 windfall. Jimmy finished fifth in his loaded heat race, but was primed to capture a coveted transfer spot through his B-Main before suffering terminal problems under the hood. The Menomonie, Wisconsin Hall of Famer was unfortunately forced to watch the 70-lap headliner that was won by Tanner English. Complete results from Davenport Speedway can be found online by clicking on www.woolms.com.
MARS COMPETES AT CEDAR LAKE FOR $5,000
JIMMY MARS GETS EIGHTH WIN OF 2022! He then quickly grabbed the point on the first circuit of the headliner at the Rice Lake, Wisconsin oval and paced the field for each and every lap. At the checkers, Jimmy was celebrating a $2,000 triumph for besting a top five that included runner-up Rick Hanestad, Pat Doar, Sam Mars, and Mike Prochnow! Complete results from Saturday's stop to Rice Lake Speedway can be viewed online at www.ricelakespeedway.net. | press release
MARS UP SEVEN SPOTS IN SUPERIOR FINALE
NO LUCK FOR MARS IN USA NATIONALS... At Cedar Lake on Friday night in Super Late Model action, Jimmy moved up to seventh in his first heat race of the evening, while he secured a popular victory in the final heat race. Behind the wheel of his local Late Model in the $2,500 to win showdown, the Menomonie, Wisconsin Hall of Famer ran third in his heat race and had vaulted up to second in the A-Main when he unfortunately hit the concrete wall hard, which dropped him to a twentieth place performance. The #28 team did not return to Cedar Lake Speedway on Saturday for the final night of the 'USA Nationals' weekend. Complete results from each day can be located online at www.cedarlakespeedway.com. (Todd Boyd Photo)
SEVENTH WIN FOR MARS COMES IN THRILLER!
ICEMAN WINS TWICE IN XR NORTHERN STORM! The action then quickly shifted to ABC Raceway in Ashland, Wisconsin on Thursday evening for the annual '444 Memorial,' which boasted a $2,444 winner's check. Jimmy was unfortunately involved in a tangle near the halfway mark in the 44-lapper, which relegated him to a disappointing twenty-first place performance. At Gondik Law Speedway in Superior, Wisconsin in the finale on Friday, a pair of $2,000 paydays were on the line in the annual running of the 'Twin Ports Twin 25s.' Jimmy beat Pat Doar, Jeff Massingill, James Giossi, and Cole Searing to the checkers in the first contest to bag $2,000, while he later passed ten competitors during the second Twin 25 to finish in the fourth position. Complete results from each of these XR Northern Storm races can be found online at www.racexr.com. (Jacy Norgaard Photo)
MARS CHARGES TO MENOMONIE TOP FIVE! Following a rain-out on Saturday evening at I-94 Speedway in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, Jimmy returned home to compete on Sunday at the nearby Red Cedar Speedway in Menomonie, Wisconsin. The popular driver known as the "Iceman" laid down only the twenty-fifth quickest lap overall during time trials, but later placed sixth in his loaded heat race. After rolling off from the outside of the eighth row in the 40-lapper, Jimmy blasted past eleven competitors at his hometown venue to land in the fifth finishing position behind only $10,000 victor Mike Marlar, Ricky Weiss, Dennis Erb, Jr., and Shane Clanton! Complete results from the weekend in the Upper Midwest can be found by logging onto www.woolms.com. (Jacy Norgaard Photo)
JIMMY MARS ADVANCES TO THIRD Jimmy moved up one spot in his heat race to finish second and later rolled off from the outside of the fourth row in the 20-lap feature event. The popular driver known as the "Iceman" then steered past a handful of competitors during the contest to land on the podium in third behind only victor Mike Prochnow and runner-up Sam Mars. Complete results from the Menomonie, Wisconsin oval can be located online by clicking on www.redcedarspeedway.com. | press release
MARS CONTINUES WINNING WAYS!
JIMMY MARS GETS THIRD WIN OF SEASON!
MARS WINS MASTERS FINALE FOR $10,000! Earlier in the tripleheader weekend, the #28 team enjoyed a pair of solid podium performances at CLS. In Thursday's $3,000 to win 'Masters' opener, Jimmy advanced to second in his loaded heat race before placing third in the 35-lapper behind only victor Nick Panitzke and runner-up Pat Doar. At Cedar Lake Speedway on Friday evening, a $5,000 winner's check was up for grabs for the ground-pounding Late Models. Jimmy won his heat race in preliminary action prior to once again claiming a third place effort in the 40-lap feature behind only race winner Chad Mahder and runner-up James Giossi. Complete results from all three 'Masters' races can be found online by clicking on www.cedarlakespeedway.com. | press release
JIMMY MARS ENTERS MILLION & DREAM When the weekend rolled around at the "Big E," all eyes were focused on the annual running of the 'Dirt Late Model Dream.' On Friday night during the $12,000 to win preliminary show, Jimmy laid down the twenty-fifth quickest lap in his group during qualifying before finishing tenth in his heat race. More rain then invaded the area prior to start the B-Main and Jimmy opted to scratch from the remainder of the weekend and did not attempt to compete in Saturday's $128,000 to win 'Dirt Late Model Dream.' Complete results from each day at Eldora Speedway can be found online at www.eldoraspeedway.com. (Todd Healy Photo)
MARS NABS STARS & STRIPES 40 TOP FIVE
FIRST WIN OF 2022 FOR MARS COMES AT CLS! In Open Wheel Modified competition at CLS, Jimmy moved up four spots during his heat race to land in the fourth finishing position. After rolling off from the inside of the fourth row in the $700 to win headliner, the Menomonie, Wisconsin star was able to steer past four more competitors on his way to a third place podium effort behind only victor Cory Mahder and runner-up Cory Williams. Full results from Cedar Lake Speedway can be accessed by logging onto www.cedarlakespeedway.com. | press release
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(January
15, 2023) The six-race 'Wild West Shootout' miniseries
wrapped up in a big way tonight at Vado Speedway Park, as a whopping
$25,000 paycheck was up for grabs at the Vado, New Mexico facility.
Dustin Sorensen timed in fourth fastest in Group A during the qualifying
session, but was unfortunately involved in an incident in his heat
race. Dustin then stormed from the back of the B-Main to win the
consolation race, which lined him up starting seventeenth on the
grid in the 50-lap headliner. At the end of the Vado finale, the
Rochester, Minnesota native was scored in the fifteenth finishing
position. (Mike Ruefer Photo)
(November
10, 2022) After 37 years in the seat of a race car, Dirt
Late Model Hall of Famer Jimmy Mars is announcing his retirement
from racing today effective immediately. Jimmy, who started racing
locally in 1985 in a Street Stock at the age of only thirteen, exploded
onto the Dirt Late Model scene with his ‘USA Nationals’
victory in 1996 at the renowned Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond,
Wisconsin and in 1997 with his thrilling $100,000 triumph in the
‘Dirt Late Model Dream’ at the famed Eldora Speedway
in Rossburg, Ohio. The latter was a race Jimmy almost didn’t
even attend because of his duties on the family farm, but a win
that made him a household name across the industry.
(October
2, 2022) The Mars Racing team invaded ABC Raceway in Ashland,
Wisconsin on September 30-October 1 for the annual running of the
'Red Clay Classic.' On Friday night during preliminary action for
the WISSOTA Late Model special, Jimmy Mars moved past four competitors
during his heat race to finish in the third position. In the 16-lap
special Red’s Auto Fans Choice Feature that closed out the
evening, Jimmy blasted his way from the inside of the sixth row
to take home the victory and the $800 payday! (Tom
Krob Photo)
(September
26, 2022) Jimmy Mars continued his dominance of the annual
'Mahder 55' on Thursday night, September 22 at the nearby Red Cedar
Speedway in Menomonie, Wisconsin! After securing a heat race triumph
in preliminary action, Jimmy rolled off from the pole position in
the 55-lap feature event. The popular driver known as "The
Iceman" then led from flag-to-flag in the headliner to bag
the $5,555 top prize for his eleventh win of the season ahead of
a top five that included runner-up A.J. Diemel, Chad Mahder, Darrell
Nelson, and Rick Hanestad!
(September
18, 2022) Menomonie, Wisconsin Hall of Famer Jimmy Mars
repeated in the annual 'WISSOTA 100' on Saturday night, September
17 at I-94 Sure Step Speedway in Fergus Falls, Minnesota to reach
the double digit win mark for his 2022 campaign! Jimmy, who secured
a heat race triumph and a preliminary feature victory on Thursday
evening, rolled off from the outside of the front row in the 40-lap
grand finale that was actually held in the wee hours of Sunday morning
due to heavy rain showers. (Cody Papke Photo)
(September
2, 2022) Jimmy Mars and his Mars Racing team celebrated
in victory lane for the ninth time in 2022 on Thursday evening,
September 1 in the 50th Annual 'Silver 1000' at Halvor Lines Speedway
in Proctor, Minnesota! Jimmy blasted past five competitors during
his heat race to finish in the third spot and later rolled off from
the outside of the front row in the 40-lap headliner, which was
sanctioned by the Structural Buildings WISSOTA Challenge Series.
(High Side Race Shots) 
(August
28, 2022) The month of August for Jimmy Mars was capped
off in a big way in the 'Quad Cities 150' at Davenport Speedway
in Davenport, Iowa from August 25-27. The World of Outlaws Case
Construction Late Model Series once again sanctioned the three-day
extravaganza, which started with a pair of $10,000 to win preliminary
programs. On Thursday night in the opener, Jimmy unfortunately missed
out on the 40-lap feature after running seventh in his heat race
and fifth in his B-Main. At the 1/4-mile oval on Friday evening,
Jimmy placed sixth in his heat race, third in his B-Main, and seventeenth
in the 40-lapper.
(August
21, 2022) Following a rain-out on Friday night at Mississippi
Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, Wisconsin, the Mars Racing team
rolled into the renowned Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisconsin
on Saturday evening, August 20. A total of 27 Late Model competitors
showed up at CLS last night and a $5,000 paycheck awaited the winner.
Jimmy Mars started seventh in his heat race and was able to move
past a trio of competitors on his way to a fourth place finish.
The Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer then started the 40-lapper from
the inside of the sixth row, but was an early retiree in the contest
and was ultimately paid for a fifteenth place performance. Complete
results from last night's visit to Cedar Lake Speedway can be found
online at 
(August
14, 2022) Menomonie, Wisconsin Hall of Famer Jimmy Mars
recorded his eighth feature win of the 2022 racing season on Saturday
night, August 13 at Rice Lake Speedway! Jimmy won his heat race
from the third starting spot and later rolled off from the inside
of the second row in the 40-lap WISSOTA Late Model feature event.
(Fry Pan Productions Photo)
(August
10, 2022) Jimmy Mars and his #28 team recently returned
home from a two-day, midweek visit to Gondik Law Speedway in Superior,
Wisconsin on August 8-9. The XR Super Series presided over the 'XR
Superior Showcase,' which shelled out a pair of $20,000 top prizes
for the ground-pounding Super Late Models. On Monday night, Jimmy
unfortunately just missed out on the 40-lap feature event after
running sixth in his heat race and seventh in his B-Main. Things
went much smoother for Mars Racing on Tuesday evening in a similar
$20,000 to win showdown, as Jimmy placed fifth in his loaded heat
race, ran second in his B-Main, and later blasted past seven competitors
during the caution-free headliner on his way to a thirteenth place
showing. Complete results from the 'XR Superior Showcase' can be
viewed online at 
(August
7, 2022) The Mars Racing team made the short trek to the
renowned Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisconsin over the
August 4-6 weekend to compete in the 35th edition of the 'USA Nationals.'
On Thursday night during the $6,000 to win prelim show, which was
sanctioned by the World of Outlaws Case Construction Late Model
Series, Jimmy Mars laid down the nineteenth fastest lap in Group
B during qualifying before advancing to seventh in his stacked heat
race. After being awarded the third and final transfer spot through
his B-Main, Jimmy was an early retiree in the 30-lap sprint and
was officially paid for a twenty-third place showing. 
(July
30, 2022) Menomonie, Wisconsin Hall of Famer Jimmy Mars
reached victory lane for the seventh time in 2022 on Friday night,
July 29 at his hometown Red Cedar Speedway! In the weekly WISSOTA
Late Model show, Jimmy passed three competitors to finish fourth
in his heat race and later rolled off from the outside of the fifth
row in the 20-lap feature event. The popular driver known as the
"Iceman" then drove to the front of the field in the A-Main,
pulled off a thrilling last lap pass for the win, and captured the
$1,000 first place prize money over a top five that included runner-up
Greg Nippoldt, John Kaanta, Pat Doar, and Mark Hessler! Complete
results from the Dunn County Fair race can be accessed online at
(July
23, 2022) The Mars Racing team tackled a grueling week
- dubbed as the XR Northern Storm miniseries - from July 18-22 and
picked up a pair of Structural Buildings WISSOTA Challenge Series
feature wins! At Ogilvie Raceway in Ogilvie, Minnesota on Monday,
Jimmy Mars started on the pole and led all forty circuits to record
a $2,000 triumph over Cole Searing, Jon Tollakson, Harry Hanson,
and Danny Vang. Following a rain-out on Tuesday at Grand Rapids
(MN) Speedway, Jimmy vied for another $2,000 top prize on Wednesday
night at Hibbing Raceway in Hibbing, Minnesota. Unfortunately, the
Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer came up one spot shy of a transfer
position into the 40-lap feature after running third in his B-Main.
(July
18, 2022) Jimmy Mars was back in action from July 15-17,
as the World of Outlaws Case Construction Late Model Series was
scheduled to preside over a trio of $10,000 to win throwdowns in
the states of North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. On Friday
night at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Jimmy
timed in seventh quickest in Group B during the qualifying session,
but unfortunately suffered front end damage in his heat race, which
led to an eighth place finish. The Mars Racing team then opted to
scratch from the remainder of the program and did not compete in
the 40-lap feature that was ultimately won by Shane Clanton.
(July
9, 2022) With family and work commitments keeping Jimmy
Mars close to home this weekend, the Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer
did take the opportunity to head to the nearby Red Cedar Speedway
on Friday night, July 8. Another weekly Late Model program was on
tap at his hometown track and a $1,000 payday was on the line.
(Jacy Norgaard Photo)
(July
2, 2022) The Mars Racing team continued their winning
ways on Friday evening, July 1, as they racked up their fourth triumph
of the year in a visit to the nearby Red Cedar Speedway in Menomonie,
Wisconsin! National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Jimmy Mars won
his heat race from the pole position and later started the weekly
Late Model feature event from the inside of the fourth row. Jimmy
then pointed his famed #28 MB Customs mount to the front of the
field, grabbed the lead around the halfway mark of the 20-lap headliner,
and went on to capture the $1,000 top prize at his hometown track.
Finishing behind him at the checkers was runner-up and son Sam Mars,
Mark Hessler, Mike Prochnow, and Pat Doar! Complete results from
Red Cedar Speedway can be accessed online by clicking on 
(June
25, 2022) For the second straight weekend and for the
third time in 2022, Jimmy Mars celebrated in victory lane on Friday
night, June 24 at the nearby Red Cedar Speedway in Menomonie, Wisconsin!
Jimmy won his heat race from the fifth starting spot and later rolled
off from the outside of the third row in the weekly Late Model feature
event. The Menomonie native then quickly moved to the front of the
field in the 20-lap main event and once in the lead, Jimmy dominated
the remainder of the contest. Jimmy bagged the $1,000 payday for
the triumph over a top five that included runner-up Chad Mahder,
Mark Hessler, John Kaanta, and Sam Mars! Complete results from Red
Cedar Speedway can be located by pointing your web browser to 
(June
19, 2022) Menomonie, Wisconsin Hall of Famer Jimmy Mars
has enjoyed a myriad of success throughout his career during the
'Masters' weekend at Cedar Lake Speedway and 2022 was no exception!
Jimmy recorded his second win of the season at the renowned New
Richmond, Wisconsin facility in the weekend finale on Saturday night,
June 18. Jimmy moved past five competitors during his heat race
to finish third and later started the 45-lap Late Model headliner
from the pole position. The popular driver known as "The Iceman"
then led each and every circuit during the contest to bag the $10,000
top prize ahead of a top five that included runner-up Cole Searing,
Shane Edginton, Justin Ritchie, and Pat Doar! (Track
Rat Photos)
(June
12, 2022) Jimmy Mars and his #28 team made their way to
the hallowed high-banks of Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio from
June 8-11 to enter both the 'Eldora Million' and the 'Dirt Late
Model Dream.' Following a washout on Wednesday evening in the Buckeye
State, the entire 'Eldora Million' program was contested on Thursday.
In the daytime preliminary event, which boasted a $12,000 payday,
Jimmy unfortunately got into the wall during qualifying prior to
running fourteenth in his loaded heat race and nineteenth in his
B-Main. In the nightcap where a whopping $1,002,022 top prize was
on the line, Jimmy placed fourteenth in heat race action and was
not able to advance into a B-Main.
(June
4, 2022) The Mars Racing team invaded Mississippi Thunder
Speedway in Fountain City, Wisconsin on Friday night, June 3 for
the annual running of the 'Stars & Stripes 40,' which was sanctioned
by the Dirt Kings Tour. Jimmy Mars won his heat race in preliminary
action and later started third on the grid in the $5,000 to win
headliner. Jimmy was shuffled back early in the 40-lap contest and
was eventually paid for a fifth place performance behind only victor
Jake Timm, Justin Ritchie, Nick Panitzke, and James Giossi. Complete
results from last night at MTS can be found online by visiting 
(May
22, 2022) Jimmy Mars and his famed #28 team celebrated
in victory lane for the first time in 2022 on Saturday, May 21 at
Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisconsin! Piloting his familiar
MB Customs Late Model, Jimmy won his heat race in preliminary action
and later led the last half of the weekly main event. At the checkers,
Jimmy bested runner-up Darrell Nelson, Pat Doar, James Giossi, and
Jake Redetzke to collect the $1,250 payday! (Track
Rat Photos)