8/11/2024
Ryan Unzicker
Unzicker doubles up with MARS at Sycamore and East Moline
Ryan Unzicker’s pursuit for the MARS Late Model Championship Series title continued on Friday afternoon with an in-state visit to Sycamore Speedway (Maple Park, Ill.) to pilot his Low Voltage Solutions No. 24 Late Model.
Drawing 18 Super Late Models for the event serving as the opener of the tripleheader weekend, Unzicker backed up the seventh-fastest qualifying effort with a runner-up heat finish. Starting on the front row for the feature, Ryan took command of the lead on the second circuit and paced the remainder of the 40-lapper to claim his fifth win of the season and the $5,000 payday.
“It feels great to win, the season started off terrible and we’re starting to build some momentum, you know this is what’s making racing fun” Unzicker said. “It’s a team effort and takes a lot of money to go up and down the road, so I just appreciate everyone who sponsor me. It takes a lot, we appreciate them all and feels really good to be right here.”
For the Kerby Strong 100 on Saturday at Macon (IL) Speedway, Ryan recorded a pair of runner-up finishes in his heat race and the feature. He joined race-winner Jason Feger on the podium in the 100-lapper with Mike Spatola coming in third.
In Sunday’s weekend finale at East Moline (IL) Speedway, Unzicker outran Lucas Oil Late Model Series regular Garrett Alberson in the main event to secure his second win in as many nights. He collected a $5,000 paycheck for his sixth overall victory of the 2024 campaign.
"I could hear somebody behind me. Obviously it was Alberson. I knew he was gonna be good; he's always tough. Jason's always tough. This is awesome," Unzicker said, thanking his sponsors, crew and family. "I drove my guys home last night (after competing in Macon, Ill.), got back to the shop, they unloaded the car, they worked on it till like 3:30-4 o'clock this morning while I got some rest. I wouldn't have made it today if it wasn't for them. So it just takes a team effort."
On the heels of a two-win weekend, Unzicker closed the distance from himself and current MARS point-leader Jason Feger to 37 markers.
Full results from the events available at www.MARSRacingSeries.com.