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By Meghan Diemel - All The Dirt! Racing News

With wins across classes and sanctioning bodies throughout the United States and multiple series and track championships - highlighted by the second WISSOTA Challenge Series Championship for Cole Searing, the seventh Dirt Kings Tour championship for Nick Anvelink, a first-time USRA National Championship in the Modifieds for Tyler Wolff, and another USRA National Championship in the Late Models for Cade Nelson - CMD Race Shocks clients amassed another 600-win season in 2024.

CMD Race Shocks owner Chris Mars credits his wide network of industry connections in helping him support his clients with the latest in technology and innovation.

Not only does he have a direct connection to Integra Racing Shocks and Springs, but he has built relationships with industry leaders throughout the racing world during his 40-plus years in the sport. Along with shock technician Mark Gerth, they use the mutual feedback to continually improve their products, while also conducting their own in-house innovation.

"In addition to our own research and development, which is done in part with continual client feedback throughout the season," continued Mars. "We're also working with other industry leaders to find out what has been successful for them and their clients, and this back and forth flow of information benefits our clients and leads to great success."

While CMD provides a wealth of knowledge and information concerning shock tuning, Chris and Mark don't stop there for their clients. They help them understand how their shock packages work with the rest of their race car, no matter the chassis brand or class, for better handling and performance.

"Along with your shocks, your setups, chassis issues and driving style are all things a driver needs to work together to achieve success, and that's what we are here for," Gerth said.

That drive and desire has been his motivation since Chris Mars started the business in 2003, in an effort to provide Mars Race Cars clientele with a quality, in-house shock service.

Now, more than two decades later, CMD Race Shocks provides shock packages and tech support for drivers in any class, and in any brand of chassis.

CMD clients celebrate another amazing season

CMD Race Shocks, in complement to the Mars Race Cars and MB Customs brand, were driven to the aforementioned 2024 National Championships in the USRA Modifieds and Late Models, and to major series titles in the Challenge Series, Dirt Kings, as well as the Heartland Mod Tour (Wolff), ARMS Tour (Joe Duvall), and the Ultimate Heart of America Super Late Model Series (Cyle Forgy).

Clients with shocks from CMD were winners at several major events in WISSOTA country in 2024. Kaden Blaeser impressed as he drove the MB Customs house Modified to the Silver 1000 victory at the ripe old age of 16, and backed that up with a victory just a few days later in the Dairyland Dash at Rice Lake Speedway.

Cole Searing garnered his first-ever John Seitz Memorial victory and the $9,200 paycheck, while Mike Stearns and Jarod Klein were winners at the Big Buck Nationals at Brown County Speedway.

Ashley Anderson and Ryan Savoy cleared victory lane during the Northern Nationals in Superior in the Late Models and Midwest Mods, respectively.

AJ Diemel won the Mahder 55 Memorial in the Late Models and the Punky Manor Challenge of Champions in the Modifieds, while Chad Mahder won another Punky Manor title in the Late Models. Shane Halopka picked up the Modified win at the Mahder 55, while Derek Haas nailed down the honors in the Midwest Mods at the Punky.

In WISSOTA 100 action, Blake Adams won a Midwest Mod Qualifying Feature, as well as the Championship Feature, and also net the Granite City Cup and Madtown Showdown, among many other victories, in 2024.

Of the many non-sanctioned big money races outside of WISSOTA, Chad Becker took home Orv's money once again at Dakota State Fair Speedway, while Lucas Schott and Keith Foss split honors in the Modifieds at the North Star Nationals at Mississippi Thunder Speedway.

At the Legendary 100, Qualifying Feature winners included AJ Diemel, Ashley Anderson and Dan Bargender in the Late Models; Cade Nelson in the USRA Late Models; and Darrell Nelson in the Modifieds. Anderson and the Nelsons both took home the wins in the Championship Features.

During the three-day Masters event at Cedar Lake Speedway, Sam Mars, Rodney Sanders, and Charlie Olsen were all winners in action. Mars' success on his uncle's shock program also included his first-ever victory at I-94 Speedway and the Gopher State Showdown later in October, as well as the $5,000-to-win KME?Series at Gondik Law Speedway.

Other drivers with notable wins included Tyler Wolff (Ed Gressel Memorial opener, Grant Junghans Memorial, Larry Phillips Memorial); Darrell Nelson ($5,000 Mod win at Cedar Lake Speedway); Michael Truscott (Kyle Runkle Memorial); Jake Smith (Mod Wars Ogilvie Raceway); Brennon Weight (Timmy Ims Special, Fiesta City Speedway); Nick Perry (Fall Nationals, Interstate Speedway); and Dale Ames and Mike Stearns (Casino Speedway's Autumn Classic).

"It was awesome to see how many clients were able to have successful seasons across the United States, from UMP, USMTS, USRA, and IMCA to WISSOTA sanctioning bodies," said Mark. "It's great to see their hard work pay off each year and be a part of those programs at CMD.

"We know we were a small part of drivers' programs who also picked up first-time wins this year, took home numerous victories in their neck of the woods, won track championships, or had their best season in 2024," he added. "It means a lot to us to have such great clients all over the United States."

It's not just about shocks at CMD Race Shocks

By making that one phone call to CMD for new shocks or a shock rebuild, you become more than a number. Saturday night racers receive the same top-notch service and dedication from Chris and Mark as a national touring driver. If you're a hobby racer, this can help narrow the gap to the top runners in your class.

"In the last decade successful shock programs have become such an integral part of each racer's overall racing success; CMD Race Shocks is committed to helping our clients integrate a setup that works for them and their chassis, whatever brand, schedule and sanctioning body they run, to get them to victory lane," said Chris.

CMD's state-of-the-art service facility features Roehrig Shock and Spring Dynamometers, as well as an Accu-Force Spring Smasher and Wehrs Ultra Force machine for pull bar testing. Chris and Mark also specialize in custom valving shocks to help you win on any track condition - whether it is wet and tacky, a dry slick or somewhere in-between. The team will also revalve or repair your existing shocks. CMD trackside service is present for many of the larger specials throughout the year in WISSOTA Country as well.

CMD has same-day turnaround for repair pieces during the racing season, though they strongly recommend scheduling repairs for full sets. CMD ships Speedee and UPS daily; they accept all major credit cards.

CMD Shocks is located at N5471 648th Street, Menomonie, WI 54751. You can reach Chris by phone at (715) 308-1653, Mark by (715) 308-3340, by fax at (715) 235-4951 or via email at cmdshocks@gmail.com.