After four seasons at the helm of one of the premier sprint car sanctioning bodies in the country I have announced that the 2014 season will be my last with the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt Presented by ARP. This is by my choice so don’t look for controversy, dirty laundry or gossip. My personal business has grown tremendously in the past two years and I cannot give the series the additional time needed to properly run the organization.

The ownership of SOD has been aware of this since late January. I announced this to my dedicated race staff in late March and officially told the incredible SOD teams in mid-June.

I will complete the entire 2014 season including the championship banquet preparation. This is the 35^th year of Sprints on Dirt sanctioning sprint car racing in the Midwest, so I have only been a small part of this, the series has never been stronger and has a tremendous future. I will do a good bye and thank you letter at the end of the season, this is just the official announcement that we are looking for someone to fill this role for 2015.

Anyone interested in this position please feel free to contact me at mlstrevel@gmail.com or cell 616-204-0622. I will be doing the initial interviews and then serious final candidates will interview with series owner John Naida.

This is not a job for the faint of heart. There is a tremendous amount of behind the scenes work that needs to be accomplished. Contingency sponsorship sales are a large part of the work along with race scheduling, rule book review and staff hiring. I will gladly assist/advise the right candidate for the 2015 season if so required. That is for discussion with the new Series Director.

Please serious inquiries only, I will do my best to return email and phone calls. You can always catch me at the track during Sprints on Dirt events. I might be able to give a few minutes to go over details. Look at the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt Schedule on the website to see where I’ll be.

Thank you and see you at the races.

Mike Strevel

Series Director

Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt Presented by ARP

By Bob Buffenbarger

Quincy, MI — (July 26, 2014) — Jared Horstman made the trip from Ohio worthwhile by winning Saturday night’s Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP / K&L Ready Mix National Racing Alliance co-sanctioned event  at Butler Motor Speedway. Ryan Kirkendall started on the pole with Ruhl along side and Ruhl jumped out to the lead at the drop of the green.

Separate caution periods for Doug Zimmerman, Brett Mann and Shawn Dancer slowed action but Ruhl looked untouchable early on as he was running the high side but was able to negotiate traffic with ease. On restarts 2nd place Horstman was able to close but Ruhl would quickly gain some distance on the #17 of Horstman.

Behind the lead pair, Craig Karazim was steady with a strong run in third with Trey Smith, Max Stambaugh, Devon Dobie and Dustin Stroupe and Chase Ridenour  all involved with some great racing for 4th through 8th.

Lap 20 saw Horstman closing again on Ruhl as they were moving in on lapped traffic and on the 21st circuit, Horstman was able to make the pass in turn three on Ruhl. Horstman held Ruhl at bay and and went on to victory. Ruhl held on for second while Craig Karazim, Trey Smith, and Max Stambaugh rounded out the top five.

Heats for the 28 cars on hand went to Horstman, Karazim, Kirkendall and Trey Smith. Brett Mann won the B main and Dustin Stroupe won the dash.

Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP / K&L Ready Mix National Racing Allance
Butler Motor Speedway – Quincy, MI
Saturday July 26, 2014

Hoosier Tire Heat Race #1 (8 Laps):   1. Jared Horstman, 2. Dustin Stroup, 3. Chase Ridenour, 4. Brett Mann, 5. Mark Aldrich, 6. Tyler Moore, 7. Zane DeVault.

All Star Performance / Comp Cams Heat Race #2 (8 Laps):   1. Craig Karazim, 2. Shawn Dancer, 3. Doug Zimmerman, 4. Kyle Pitts, 5. Dustin Daggett, 6. Andy Teunessen, 7. Jim Lingar.

Speed Pro Heat Race #3 (8 Laps):  1. Ryan Kirkendall, 2. Andy Chehowski, 3. Devon Dobie, 4. Ryan Ruhl, 5. Jay Steinebach, 6. Jess Stiger, 7.  Linden Jones.

ARP Fasteners Heat Race #4 (8 Laps):   1. Trey Smith, 2. Max Stambaugh, 3. Brad Lamberson, 4. Hud Horton, 5. J.R. Stewart, 6. Troy Chehowski.  DNS:  Gregg Dalman.

(Top 16 in passing points from the heat race events transferred to the A-Main)

Nitro Black Dash (4 Laps):  1. Dustin Stroup, 2. Doug Zimmerman, 3. Andy Chehowski, 4. Devon Dobie (Finish determined starting posts 9-12 for the A-Main)

Engine Pro B-Main (10 Laps):  1. Brett Mann, 2. Jay Steinebach, 3. J.R. Stewart, 4. Troy Chehowski, 5. Mark Aldrich, 6. Linden Jones, 7. Tyler Moore, 8. Jess Stiger, 9. Jim Lingar, 10. Zane DeVault, 11. Andy Teunessen.  DNS:  Gregg Dalman.  (First four finishers transferred to the A-Main)

A-Main (25 Laps):    1. Jared Horstman, 2. Ryan Ruhl, 3. Craig Karazim, 4. Trey Smith, 5. Max Stambaugh, 6. Devon Dobie, 7. Dustin Stroup, 8. Chase Ridenour, 9. Brad Lamberson, 10. Dustin Daggett, 11. Hud Horton, 12. Ryan Kirkendall, 13. Andy Chehowski, 14. Kyle Pitts, 15. Doug Zimmerman, 16. J.R. Stewart, 17. Troy Chehowski, 18. Jay Stienebach, 19. Shawn Dancer, 20. Brett Mann.

Lap Leaders:   Ruhl 1-21, Horstman 22-25

Engine Pro Lucky Dog:   Doug Zimmerman

By T.J. Buffenbarger

Hartford, MI — (July 25, 2014) – Ryan Ruhl has found the sweet spot at Hartford Motor Speedway.  Ruhl won the second Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP feature of the season at the ½-mile oval starting fourth and leading ever lap.

Trey Smith started on the pole with Ruhl getting the jump at the start.   Ruhl motored away while Smith and Gregg Dalman raced for the second spot.  Shortly after Dustin Daggett, who started in seventh, moved up to make a three car race for the top spot.

Following a caution for Craig Karazim, who rode the wall through three and four without flipping, coming to a stop on the front stretch Ruhl pulled away with Daggett moving into second.  Daggett set out after Ruhl, but to no avail with Ruhl taking the victory over Daggett, Dalman, Smith, and Chase Ridenour.   Karazim, Daggett and Ridenour won the heat races.  Ridenour also won the dash.

Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP
Hartford Speedway – Hartford, MI
Friday July 25, 2014

Hoosier Tire Heat Race #1 (8 Laps):    1. Craig Karazim, 2. Jay Steinebach, 3. Linden Jones, 4. Chase Ridenour, 5. Brad Lamberson, 6. Kyle Pitts.

All Star Performance / Comp Cams Heat Race #2 (8 Laps):   1. Brett Mann, 2. Ryan Ruhl, 3. Mark Aldrich, 4. Ken Mackey, 5.Andy Teunessen, 6. Jim Lingar.

Speed Pro Heat Race #3 (8 Laps):  1. Dustin Dagget, 2. Trey Smith, 3. Gregg Dalman, 4. Andy Chewhowski, 5. Oscar Smith, 6.  Dustin Shriver.

Nitro Black Dash (4 Laps):  1. Ridenour, 2. Ken Mackey, 3. Linden Jones, 4. Andy Chehowski.  (Finish determined starting posts 9-12 for the A-Main)

A-Main (25 Laps):    1. Ryan Ruhl, 2. Dustin Daggett, 3. Gregg Dalman, 4. Trey Smith, 5. Chase Ridenour, 6. Jay Steinebach, 7. Mark Aldrich, 8. Kyle Pitts, 9. Brad Lamberson, 10. Andy Teunessen, 11. Linden Jones, 12. Andy Chehowski, 13. Jim Lingar, 14. Brett Mann, 15. Ken Mackey, 16. Craig Karazim, 17. Oscar Smith. DNS:  Dustin Shriver.

Lap Leaders:   Ruhl 1-25

By T.J. Buffenbarger

Crystal, MI – (July 19, 2014) – For the third season in a row Randy Hannagan pulled into victory lane after winning the Engine Pro Mid-Season Championship feature for the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP and the K&L Ready Mix National Racing Alliance.   Hannagan took the lead from Max Stambaugh on lap four and maintained his lead with Dustin Daggett and Tony Stewart in pursuit through heavy traffic for the victory.

“I moved all around the race track and found a line I was comfortable with.  I probably moved my line probably ten times in this race and I found a really good spot up top running into turn one, squaring off, and running off the bottom and it worked out really good,” said Hannagan after the race.  “Anytime you have the guys from up here like Dustin Daggett, Dalman, then you have Tony Stewart, and all of the other cars from the other series that were here and there are a bunch of good racers here.  We were just the ones that figured it out early on to get the lead and were able to hold on.”

Ryan Ruhl and Stambaugh started on the front row for the 35-lap feature.   Stambaugh took the lead as Hannagan moved into second spot.  On lap four Hannagan got around Stambaugh for the lead and started to check out from the rest of the field.

Further back in the field the two drivers making the biggest moves were Stewart and Daggett, who started eighth and tenth respectively. Stewart moved into sixth on lap three and then started to race with J.R. Stewart, and Ryan Ruhl for third, fourth, and fifth positions.

After a lap nine caution for Shawn Dancer slowing on the backstretch Hannagan pulled away during the restart.  Stewart’s car came to life during the restart as he dove under Ruhl for fourth in turns one and two, one lap later drove around Brett Mann for third, and had taken second away from Max Stambaugh when J.R. Stewart slammed the front stretch wall and flipped in turn one.   J.R. emerged from his car under his own power.

The red flag period was immediately followed by a caution for Kyle Pitts spinning in turn four.  During the second attempt to restart following the red flag Stewart and Stambaugh traded second place back and forth while Hannagan pulled away.  With 12 laps in Daggett moved into fourth and started to gain ground on Stewart.  Daggett and Stewart raced hard for position, nearly making contact in turn two on one occasion, but kept going and did not lose ground to Stambaugh.

Stewart finally wrestled second away from Stambaugh and set out after Hannagan.  One lap later Daggett disposed of Stambaugh and began trying to catch the lead duo.

With 10 laps to go the race for the lead began to heat up.  Hannagan was heavy traffic and Stewart closed within four car lengths.  When Hannagan came upon a pack of four cars racing side by side for position Stewart and Daggett closed in.  Hannagan changed from the bottom line to the top to counter Stewart’s challenge.  The move slowed Stewart’s momentum enough to setup Daggett to drive around Stewart off turn four to take the second spot.   Daggett then went after Hannagan for the lead, but Hannagan was able to put several lapped cars between himself and Daggett that kept Daggett boxed in.  This was enough for Hannagan to maintain his advantage and take the victory over Daggett, Stewart, Stambaugh, and Dustin Stroup.

Heat race victories went to Jared Horstman, Ruhl, Tony Stewart, and Teunessen.  The B-Main victory went to Devin Dobie while Stroup won the dash.

During the B-Main Eric Smith flipped off of turn one.  Smith emerged from his car uninjured.

Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP
K&L Ready Mix National Racing Alliance
Mike Olrich Memorial / Engine Pro Mid-Season Championship
Crystal Motor Speedway – Crystal, MI
Saturday July 19, 2014

Hoosier Racing Tire Heat Race #1 (8 Laps): 1. Jared Horstman, 2. Max Stambaugh, 3. Dustin Daggett, 4. Dustin Stroup, 5. Andy Chehowski, 6. Troy Chehowski, 7. Craig Karazim, 8. Mark Strpko.

All Star Performance / Comp Cams Heat Race #2 (8 Laps): 1. Ryan Ruhl, 2. Randy Hannagan, 3. Brad Lamberson, 4. Shawn Dancer, 5. Mark Aldrich, 6. Gregg Dalman, 7. Tank Brakneberry.

Speed Pro Heat Race #3 (8 Laps): 1. Tony Stewart, 2. J.R. Stewart, 3. Jay Steinebach, 4. Kyle Pitts, 5. Chase Ridenour, 6. Eric Smith. DNS: Ralph Brakenberry.

ARP Heat Race #4 (8 Laps): 1. Andy Teunessen, 2. Brett Mann, 3. Joe Geibe, 4. Gavin Hunyady, 5. Jess Stiger, 6. Devon Dobie, 7. Chris Pobanz.

Engine Pro B-Main (10 Laps): 1. Devon Dobie, 2. Gregg Dalman, 3. Gavin Hunyady, 4. Craig Karazim, 5. Jess Stiger, 6. Andy Chehowski, 7. Mark Aldrich, 8. Chris Pobanz, 9. Troy Chehowski, 10. Tank Brakenberry, 11. Eric Smith. DNS: Mark Strpko, Ralph Brakenberry. (First four finshers transfered to the A-Main)

Nitro Black Dash (4 Laps): 1. Dustin Stroup, 2. Dustin Daggett, 3. Shawn Dancer, 4. Joe Geibe. (Determined starting spots 9-12 in the A-Main)

A-Main (25-Laps): 1. Randy Hannagan, 2. Dustin Daggett, 3. Tony Stewart, 4. Max Stambaugh, 5. Dustin Stroup, 6. Jared Horstman, 7. Brett Mann, 8. Ryan Ruhl, 9. Brad Lamberson, 10. Gregg Dalman, 11. Andy Teunessen, 12. Jay Steinebach, 13. Craig Karazim, 14. Chase Ridenour, 15. Devon Dobie, 16. Jess Stiger 17. Gavin Hunyady, 18. Kyle Pitts, 19. J.R. Stewart, 20. Shawn Dancer.

By T.J. Buffenbarger

Auburn, MI – (July 18, 2014) – Tony Stewart’s comeback from a broken leg last season took another step forward on Friday by winning the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP event at the Tri-City Motor Speedway.  Stewart made his first start in a sprint car since the injury memorable one by moving up from the fifth starting spot and inherited the lead after Dustin Daggett drove off the backstretch.    The win was Stewart’s second career SOD feature win and first since 2012.

While pulling into victory lane Stewart actually had thought he finished second, and was surprised to find out he won.

“It’s been eleven and a half months since I’ve been (in a sprint car), and I really missed it,” said Stewart in victory lane.  Stewart also thanked his sponsor Rush Trailer Sales for having people on hand to witness his comeback victory and all of the race fans for their support.

Randy Hannagan started from the pole and took the lead at the start of the race.  Hannagan led the first five laps before Daggett took the lead on laps six and immediately opened up a sizeable advantage.    Meanwhile, Stewart methodically moved up from fifth starting spot to challenge Hannagan for second.   Stewart moved into the runner up spot with eight laps to go.  One lap later the unthinkable happened as while negotiating slower traffic Daggett drop off of the end of the race track, dropping back to third and handing Stewart the lead.  From there it was all Stewart leading the rest of the way.  Hannagan held onto the runner up spot while Ryan Ruhl moved past Daggett late in the race to take over the final podium spot.  Daggett and Gregg Dalman rounded out the top five.

Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP
Tri-City Motor Speedway – Auburn, MI
Friday July 18, 2014

Hoosier Tire Heat Race #1 (8 Laps):   1. Dustin Daggett, 2. Tony Stewart, 3. Gregg Dalman, 4. Joe Geibe, 5. Dan McCarron, 6. Tank Brakenberry, 7. Ralph Brakenberry.

All Star Performance / Comp Cams Heat Race #2 (8 Laps):  1. Troy Chehowski, 2. Randy Hannagan, 3. Brad Lamberson, 4. Chase Ridenour, 5. Mark Aldrich, 6. Chris Pobanz, 7. Andy Chehowski

Speed Pro Heat Race #3 (8 Laps):  1. Ryan Ruhl, 2. Gavin Hunyady, 3. Kyle Pitts, 4. Brett Mann, 5. Robert Huisken, 6. Craig Karazim, 7. Eric Smith.

Nitro Black Dash (4 Laps):   1. Chase Ridenour, 2. Joe Geibe, 3. Brad Lamberson, 4. Dan McCarron.

Engine Pro A-Main (25 Laps):  1. Tony Stewart, 2. Randy Hannagan, 3. Ryan Ruhl, 4. Dustin Daggett, 5. Gregg Dalman, 6. Kyle Pitts, 7. Gavin Hunyady, 8. Brad Lamberson, 9. Brett Mann, 10. Troy Chehowski, 11. Dan McCarron, 12. Joe Geibe, 13. Mark Aldrich, 14. Chase Ridenour, 15. Craig Karazim, 16. Chris Pobanz, 17. Robert Huisken, 18. Eric Smith, 19. Tank Brakenberry.  DNS:  Andy Chehowski, Ralph Brakenberry.

Lap leaders: Hannagan 1-5, Daggett, 6-18, Stewart 19-25