After three years of planning, Sprints on Dirt is excited to announce dramatic new 2016 rules that may be destined to shake up the entire sprint car racing world! To sum up the major points of Sprints on Dirt’s 2016 rule book:
• No engine rules.
• No weight rule.
• Cars must maintain the appearance of a current conventional sprint car.
• Single right rear and single left rear spec tires.
• Current wing rules to avoid increased wing costs.
• Safety rules will, of course, remain in place.

Virtually any sprint car racing anywhere today will be legal to race with SoD in 2016. Beyond that, any engine will be legal! The door will also be opened to utilize equipment currently not being raced. The emphasis will be on driver and mechanic skill, not astronomical budgets and state-of-the-art equipment.

Controlling costs is a concern at every level in any type of racing. For several years SoD, as a headline series, has been in compliance with numerous 360 cubic inch sprint car organizations by adhering to ASCS rules. However, 2015 ASCS changes and pending future changes make this approach unrealistic and problematic. Although ASCS announced yesterday that they were forgoing the aluminum block allowance for 2016, it makes little or no difference. Our dilemma became how to abandon these rules while not becoming an isolated, one of a kind restricted organization; SoD has found a way.

The SoD approach is simple; less is better; decrease rules and restrictions to an absolute minimum and exclude no one from racing with SoD. New spec right rear and left rear tires, both built specifically to meet our requirements will limit the impact of expensive horsepower while enhancing competition. The new tires maintain the traditional sprint car look. Testing of the tire package has been very successful.

WHO WINS? EVERYONE!

SoD’s goals for racers are:
• An opportunity to utilize equipment that may not be practical or legal now.
• Decrease the cost to be competitive considerably with the right racer and mechanic skills.
• Allow visiting racers to race with SoD with no more changes to their home-legal cars than they now make from one track to another.
• Help regular competitors who experience engine failures to return to competition at a lower cost and in less time than now.
• Make it easy for new competitors to race with SoD regardless of the motor they have. Any motor, legal anywhere else or not, will be legal with SoD.
• Through increased interest, increase sponsorship opportunities for SoD competitors.

SoD’s goals for race fans are:
• To present more exciting races.
• Have closer competition.
• Increase the number cars.

SoD’s goals for parts businesses, distributors and retailers alike are:
• For a greater number of automotive parts manufacturers will see a new market open.
• More opportunities to increase business through this new approach to sprint car racing.
• Make sponsorships of SoD, its partner tracks, and competitors more beneficial.
• Provide the potential of increased sales to racing fans and racers alike.

SoD’s goals for track promoters are:
• More fan interest.
• Larger fields of cars.
• Closer competition.
• Greater promotional opportunities.
• For tracks currently running a sprint car class regularly, their regular competitors will no longer be excluded from the track’s SoD shows due to rules.

From its inception over 35 years ago, Sprints on Dirt has been a leader and innovator. Several things commonplace in sprint car racing today were originated by SoD. It is a good bet that this will be another one. We are determined to ensure that sprint car racing not only survives, but prospers and grows.

Sprints on Dirt welcomes open dialogue with competitors, tracks, and organizations interested in the revolution!

Crystal,Mi (Sept. 5th 2015)- Ryan Ruhl captured the 25 lap Engine Pro, Sprints On Dirt, presented by ARP “Mike Olrich Memorial” at Crystal Motor Speeday Saturday in front of a packed house. Gregg Dalman became the series 2015 Champion after his 11th place finish tonight and Kyle Pitts captured the Short Track Challenge championship following his 5th place finish.

The “Mike Olrich Memorial” was originally set for July but suffered a rainout, therefore the event recalling the very popular former series director was made up on the Labor Day weekend visit to the 1/3 mile facility.

Craig Karazim would start on the pole of the feature with Kyle Pitts along side. Pitts led at the green with 3rd starting Ryan Ruhl quickly disposing of Karazim and setting his sights on Pitts. Pitts managed to hold Ruhl at bay for several laps but lap 10 saw Ruhl go low, pulling even with Pitts with the duo running side by side for two laps until Ruhl completed the pass and took command. Max Stambaugh in the #17 was now pressuring Pitts and moved into 2nd.

With less than five laps remaining, Ruhl encountered heavy lapped traffic. Stambaugh pounced and wrestled the lead away but Ruhl was strong and drove back around Stambaugh. 16th starting Dustin Daggett had advanced to third just as laps were running out. As the checkers waved, Ruhl drove under them followed by Stambaugh, Daggett, Kyle Sauder and Pitts.

A nice field 27 strong, saw heats won by Buckeyes Sauder, Stambaugh, Devon Dobie and John Gall. Troy Chehowski picked up the B main win.

Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP
Mike Olrich Memorial
Crystal Motor Speedway
Crystal, MI
Saturday September 5, 2015

Comp Cams / Lane Automotive Heat Race #1 (8 Laps): 1. 83 – Kyle Sauder, 2. 16 – Ryan Ruhl, 3. 11R – Chase Ridenour, 4. 1A – Mark Aldrich, 5. 89 – Chris Pobanz, 6. 23G – Joe Geibe, 7. 50B – Mike Burns. (Top four finishers transferred to the A-Main)

Kistler Racing Products Heat Race #2 (8 Laps): 1. 17H – Max Stambaugh, 2. 4 – Craig Karazim, 3. 22M – Dan McCarron, 4. 49T – Gregg Dalman, 5. 21T – Troy Chehowski, 6. 20A – Andy Chehowski, 7. 2T – Ralph Brakenberry. (Top four finishers transferred to the A-Main)

Allstar Performance / Engler Machine and Tool Heat Race #3 (8 Laps): 1. 23 – Devon Dobie, 2. 7K – Kyle Pitts, 3. 27 – Brad Lamberson, 4. 19 – Brett Mann, 5. 7 – Nic Rogers, 6. 47 – Brian Smith, 7. 3 – Tank Brakenberry. (Top four finishers transferred to the A-Main)

Hoosier Tire Heat Race #4 (8 Laps): 1. 81 – John Gall, 2. 84 – Kyle Poortenta, 3. 11G – Luke Griffith, 4. 2M – Dustin Daggett, 5. 46 – Robert Huisken. DNS: 31 – Andy Teunessen. (Top four finishers transferred to the A-Main)

B-Main (10 Laps): 1. 21T – Troy Chehowski, 2. 89 – Chris Pobanz, 3. 47 – Eric Smith, 4. 7 – Nic Rogers, 5. 20A – Andy Chehowski, 6. 23G – Joe Geibe, 7. 50B – Mike Burns, 8. 46 – Robert Huisken, 9. 3T – Tank Brakenberry, 10. 2T – Ralph Brakenberry.

A-Main (25 Laps): 1. 16 – Ryan Ruhl, 2. 17H – Max Stambaugh, 3. 2M – Dustin Daggett, 4. 83 – Kyle Sauder, 5. 7K – Kyle Pitts, 6. 11R – Chase Ridenour, 7. 4 – Craig Karazim, 8. 23 – Devon Dobie, 9. 22M – Dan McCarron, 10. 19 – Brett Mann, 11. 49T – Gregg Dalman, 12. 11G – Luke Griffith, 13. 7 – Nic Rogers, 14. 1A – Mark Aldrich, 15. 21T – Troy Chehowski, 16. 89 – Chris Pobanz, 17. 27 – Brad Lamberson, 18. 84 – Kyle Poortenga, 19. 81 – John Gall, 20. 47 – Brian Smith.

Photo by Dirt Road Photography

Hartford, MI — (September 4, 2015) — Even though it had been almost 10 years since visiting Hartford Speedway Kyle Sauder looked as sharp as ever around the massive half mile oval picking up the feature victory Friday with the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP. Sauder took the lead from Ryan Ruhl while negotiating slower traffic and held on following a late race restart for the victory in the CH Motorsports car.

For Sauder ripping around Hartford’s half mile was like putting on his favorite pair of shoes after not wearing them for a long time.

“I love this place. It’s big and fast. Ryan (Ruhl) made me work for the win tonight,” said Sauder. “These guys are pretty good up here, and just to come up here once a year and win is great. I’m just glad to get CH Motorsports with Terry Hendricks in victory lane.”

Linden Jones and Gregg Dalman started on the front row for the 20-lap main event. Brett Mann made an aggressive move at the start to make it three wide through turns one and two to lead the opening lap. Ryan Ruhl pounced on Dalman to take over the second spot and immediately started to apply pressure on Mann for the lead when Joe Geibe came to a stop on the front stretch with front end damage. Geibe was forced pit side and was unable to continue.

Ruhl put pressure on Mann for the lead immediately following the restart. Mann was able to hold Ruhl at bay for one lap until Ruhl successfully executed a side job on lap three to take the lead off of turn two. Two laps later Sauder moved past Mann into second. Then while Mann and Dustin Daggett were racing for third the duo made contact on the front stretch on lap six with Mann sliding to a stop and Daggett forced pit side with damage to his car. Both cars suffered too much damage to continue.

Ruhl motored away from Sauder during the restart. Ruhl maintained a sizeable advantage until encountering slower traffic on lap 11. With five laps to go Ruhl approached a slower car and drifted up the track in turns three and four, allowing Sauder to take the lead. Ruhl went for a while ride through the grass in turn one, somehow holding onto second spot.

Two laps later a scary incident took place when 69 year old Jim Lingar slammed head on into the water barrels in turn four. Amazingly Lingar exited the car under his own power and after a moment to collect his thoughts accepted a golf cart ride back to his pit area.

This setup a three lap dash to the finish. Ruhl took a couple of looks under Sauder, but using the top side of the race track Sauder kept up his momentum and went on to victory. Ruhl held on for second with Dalman, Chase Ridenour, and Kyle Pitts rounding out the top five.

Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by APR
Hartford Speedway
Hartford, MI
Friday September 4, 2015

Comp Cams / Lane Automotive Heat Race #1 (8 Laps): 1. 2M – Dustin Daggett, 2. 16 – Ryan Ruhl, 3. 23 – Joe Geibe, 4. 11R – Chase Ridenour, 5. 27 – Brad Lamberson, 6. 16B – Dakota Busche, 7. 22OZ – Aaron Shaffer, 8. 20A – Andy Chehowski, 9. 1A – Mark Aldrich.

Kistler Racing Products Heat Race #2 (8 Laps): 1. 83 – Kyle Sauder, 2. 19 – Brett Mann, 3. 19J – Linden Jones, 4. 49T – Gregg Dalman, 5. 4 – Craig Karazim, 6. 73 – Dustin Shriver, 7. 7K – Kyle Pitts, 8. 70 – Jim Lingar.

Engine Pro Feature: (20 Laps): 1. 83 – Kyle Sauder, 2. 16 – Ryan Ruhl, 3. 49T – Gregg Dalman, 4. 11R – Chase Ridenour, 5. 7K – Kyle Pitts, 6. 4 – Craig Karazim, 7. 73 – Dustin Shrive,r 8. 19J – Linden Jones, 9. 22OZ – Aaron Shaffer, 10. 1A – Mark Aldrich, 11. 20A – Andy Chehowski, 12. 16B – Dakota Busche, 13. 70 – Jim Lingar, 14. 27 – Brad Lamberson, 15. 2M – Dustin Daggett, 16. 19 – Brett Mann, 17. 23 – Joe Geibe.

Merritt, MI — (August 22, 2015) — Dan McCarron picked up his first career feature win in the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP feature Saturday night at Merritt Speedway.  Andy Teunessen jumped into an early lead from his 2nd place starting position while pole sitter, Brad Lamberson, retired early due to mechanical issues.  Teunessen maintained the lead until lap 18 when he got high coming out of turn four and Gregg Dalman was able to pass him for the lead.  In the meantime, McCarron had worked his way up to 3rd and was challenging the two front runners for the lead.  As the leaders were working through heavy lapped traffic, McCarron was able to slip by both Teunessen and Dalman on lap 20 to pick up the win.  Gregg Dalman, Andy Teunessen, Kyle Pitts, and Craig Karazim rounded out the top five.  Heat race winners for the field of 22 cars were Dan McCarron, Robert Huisken and Brad Lamberson.

Feature: 1. 22 – Dan McCarron, 2. 49T – Gregg Dalman, 3. 31 – Andy Teunessen, 4. 7K – Kyle Pitts, 5. 4 – Craig Karazim, 6. 46 – Robert Huisken, 7. 48 – Mike Burkin, 8. 19 – Brett Mann, 9. 77X – Alex Hill, 10. 1A –Mark Aldrich, 11. 23G – Joe Geibe, 12. 20A – Andy Chehowski, 13. 27X – Jared Lamberson, 14. 47 – Brian Smith, 15. 21T – Troy Chehowski, 16. 84 – Kyle Poortenga, 17. 24 – Eric Smith, 18. 89 – Chris Pobanz, 19. 16B – Dakota Busche, 20. 27 – Brad Lamberson.

Photo by RPM Graphix and Media

By Adrianna Irwin, Fenton, MI – (August 16, 2015)

Jared Delong, the pole sitter, jumped out to an early lead during the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP feature at Plymouth Speedway on Saturday. Racing came to a temporary stop on lap 3 when the 77 car driven by Zane DeVault hit the inside berm taking a nasty tumble on the front stretch. DeVault walked away from the crash, however, his car was too damaged to continue. The restart saw Delong maintain his lead until lap 5 when Phil Gressman in the 28H was able to round off Delong coming out of turn 4. The caution flew on lap 7 for Brad Lamberson in the 27 who slowed on the track. Lamberson retired due to mechanical issues. The field was pulled back when Gressman jumped the restart, putting the 10J of Jared Delong back into the first place position. Delong maintained the lead until lap 16 when the 28H of Phil Gressman was able to pass him. Gressman led the remaining 9 laps while Delong continued to challenge him for the first place position with Devon Dobie in the 23 running a close 3rd.

Comp Cams / Late Automotive Heat Race #1 (8 Laps): 1. 49 – Shawn Dancer, 2. 49T – Gregg Dalman, 3. 30A – Andy Chehowski, 4. 27J – Jared Lamberson, 5. 21T – Troy Chehowski, 6. 70 – Jim Lingar.

Kistler Racing Products Heat Race #2 (8 Laps): 1. 28H – Phil Gressman, 2. 10J Jared DeLong, 3. 11G – Luke Griffith, 4. 36A – Kevin Atkins, 5. 51 – Oscar Smith.

Allstar Performance / Engler Machine and Tool Heat Race #3 (8 Laps): 1. 27 – Brad Lamberson, 2. 7K – Kyle Pitts, 3. 23 – Devon Dobie, 4. 10 – Chris Jones, 5. 77 – Zane DeVault, 6. 23 – Jimmy Paige

Engine Pro Feature: 1. 28H – Phil Gressman, 2. 10J – Jared DeLong, 3. 23 – Devon Dobie, 4. 49 – Shawn Dancer, 5. 20A – Andy Chehowski, 6. 11G – Luke Griffith, 7. 36A – Kevin Atikins, 8. 19J – Linden Jones, 9. 49T – Gregg Dalman, 10. 27J – Jared Lamberson, 11. 21T – Troy Chehowski, 12. 23X – Jimmy Paige, 13. 7K – Kyle Pitts, 14. 27 – Brad Lamberson, 15. 24 – Eric Smith, 16. 77 – Zane DeVault, 17. 70 – Jim Lingar, 18. 16B – Dakota Busche.