Ryan Ruhl Rules Engine Pro SOD Nitro Black Mike Olrich Memorial at Crystal
Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP Nitro Black Mike Olrich Memorial Race trophy plate (TJ Buffenbarger photo)
Ryan Ruhl with the SOD Big Money
Ryan Ruhl with Mike’s children Joslyn, Taylor, and Josh
Ryan Ruhl dominated the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP Nitro Black Mike Olrich Memorial Race in support of Racing Awareness.com at Crystal Motor Speedway. The memorial race was the most prestigious event and final race of the Sprints On Dirt season, and the championship race of the MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge five-race mini-series.
Ruhl led all 30 laps of the non-stop feature in front of a very large and enthusiastic crowd. Friday’s SOD Hartford winner Chad Blonde took over 2nd on lap 15, but Ruhl had a full straightaway lead. Blonde was a tick faster than Ruhl the last few laps, but not enough to get close to the leader. Ruhl also won the 2015 Mike Olrich Memorial at Crystal.
Brian Smith drove a steady race to finish 6th and secure the 2016 Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP Championship, the MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge, and the 2016 RockAuto.com SOD Series Rookie of the Year.
Ruhl’s win was with a 360 cubic inch engine. One 305, three 360’s, and and six 410s in the top 10 cars.
Former lightning sprint standout Justin Ward nailed down the 2016 RockAuto.com SOD Sprint Car Rookie of the Year honoring the top first-time driver in a full-size sprint car.
RockAuto.com Rookies of the Year Brian Smith and Justin Ward
ARP MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge Feature
| # | Driver | Motor Size | Awards | Contingencies | |
| 1 | 16 | Ryan Ruhl | 360 | Rod End Supply | |
| 2 | 5B | Chad Blonde | 410 | KSE Hard Charger | Rod End Supply |
| 3 | 0 | Steve Irwin | 410 | Rod End Supply | |
| 4 | 19 | Brett Mann | 410 | Racing Optics | |
| 5 | 22M | Dan McCarron | 305 | ATL Racing Fuel Cells | |
| 6 | 2+ | Brian Smith | 410 | King Racing Products | |
| 7 | 17X | Dain Naida | 360 | ||
| 8 | 4T | Josh Turner | 410 | ||
| 9 | 1A | Mark Aldrich | 410 | Ti22 Draw Winner | |
| 10 | 46 | Robert Huisken | 360 | ||
| 11 | 10S | Jay Steinebach | 410 | ||
| 12 | 77X | Alex Hill | 360 | DMI Draw Winner | |
| 13 | 3A | Mike Astrauskas | 360 | ||
| 14 | 27X | Jared Lamberson | 360 | Engine Pro Lucky Dog | |
| 15 | 8 | Justin Ward | 410 | ||
| 16 | 81 | John Gall | 410 | ||
| 17 | 24 | Eric Smith | 360 | ||
| 18 | 6 | Tyler Bearden | 305 | ||
| 19 | 27 | Brad Lamberson | 360 | ||
| 20 | 89 | Chris Pobanz | 360 |
Fast Qualifier – Chad Blonde, 12.390
Engler Machine & Tool Heat $100 winner – Josh Turner (4T)
4T, 19, 16, 22M, 10S, 6, 91L
Lane Automotive Heat $100 winner – Dain Naida (17X)
17X, 2+, 27, 27X, 3A, 8, 89, 35
COMP Cams Heat $100 winner – Mark Aldrich (1A)
1A, 0, 5B, 46, 81, 77X, 24, 31
B-Main winner – Chris Pobanz (89)
89, 8, 6, 24, 35 (Mark Strpko), 91L (Lexi Adgate), 31 (Tanner Astrauskas), DNS – 57 (Tyler Fitzpatrick)
Kistler Racing Products Contingencies – Brett Mann, Steve Irwin
BR Motorsports Contingency – Ryan Ruhl
COMP Cams Contingency – Brian Smith
Allstar Performance Contingency – Brad Lamberson
Schoenfeld Headers – Chad Blonde
For general information about Racing Awareness, go here; on Facebook, search for RacingAwareness or @RacingAwareness; on Twitter and Instagram type @RacingAwareness. For specific inquiries about Racing Awareness, contact Jeff or Norm at talktous@racingawareness.com.
For more information about MAHLE/Clevite, go here. For more information about Engine Pro and Nitro Black, go to here. For more information about ARP, go here. The full 2016 Sprints on Dirt schedule, rules, current news, and other information are available here.
Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP is brought to you by many important sponsor partners including: Engine Pro (Title Sponsor), ARP (Title Sponsor), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official SOD Tire), MAHLE/Clevite (Beyond Limits Challenge Sponsor), Engine Pro (Lucky Dog Sponsor), Lane Automotive (Primary Heat Race Sponsor), Engler Machine & Tool (Primary Heat Race Sponsor), COMP Cams (Primary Heat Race Sponsor), RockAuto.com (SOD Series Rookie of the Year Sponsor & SOD Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Sponsor), XYZ Machining (Sportsman of the Year Sponsor & Crew Chief of the Year Sponsor), KSE Racing Products (Hard Charger Sponsor). In addition, SOD contingency sponsors include: ATL Racing Fuel Cells, Kistler Racing Products, Allstar Performance, Schoenfeld Headers, K2W Precision/Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Ti22 Performance, BR Motorsports, King Racing Products, License 2 Play, Maxim Racing, Simpson Racing Products, Rod End Supply, Diversified Machine Inc. (DMI), Racing Optics.