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 2^nd 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 6^th 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

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.

ERIE, MI (September 5, 2016) – Veteran Michigan sprint car star Chad Blonde drove his Sean Robinson owned 5B to victory from his 8^th place starting position over 10^th place starter Ryan Ruhl and 9^th place starter Steve Irwin to win the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge feature at Hartford Speedway last night.  The huge crowd saw a wild show with great racing on the 2016 Sprint On Dirt spec tire from Hoosier Racing Tire.

Linden Jones and John Gall led the start of the 20-lap feature with Gall jumping into the lead for the first 2 laps before Jones took over for laps 3-4.  On lap 4, SOD points leader Brian Smith escaped disaster when Joe Swanson climbed up his left rear going into turn one bringing out the race’s only caution. Both cars sustained damage, but restarted after repairs in the pits.  Early leaders John Gall, Linden Jones, and Mark Aldrich, as well as SOD Hartford May winner Ryan Ruhl proved to be no match for Blonde who drove away and finished with a commanding lead over Ryan Ruhl and Steve Irwin.  Blonde’s victory was his first appearance with SOD in several years, and he found the highly-acclaimed 2016 SOD spec Hoosier tires to his liking.

Robert Bulloch suffered a mechanical failure in his Kirkendall 7K that sent him hard into the water barrels in turn four in the first heat.  His car was launched high into the air upon impact and although the car was destroyed, Bulloch was eventually cleared by the track medical crew.  The proper installation of the car’s seat and belts prevented potentially serious injuries in this high-speed, heavy-impact crash.

ARP MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge Feature

COMP Cams $100 Fast Qualifier
Joe Swanson (7) – 16.803

Engler Machine & Tool Heat $100 winner – Brian Smith (2+)
2+, 7, 0, 1A, 19J, 46, 91L, 23

Lane Automotive Heat $100 winner – Ryan Tuhl (16)
16, 5B, 4T, 27K, 81, 7K, 8, 24, 57

Kistler Racing Products Contingency – Joe Swanson
BR Motorsports Contingency – Steve Irwin
COMP Cams Contingency – Chad Blonde
Allstar Performance Contingency – Josh Turner

MAHLE Aftermarket technology can make the difference in your vehicles today.  The highly acclaimed MAHLE/Clevite is an American brand with one of the oldest pedigrees and supplies pistons, assemblies, cylinder liners, bearings and valves for American commercial vehicles as well as construction and agricultural equipment applications. For more information about MAHLE/Clevite, click here.

For more information about Engine Pro, click here.  For more information about ARP, click here.  The full 2016 Sprints on Dirt schedule, rules, current news, and other information are available at www.sprintsondirt.com.

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

This weekend is the much anticipated season-finale weekend for the unlimited sprint cars of the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP at Hartford Speedway and Crystal Motor Speedway.

This Friday, September 2^nd, SOD rolls into Hartford Speedway for the last time in 2016.  On May 20^th, the SOD season opened at Hartford Speedway after two rain outs at Crystal Motor Speedway.  It was Hartford’s first race of the season on the widened track and SOD’s first race under the new, unlimited sprint format. With all the wild rumors and predictions that nothing but a 410 cubic inch motor could win under the new SOD rules, everyone was watching.  Ryan Ruhl quickly shattered the 410 myth by dominating the feature in his 360 on SOD’s biggest, fastest speedway.  Brian Smith, running a twenty year old 410 that has no horsepower advantage over current top-line 360s ran a solid second.  The new SOD Hoosier spec tires performed flawlessly, as they have all season, and competitors were very comfortable on them.

Friday’s race is the fourth in the five-race Beyond Limits Challenge mini-series presented by MAHLE/Clevite.  Current SOD points leader Brian Smith is also the BLC points leader over Steve Irwin, Mark Aldrich, Brett Mann, John Gall, Bill Jacoby, and Eric Smith.

The final race of the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP takes place Saturday, September 3^rd at Crystal Motor Speedway where SOD has raced every year since its first season in 1980.  This is the biggest, most prestigious race of the season, the Nitro Black Mike Olrich Memorial Race in support of Racing Awareness.com.  As if that wasn’t enough, it will also be the last race of the MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge.

The 30 lap Nitro Black Mike Olrich Memorial Race in support of Racing Awareness.com will pay $2,000 to win and $400 to start.  Heat races will pay $100 to win and $1,500 in sponsor contingencies will be distributed to competitors.

Mike Olrich is a former Sprints On Dirt official and series director who was very congenial and well-liked by everyone in the series.  Professionally, Mike was a greenhouse researcher at Michigan State University.  His work lives on through a complex computer-based tool that he co-authored that provides assistance to flower growers in production scheduling.  Mike was a dedicated family man who always found time to be deeply involved coaching youth sports.  Michael Steven Olrich, passed away suddenly August 3, 2013, at the age of 43.  SOD continues to operate with the honesty and integrity Mike was known for, and honors him every year with the Mike Olrich Memorial Race.

2015 Mike Olrich Memorial winner Ryan Ruhl with Mike’s daughters Joslyn and Taylor

Engine Pro’s line of Nitro Black products is the 2016 title sponsor of the Mike Olrich Memorial Race.  Nitro Black is the designation reserved by Engine Pro for its premium high-end performance products.  Many Nitro Black products incorporate technologies only available in the most advance performance products available.  To learn more about Nitro Black products, click here.

Engine Pro/Nitro Black is taking the opportunity to promote the efforts of Racing Awareness through the memorial race. Engine Pro’s entire VIP admission of fifty guests has been donated to the charity through the cooperation and generosity Crystal Motor Speedway owner and promoter Ron Flinn.

RacingAwareness.com and Racing Awareness Inc. are two separate entities that were created with the sole intent of providing children and their families from Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, of West Michigan, who are experiencing or have experienced an illness or injury of a child, a diversion from the healthcare process utilizing the sport of auto racing.  To date Racing Awareness has raised over $300,000.  Distribution of VIP race vouchers will be through the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.  To learn more about RacingAwareness.com and Racing Awareness Inc., click here.  To learn more about Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, click here.

The Nitro Black Mike Olrich Memorial Race will determine the 2016 MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge champion.  Brian Smith currently holds a 49 point lead over Steve Irwin in BLC points.  The top 16 drivers still have a mathematical chance of winning the championship.

MAHLE Aftermarket technology can make the difference in your vehicles today.  The highly acclaimed MAHLE/Clevite is an American brand with one of the oldest pedigrees and supplies pistons, assemblies, cylinder liners, bearings and valves for American commercial vehicles as well as construction and agricultural equipment applications. For more information about MAHLE/Clevite, click here.

Last but not least, this weekend’s action will determine the 2016 Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP champion.  Brian Smith has a 91 point lead over Steve Irwin followed by Mark Aldrich, John Gall, and Brett Mann.  Only Irwin, Aldrich, and Gall have a mathematical chance at the championship.

For more information about Engine Pro, click here.  For more information about ARP, click here.  The full 2016 Sprints on Dirt schedule, rules, current news, and other information are available at www.sprintsondirt.com.

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

Racing Awareness associates and families are invited as guests of Engine Pro and Crystal Motor Speedway to the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP Nitro Black Mike Olrich Memorial Race on Saturday, September 3rd.  The memorial race is not only the most prestigious event and final race of the Sprints On Dirt season, but also the championship race of the Beyond Limits Challenge five-race mini-series sponsored by MAHLE/Clevite.

RacingAwareness.com and Racing Awareness Inc. are two separate entities that were created with the sole intent of providing children and their families from Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, of West Michigan, who are experiencing or have experienced an illness or injury of a child, a diversion from the healthcare process utilizing the sport of auto racing.

Racing Awareness strives to provide joy and hope to these children and their families.  In addition, both Racing Awareness Inc. and RacingAwareness.com have aspired to raise funds and awareness and share education about Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and the nationally recognized resources it offers to the community. This is achieved through various initiatives including fundraisers, public expo appearances and special events as well as public and private donations.  To date Racing Awareness has raised over $300,000.

Over the past six years, several thousand patients, families and staff associated with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital have visited speedways on behalf of Racing Awareness.  Lexi Adgate was one of the original kids that Racing Awareness “adopted.”  Lexi is now a Sprints On Dirt competitor and will racing at Crystal during the memorial race.

                    
Lexi Adgate, one of the original Racing Awareness kids.

For general information about Racing Awareness, go to https://racingawareness.com; 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 to https://catalog.mahle-aftermarket.com/eu/home/index.xhtml?l=EN.  For more information about Engine Pro, go to www.enginepro.com.  For more information about ARP, go to www.arp-bolts.com.  The full 2016 Sprints on Dirt schedule, rules, current news, and other information are available at www.sprintsondirt.com.

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, Simpson Racing Products, Rod End Supply, Diversified Machine Inc. (DMI), Racing Optics.