Wayne Landon with wife Ruth Landon and long-time friend Rose Calabrase

At each Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP event, SOD gives a 24” x 24” sign of the SOD logo autographed by all drivers to one carefully selected recipient.  Referred to as “We are SOD,” to sign was originally intended to be given away through a drawing.  It was decided, though, not to give it to someone who was lucky enough to win a drawing, but to some who is perhaps not so lucky.  While We are SOD has very little monetary value, we hope that it is priceless in the hearts of its recipients.

Up until our August 19^th SOD show at I-96 Speedway, We are SOD has been awarded to young recipients, but thanks to a suggestion from Mike Mouch and I-96 Speedway, it went to someone just a little older, Wayne Landon who was born in 1931.

It is a safe bet that many people do not know who Wayne is, but if you have been around open wheel racing in Michigan long enough, you know him.  Wayne has over 300 feature wins, at least 15 championships, and has raced at over 50 different tracks in the US and Canada.  Wayne is a member of the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame.  Please take the time to read Wayne’s MMSHoF biography at http://www.mmshof.org/inductees/wayne-landon/.

Wayne’s story is much bigger and more tragic than is normally seen in a racing family.  About fifty-seven years ago it was Wayne who was racing when a wheel flew off his car and into the stands, killing his young daughter, Rita.  Thirty-seven years ago, his second son, Terry, was killed in a highway crash. Then, in 1989, Wayne Landon and his wife Ruth were in the stands at Kalamazoo Speedway and saw the crash that caused the death of their oldest son Jerry.  Jerry was racing a mini-champ car when the car in front of him spun out of control, clipped his car and sent it flying head-on into a retaining wall.  You can read the report of Jerry’s death at http://articles.latimes.com/1989-05-02/sports/sp-2547_1_mel-kenyon-tragedy-hits-racing-family-veteran-race-driver.

Wayne has been a major player in Michigan oval track racing, and who could be more deserving of receiving We are SOD.  SOD is proud to honor Wayne Landon as one of our own.

IONIA, MI (August 20, 2016) – Mad Max Stambaugh won the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan.

Stambaugh charged to the lead from his outside front row starting position over pole starter Brian Smith and never looked back as he set a torrid pace on the superbly prepared track. Brad Lamberson, in the Melling Performance Parts, Smith Motorsport #71H, charged past Smith to take over 2nd and had plenty of speed, but Stambaugh had built up a straightaway lead. The race ran caution free until disaster struck on lap 22 when Lamberson, John Gall, and Doug Zimmerman all flipped violently at the entry of turn three. All three cars were destroyed, but after the track safety crew meticulously evaluated the drivers, all were cleared. Back under green, the 25 lapper was quickly completed.

Mark Aldrich suffered a cut right rear tire while lining up for the feature and had to go to the work area and change the tire. As a result, he had to start last in the feature and charged to a 4th place finish.

MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge Feature

Top Five Qualifiers.
1. Doug Zimmerman (19Z) – 14.320
2. Brad Lamberson (71H) – 14.445
3. Max Stambaugh (5M) – 14.494
4. Brian Smith (2+) – 14.850
5. Andy Chehowski (20A) – 14.933.

Engler Machine & Tool Heat winner – Max Stambaugh
5M, 2+, 1a, 19Z, 3, 35, 10s

Lane Automotive Heat winner – Brad Lamberson
71H, 19, 20A, 81, 44J, 91L

COMP Cams Heat winner – Steve Irwin
0,  7K, 46,18, 8. 1 (DNS)

Kistler Racing Products Contingencies – Brian Smith, Robert Bulloch
BR Motorsports Contingency – Mark Aldrich
COMP Cams Contingency – Brett Mann
Allstar Performance Contingency – Andy Chehowski
Schoenfeld Headers Contingency – Robert Huisken

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.

Doug Zimmerman photo by Kimber Cramer.

In spite of nearby rain and surrounded by threatening weather, the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt by ARP Butler Bash ACL Race Series High Performance Engine Bearing drew a full field of competitors and thrilled fans with a typically exciting SOD program.  The feature line up was led by a couple drivers who likely have the most combined win and championships in the Butler Speedway sprint division, Doug Zimmerman and Ken Mackey. Making them more formidable was the fact that Mackey won the regular Butler show last week and Zimmerman finished second.

Mackey jumped into the lead at the start and held a narrow margin over Zimmerman for two laps until Zimmerman made a turn four pass to take the top spot and begin to pull away.  While Zimmerman was flying in his customary high groove, Mackey tried to find a quicker line.  Mackey’s night ended a few laps later when he pulled to the infield with mechanical woes.

Zimmerman was flying high and opening a full straightaway lead as seventh place starter Ryan Ruhl suddenly was in second and when Zimmerman slipped of the top of three and four, Ruhl jumped into the lead as Zimmerman lost several positions.  Now Ruhl appeared to be in command, holding a several car length lead over Zimmerman who had worked his way back up to second.  Then, on lap twenty, the caution flew for the first time due to debris on the track.  The ensuing restart had Zimmerman right on Ruhl’s rear bump, and on lap twenty-three Ruhl slipped high in turn two, allowing Zimmerman to pull even with his. As the leaders charged through three and four, they touched and Ruhl spun to a stop off of turn four.  Ruhl was able to restart at the rear, but Zimmerman drove off to the impressive SOD Butler Bash ACL Race Series Bearings feature win and the $1,700 SOD / ACL Bearings / Steve Smith & Robert Flannigan Big Money check.

As has been the norm in every SOD show under the new, beyond limits package on SOD’s Hoosier spec tires, close competitive racing and few cautions highlighted the racing.

ACL Race Series High Performance Engine Bearings Feature

Fast Qualifier – Doug Zimmerman, 13.074

Engler Machine & Tool Heat winner – Brett Mann
19, 19Z, 1a, 21T, 2+, 8, 14, 6

Lane Automotive Heat winner – Ryan Ruhl
16, 0, 25m, 7, 71H, 7k, 1, 10S

COMP Cams Heat winner – Josh Turner
4, 27, 20A, 35, 81, 91L, 52, 12 (DNS)

B Main winner – Robert Bulloch
7k, 8, 14, 52, 1, 91L, 12, 10S, 6 (DNS)

Kistler Racing Products Contingencies – Doug Zimmerman, Shelby Bilton
BR Motorsports Contingency – Mark Aldrich
COMP Cams Contingency – Steve Irwin
Allstar Performance Contingency – Ken Mackey
Schoenfeld Headers Contingency – Andy Chehowski

To learn more about ACL Race Series Performance Engine Bearings, go to http://www.aclraceseries.com/ 

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, driver member form, news, and other information can be read 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.

This Saturday is the highly anticipated return of the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP to Butler Speedway for the Butler Bash presented by ACL Race Series Engine Bearings.  People are still talking about the SOD show at Butler on May 21 that was highlighted by the largest sprint car field of the year at Butler and a dramatic finish line pass for the win by SOD point leader Brian Smith over former Butler champion Doug Zimmerman.

With all the anticipation, who has the most to prove?  Is it Smith who wants to prove the win was no fluke and the only question should be why he didn’t take the lead sooner?  Or is it Doug Zimmerman who will be out to prove that the only reason he didn’t win was that he was maybe a little over-confident?

Maybe it is Steve Irwin, second in SOD points, who finally overcame struggles with the wings to win the last SOD show at Crystal on July 16.  Could be Fremont, Ohio’s Dustin Stroup or Fostoria, Ohio’s Shawn Valenti who finished second and third at Crystal.

How about Butler point leader Shelby Bilton who can prove he isn’t intimidated by SOD’s or Butler’s best.  Or will it be senior citizen Ken Mackey who won at Butler last week?

Don’t forget veterans Mark Aldrich, third in SOD points, and John Gall, fourth in SOD points, who both have countless laps with both SOD and Butler.  We certainly can’t forget SOD’s Brad Lamberson who already has a win and a second at Butler this year.

What about 305 cubic inchers Tom Schinderle and Dan McCarron?  They are out to prove that bigger isn’t necessarily better, giving away 105 cubic inches to the big dogs.  Schinderle has a second and third and McCarron has three top fives in SOD competition this season

Or is there someone else lurking in the shadows with something to prove and is ready to pounce?  So who is going to be the 2016 Sprints On Dirt Butler Speedway ACL Bash Master?  We will know Saturday night.

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.

ACL Race Series Performance Engine Bearings presents the Butler Bash Sprints On Dirt
with UMP Modifieds, Street Stocks, and Front Wheel Drives

Admission: Adults $15.00, Seniors $12.00, Kids $7.00
Pit Passes $25.00

Camping for the weekend is $25.00.  The band Flyte will be playing both nights of the Butler Bash.

This will be the second appearance of the unlimited SOD sprints at Butler this season. Brian Smith won the first show with an exciting finish-line pass of Doug Zimmerman on May 21.

ACL Race Series Performance Engine Bearings will be the SOD feature sponsor for the Bash.  Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, ACL Race Series Performance Engine Bearings are recognized as a premier brand throughout the motorsports world. Race Series rod and main bearings are standard components in race engines that have set records and won championships from Mexico to Bonneville. They are used extensively in the US. and Canada and are the overwhelming choice of racers and engine builders worldwide. The unique combination of design, metallurgy and engineering provides Race Series performance bearings with the endurance and capability to perform where others cannot. These exceptional bearings are available for a variety of American, Asian and European performance engines.

To learn more about ACL Race Series Performance Engine Bearings, go to http://www.aclraceseries.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.