1

Big Hartford & Thunderbird Weekend On Tap for SOD

Wild Western MI Weekend

Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP is gearing up for a big weekend, kicking off the King Engine Bearings King of Michigan series at Hartford Speedway Friday, then the second race of the MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge Saturday at Thunderbird Raceway.

Dain Naida, Adrian, Michigan, has the early SOD point lead over brother-in-law Steve Irwin from Fenton, Michigan.  Sugar Land, Texas, transplant Thomas Schinderle, Berkley, Michigan, is third in points.  Schinderle leads The Perfit Corporation SOD series rookie of the year points.

Friday’s race at Hartford Speedway will be the first of SOD’s four-race King Engine Bearings King of Michigan series at the speedway.  The KoM includes its own point fund with $1,000 going to the champion.  SOD competitors can’t wait to get their first look at Hartford’s newly reconfigured 3/8 mile track.

Saturday’s race at Thunderbird Raceway will be the second race of the five-race 2017 MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge.  Unlike the King of Michigan series, the Beyond Limits Challenge will be contested at five different speedways.  Delta Ohio’s Shawn Valenti leads the BLC points over Joe Swanson, Etna Green, Indiana, and Landon Simon, Indianapolis, Indiana.  The BLC also includes its own point fund with $1,000 going to the champion.  The ¼ mile, nearly circular track, is a favorite of SOD competitors, producing excellent racing last season.

To learn more about Engine Pro, go to www.enginepro.com.  For more information about ARP, go to www.arp-bolts.com.  For complete information about all 2017 SOD events, follow SOD at www.sprintsondirt.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sprintsondirt.

Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP is brought to you in 2017 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), Driven Racing Oil (Battlegrounds Bash Sponsor), King Engine Bearings (King of Michigan Sponsor), Lane Automotive (Fast Masters Sponsor), MSD Ignition (Fast Masters Sponsor), Engler Machine & Tool (Primary Heat Race Sponsor), COMP Cams (Primary Heat Race Sponsor), RockAuto.com (Primary Heat Race Sponsor), The Perfit Corporation (Lucky Dog Sponsor), KSE Racing Products (Hard Charger Sponsor), and XYZ Machining (Season Sportman & Crew Chief Sponsor).  In addition, SOD contingency sponsors include: Allstar Performance, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, BR Motorsports, Diversified Machine Inc. (DMI), Hepfner Racing Products (HRP), K2W Precision/Keizer Aluminum Wheels, King Racing Products, Kistler Racing Products, Maxim Racing, Motor City Racing Promotions, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, Schoenfeld Headers, Simpson Racing Products, Walker Performance Filtration.




Ryan Ruhl Takes NUVU Fuels Dual On Dirt SOD Jim Coffey & Son Dirty 30

Big MoneyPhoto by Thomas Michael

On a night when rain was a persistent threat, Ryan Ruhl drove to the win in the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP Jim Coffey & Son Plumbing & Heating Dirty 30 portion of the NUVU Fuels Dual On Dirt.  Ruhl mastered the 26 car field by being the fastest overall qualifier, dominating the Engler heat, and taking home the SOD Big Money check of $2,000 for winning the feature.

Although rain wiped out several other Michigan race events, it didn’t stop I-96 Speedway’s near-capacity crowd from the rare opportunity to see two headline classes, the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP and the American Ethanol Late Model Tour in one event.  The show was a real crowd pleaser as light rain fell for hours during the program, but never enough to stop the action.

Ruhl, in his familiar blue #16, showed his strength early, being the Lane Automotive/MSD Ignition Fast Master in the Engler Machine & Tool Heat group.  He then drove from his 4th place heat race starting position to an easy win.  Not to be outdone, Chad Blonde showed his strength by taking the COMP Cams heat.  Steve Irwin took the RockAuto.com heat from 3rd.

Eric Smith suffered mechanical woes early in the program as did Brad Lamberson and Thomas Schinderle keeping them out of competition.

Jay Steinebach overcame heat problems to take the B-Main from his 6th place starting position.

Gregg Dalman took the early lead in the feature over pole sitter Chris Jones.  By lap 6, Chad Blonde was on the move taking 2nd and setting sail after Dalman.  Blonde took the lead on lap 12 and looked like the car to beat.  Dain Naida spun off of turn four on lap 15 just after moving into the top 5 from 10th.  At half way it was Blonde, Dalman, Ruhl, Boston Mead, and Joe Swanson.  Two laps later, Chris Jones race ending when he flipped off the back straight. A lap later, Ruhl, who started 9th, snatched the lead from Blonde. Brett Mann spun in turn 4 on the next lap and rookie Andrew Scheid was collected by Mann and flipped hard, ending a frustrating night for him.  After refueling during the red for Scheid, Steve Irwin, who was in 4th, dropped out with engine problems.  Back under green, Ruhl charged to win with Blonde staying within striking distance, but not able to mount a serious challenge.

Qualifying – Lane Automotive/MSD Ignition Fast Masters (fast qualifiers) $50 each

Group Time # Driver
Engler Machine & Tool Heat 14.045 16 Ryan Ruhl
COMP Cams Heat 14.387 5b Chad Blonde
RockAuto.com Heat 14.234 7J Joe Swanson

Heat Races – Winners $100 each

Engler Machine & Tool Heat #1
  # Driver Contingency
1 16 Ryan Ruhl
2 71H Ryan Grubaugh Kistler Racing Products
3 49t Gregg Dalman Racing Optics
4 17X Dain Naida
5 19 Brett Mann
6 27X Jared Lamberson
7 91L Lexi Adgate
8 6 Tyler Bearden
9 24 Eric Smith (DNS)

 

COMP Cams Heat #2
  # Driver Contingency
1 5b Chad Blonde
2 11 Trey Smith
3 10j Chris Jones Allstar Performance
4 18 DJ Lamance Racing Optics
5 1a Mark Aldrich
6 20A Andy Chehowski
7 58 Tony Bures
8 17 Dustin Carl
9 27 Brad Lamberson (DNS)

 

RockAuto.com Heat #3
  # Driver Contingency
1 0 Steve Irwin
2 27B Boston Mead Kistler Racing Products
3 7J Joe Swanson Racing Optics
4 46 Robert Huisken
5 8 Justin Ward
6 77 Andrew Scheid
7 10S Jay Steinebach
8 41 Thomas Schinderle (DNS)

B-Main

  # Driver
1 10S Jay Steinebach
2 20A Andy Chehowski
3 91L Lexi Adgate
4 77 Andrew Scheid
5 17 Dustin Carl
6 58 Tony Bures
7 27X Jared Lamberson
8 6 Tyler Bearden

Feature

  # Driver Awards Contingencies
1 16 Ryan Ruhl Rod End Supply
2 5b Chad Blonde Rod End Supply
3 49t Gregg Dalman Rod End Supply
4 27B Boston Mead Schoenfeld Headers
5 7J Joe Swanson ATL Racing Fuel Cells
6 17X Dain Naida
7 71H Ryan Grubaugh Allstar Performance
8 19 Brett Mann
9 10S Jay Steinebach King Racing Products
10 1a Mark Aldrich
11 18 DJ Lamance Keizer Aluminum Wheels
12 20A Andy Chehowski
13 46 Robert Huisken
14 17 Dustin Carl
15 91L Lexi Adgate
16 0 Steve Irwin
17 8 Justin Ward
18 11 Trey Smith
19 77 Andrew Scheid
20 10j Chris Jones

KSE Racing Products Hard Charger – Ryan Ruhl (8)
BR Motorsports Contingency (feature top 10 draw) – Jay Steinebach
DMI (Diversified Machine) Contingency (feature 12-16 draw) – Andy Chehowski
Perfit Corporation Lucky Dog – Steve Irwin

For more information about Engine Pro go to www.enginepro.com.  For more information about ARP, go to www.arp-bolts.com.  The full 2017 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 in 2017 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), Driven Racing Oil (Battlegrounds Bash Sponsor), King Engine Bearings (King of Michigan Sponsor), Lane Automotive/MSD Ignition (Fast Masters Sponsor), Engler Machine & Tool (Heat Race Sponsor), COMP Cams (Heat Race Sponsor), RockAuto.com (Heat Race Sponsor), The Perfit Corporation (Lucky Dog Sponsor), KSE Racing Products, and XYZ Machining.  In addition, SOD contingency sponsors include: Allstar Performance, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, BR Motorsports, Diversified Machine Inc. (DMI), K2W Precision/Keizer Aluminum Wheels, King Racing Products, Kistler Racing Products, Maxim Racing, Motor City Racing Promotions, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, Schoenfeld Headers, Simpson Racing Products, Walker Performance Filtration.




Race Day – Friday, May 26th, 2017 – I-96 Speedway (MI)

Today (Friday, May 26th) is Race Day! The Inaugural NUVU Fuels Dual On Dirt is at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan featuring the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP & American Ethanol Late Model Tour together in one gigantic show.

The Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP will be making their one and only appearance in 2017 at I-96. One season ago, Max Stambaugh, now a Rookie of the Year title contender with the Arctic Car All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars, went to victory lane. in 2015, it was Ryan Ruhl, the 2007 SOD Rookie of the Year and five-time SOD Champion, Dustin Daggett taking the checkered flags first. This event is the 86th all-time appearance by SOD at the Lake Odessa, Michigan speed plant.

 

Schedule of Events – Friday, May 26th, 2017 – I-96 Speedway – Lake Odessa, Michigan
2:00p.m.   Pit Gates Open – SOD & AELMT Pill Draw Open
5:00p.m.   Grandstands Open – SOD & AELMT Pill Draw Close
5:15p.m.   SOD & AELMT Drivers Meeting
5:30p.m.   SOD Engine Heat (on-track)

6:00p.m.   AELMT Hot Laps
SOD Hot Laps
AELMT Qualifying
SOD Qualifying (single car by heat order)

7:55p.m.   Pre-Race Ceremonies
8:00p.m.   AELMT Heat Races (10)
SOD Heat Races (8)
Redraw (on front straight)
AELMT Last Chance Race(s) (12-15)
SOD Last Chance Race(s) (10)

Intermission

AELMT B-Main (20)
SOD A-Main (30)
AELMT A-Main (40)

Click on the link provided for more event information: DualOnDirt.com

Click on the link provided to follow live timing and scoring, via MCRP & Race Monitor:
motorcityracing.co/livetiming

Follow SOD on Twitter with exclusive live updates for the Sprints throughout Race Day at: Twitter.com/SprintsOnDirt

Like SOD on Facebook for pictures and more from behind the scenes throughout Race Day at: Facebook.com/SprintsOnDirt




Quick Facts about Historic Baer Field Motorsports Park SOD Race

After being rained out Saturday, Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP headlined the first-ever race on Fort Wayne, Indian’s Baer Field Motorsports Park new dirt track on Sunday night for the first race of SOD’s MAHLE/Clevite Beyond KLimits Challenge five-race series.  Numerous facts about the event make it a truly historical event for both Baer Field Motorsports Park and Sprints On Dirt.

 

New ¼ mile trrack
The track crew put out a massive effort to make sure the Sunday race could take place.  Several inches of rain resulted in the track being referred to as “Baer Lake” Sunday morning, then more rain came.  The infield was pumped out and against all odds, the track was prepped for racing.  Promoter Dave Muzzillo could have easily thrown in the towel, but was determined to get the race in.

 

Andrew Scheid

Andrew ScheidThirteen-year-old Andrew Scheid, SOD sprint car rookie of the year contender, raced a full-size sprint for the first time and drew many compliments.  After qualifying seventh in his heat group, Scheid finished last in his heat.  He then grabbed a fourth in the B Main to advance to the feature where he finished eighteenth, dropping out early in consideration of the fast field.  Andrew dodged a few incidents that developed in front of him.  He even executed a successful 360 degree spin to avoid a car that had spun to a stop in front of him.

Scheid has extensive racing experience and numerous wins in karts and lightning sprints.

 

Diverse field
The SOD “beyond limits” format continues to have broad appeal for race teams from many segments of sprint car racing.

Winner Valenti and Dan McCarron are currently regulars in the 410 class at Attica Raceway Park and Fremont Speedway.  Valenti has has had great success in thunderstocks and dirt trucks in Ohio and Indiana.

2nd-place finisher Joe Swanson, 5th place Steve Irwin, and 6th place Brad Wyatt have had success in winged sprint pavement racing.  Irwin has won pavement championships and #71H car owner Steve Smith has also won pavement championships as an owner.

3rd place Landon Simon is a successful USAC competitor who ran his first winged sprint race Sunday.  Irwin and Wyatt also have extensive non-wing experience.

4th place Thomas Schinderle previously raced modifieds, then was a regular in the Attica/Fremont FAST 305 class.

 

Matt Prieur

Matt Prieur & Shawn ValentiSOD rookie announcer Matt Prieur got his first SOD race in Sunday.  The former World of Outlaws late model announcer is also the announcer for the American Ethanol Late Model Tour, the American Ethanol Modified Tour, and occasional pavement races.

Prieur has been a hockey referee for 24 years.  He has also been the color commentator for an Ontario Hockey League game.

Prieur has been announcing since 1989.

 

MCRP/SOD Safety Crew

MCRP-SOD safety truckSOD competitors got their first look at the MCRP safety crew.  They were quick to assist in any on-track incidents.

 

For more information about Engine Pro go to www.enginepro.com.  For more information about ARP, go to www.arp-bolts.com.

Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP is brought to you in 2017 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), Driven Racing Oil (Battlegrounds Bash Sponsor), King Engine Bearings (King of Michigan Sponsor), Lane Automotive/MSD Ignition (Fast Masters Sponsor), Engler Machine & Tool (Heat Race Sponsor), COMP Cams (Heat Race Sponsor), RockAuto.com (Heat Race Sponsor), The Perfit Corporation (Lucky Dog Sponsor), KSE Racing Products, and XYZ Machining.  In addition, SOD contingency sponsors include: Allstar Performance, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, BR Motorsports, Diversified Machine Inc. (DMI), K2W Precision/Keizer Aluminum Wheels, King Racing Products, Kistler Racing Products, Maxim Racing, Motor City Racing Promotions, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, Schoenfeld Headers, Simpson Racing Products, Walker Performance Filtration.

 

 




Shawn Valenti Wins First Career Sprints On Dirt Feature At Baer Field Motorsports Park

ScreenHunter_421 May. 21 22.58

Fostoria, Ohio driver, Shawn Valenti would led all 30 laps of the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge Race #1 at Baer Field Motorsports Park to score his first career SOD victory.

The first race on the Baer Field Motorsports Park new ¼ mile track was originally scheduled for Saturday.  Unfortunately very heavy rains turned the track into something referred to as “Baer Lake,” but promoter Dave Muzzillo didn’t give up and surprisingly was able to get the track in shape for the Sunday rain date.

Mark Aldrich, Brett Mann, and Thomas Schinderle were Lane Automotive/MSD Ignition Fast Masters for their respective heats.  Landon Simon won the Engler Machine & Tool heat after a lap one flip by Greg Wheeler that ended his night early.  Brett Mann won the COMP Cams heat, and Dain Naida won the RockAuto.com heat.  Dan McCarron took the win in the B-Main.  2015 SOD Champion Gregg Dalman encountered mechanical problems and was unable to resolve them at the track.

Four laps into the feature, Mark Aldrich and Brett Mann came together between turns 1 and 2, ending their night.  Due to an extended red period, the field was allowed to add fuel.

31-year-old Valenti, in his Log Cabin Tavern / Triple X Chassis entry, held off consistent challenges from former pavement sprint winner at Baer Field, Joe Swanson to take home the win.  Swanson settled for 2nd as USAC Racing National Sprint Car Series regular, Landon Simon was third over RockAuto.com heat race Fast Master and series rookie of the year contender Thomas Schinderle who finished 4th, while 2001 SOD Champion, Stevie Irwin completed the top five.

Qualifying – Lane Automotive/MSD Ignition Fast Masters (fast qualifiers) $50 each

Group Time # Driver
Engler Machine & Tool Heat 13.784 1a Mark Aldrich
COMP Cams Heat 13.716 16B Brett Mann
RockAuto.com Heat 13.537 41 Thomas Schinderle

Heat Races – Winners $100 each

Engler Machine & Tool Heat #1
  # Driver Contingency
1 24 Landon Simon
2 7J Joe Swanson Kistler Racing Products
3 10J Chris Jones Racing Optics
4 1a Mark Aldrich
5 47 Robert Bulloch
6 58 Tony Bures
7 20A Andy Chehowskli
8 48 Greg Wheeler

 

COMP Cams Heat #2
  # Driver Contingency
1 16B Brett Mann
2 7 Shawn Valenti Allstar Performance
3 0 Steve Irwin Racing Optics
4 46 Robert Huisken
5 21T Troy Chehowski
6 10S Jay Steinebach
7 6 Tyler Bearden
8 57 Tyler Fitzpatrick

 

RockAuto.com Heat #3
  # Driver Contingency
1 17x Dain Naida
2 0W Brad Wyatt Kistler Racing Products
3 41 Thomas Schinderle Racing Optics
4 71H Ryan Ruhl
5 2 Ricky Peterson
6 22M Dan Mccarron
7 19J Linden Jones
8 77 Andrew Scheid

B-Main

  # Driver
1 22m Dan McCarron
2 10S Jay Steinebach
3 20A Andy Chehowski
4 77 Andrew Scheid
5 6 Tyler Bearden
6 19J Linden Jones
7 57 Tyler Fitzpatrick
8 58 Tony Bures

Feature

  # Driver Contingencies
1 7 Shawn Valenti Rod End Supply
2 7J Joe Swanson Rod End Supply
3 24 Landon Simon Rod End Supply
4 41 Thomas Schinderle Schoenfeld Headers
5 0 Steve Irwin ATL Racing Fuel Cells
6 0W Brad Wyatt
7 17x Dain Naida Allstar Performance
8 10J Chris Jones
9 71H Ryan Ruhl King Racing Products
10 22m Dan Mccarron
11 46 Robert Huisken Keizer Aluminum Wheels
12 2 Ricky Peterson
13 20A Andy Chehowski
14 10S Jay Steinebach
15 47 Robert Bulloch
16 21T Troy Chehowski
17 6 Tyler Bearden
18 77 Andrew Scheid
19 16B Brett Mann
20 1a Mark Aldrich

baerfieldresults

KSE Racing Products Hard Charger – Dan McCarron
BR Motorsports Contingency (feature top 10 draw) – Joe Swanson
DMI (Diversified Machine) Contingency (feature 12-16 draw) – Robert Bulloch
Perfit Corporation Lucky Dog – Robert Huisken

For more information about Engine Pro go to www.enginepro.com.  For more information about ARP, go to www.arp-bolts.com.  The full 2017 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 in 2017 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), Driven Racing Oil (Battlegrounds Bash Sponsor), King Engine Bearings (King of Michigan Sponsor), Lane Automotive/MSD Ignition (Fast Masters Sponsor), Engler Machine & Tool (Heat Race Sponsor), COMP Cams (Heat Race Sponsor), RockAuto.com (Heat Race Sponsor), The Perfit Corporation (Lucky Dog Sponsor), KSE Racing Products, and XYZ Machining.  In addition, SOD contingency sponsors include: Allstar Performance, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, BR Motorsports, Diversified Machine Inc. (DMI), K2W Precision/Keizer Aluminum Wheels, King Racing Products, Kistler Racing Products, Maxim Racing, Motor City Racing Promotions, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, Schoenfeld Headers, Simpson Racing Products, Walker Performance Filtration