Everyone at Sprints on Dirt and Plymouth Speedway extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the family of Kevin Ward, Jr. and thoughts and prayers to Tony Stewart and his family. Tony Stewart will NOT be racing at Plymouth Speedway this Saturday. More information on the weekend’s racing will be announced this week.
By T.J. Buffenbarger
Merritt, MI — (August 2, 2014) – Dustin Daggett made an opening lap move pay off on his way to victory on Saturday night at Merrit Speedway with the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP. Daggett blasted to the lead from row two with a three wide pass to take the lead and motored through lapped traffic to take the victory.
While Daggett was pulling away after the tremendous start Daggett’s nemesis in the 2014 SOD championship race Ryan Ruhl slid off the track in turn four. Ruhl restarted from the tail of the field and thrilled the Merritt fans racing up through the field. Aided by two cautions, Ruhl was soon racing with Kyle Pitts for second position. Pitts, who was having his career best SOD feature run, battled with Ruhl until two laps to go when Ruhl took the runner up spot. At that point Daggett’s lead was insurmountable for Ruhl to overcome. Pitts held on for a career best third place finish while Troy Chehowski and Chase Ridenour rounded out the top five.
Rienour, Ruhl, and Pitts won heat race events. The dash was scratched due to lighting issues. SOD teams and officials would like to thank Merritt Speedway for pushing the feature up in the program to complete the event.
Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP
Merritt Speedway – Merritt, MI
Saturday August 2nd, 2014
Hoosier Tire Heat Race #1 (8 Laps): 1. Chase Ridenour, 2. Mike Austraskus, 3. Gregg Dalman, 4. Robert Huisken, 5. Andy Teunessen, 6. Brad Lamberson
All Star Performance / Comp Cams Heat Race #2 (8 Laps): 1. Ryan Ruhl, 2. Dustin Daggett, 3. Chris Pobanz, 4. Jay Steinebach, 5. Jim Lingar
Speed Pro Heat Race #3 (8 Laps): 1. Kyle Pitts, 2. Andy Chehowski, 3. Troy Chehowski, 4. Tank Brakenberry, 5. Ralph Brakenberry.
A-Main (25 Laps): 1. Dustin Daggett, 2. Ryan Ruhl, 3. Kyle Pitts, 4. Troy Chehowski, 5. Chase Ridenour, 6. Gregg Dalman, 7. Andy Chehowski, 8. Jay Steinebach, 9. Chris Pobanz, 10. Brad Lamberson, 11. Mike Austraskus, 11. Robert Huisken, 13. Andy Teunessen, 14. Jim Lingar, 15. Tank Brakenberry, 16. Ralph Brakenberry.
Lap Leaders: Daggett 1-25
Engine Pro Lucky Dog: Chris Pobanz
The Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP event scheduled for Friday night at I-96 Speedway was cancelled after a heavy rain and hail storm hit the speedway shortly before hot laps. The series continues Saturday at Merritt Speedway.
After four seasons at the helm of one of the premier sprint car sanctioning bodies in the country I have announced that the 2014 season will be my last with the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt Presented by ARP. This is by my choice so don’t look for controversy, dirty laundry or gossip. My personal business has grown tremendously in the past two years and I cannot give the series the additional time needed to properly run the organization.
The ownership of SOD has been aware of this since late January. I announced this to my dedicated race staff in late March and officially told the incredible SOD teams in mid-June.
I will complete the entire 2014 season including the championship banquet preparation. This is the 35th year of Sprints on Dirt sanctioning sprint car racing in the Midwest, so I have only been a small part of this, the series has never been stronger and has a tremendous future. I will do a good bye and thank you letter at the end of the season, this is just the official announcement that we are looking for someone to fill this role for 2015.
Anyone interested in this position please feel free to contact me at mlstrevel@gmail.com or cell 616-204-0622. I will be doing the initial interviews and then serious final candidates will interview with series owner John Naida.
This is not a job for the faint of heart. There is a tremendous amount of behind the scenes work that needs to be accomplished. Contingency sponsorship sales are a large part of the work along with race scheduling, rule book review and staff hiring. I will gladly assist/advise the right candidate for the 2015 season if so required. That is for discussion with the new Series Director.
Please serious inquiries only, I will do my best to return email and phone calls. You can always catch me at the track during Sprints on Dirt events. I might be able to give a few minutes to go over details. Look at the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt Schedule on the website to see where I’ll be.
Thank you and see you at the races.
Mike Strevel
Series Director
Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt Presented by ARP
By Bob Buffenbarger
Quincy, MI — (July 26, 2014) — Jared Horstman made the trip from Ohio worthwhile by winning Saturday night’s Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP / K&L Ready Mix National Racing Alliance co-sanctioned event at Butler Motor Speedway. Ryan Kirkendall started on the pole with Ruhl along side and Ruhl jumped out to the lead at the drop of the green.
Separate caution periods for Doug Zimmerman, Brett Mann and Shawn Dancer slowed action but Ruhl looked untouchable early on as he was running the high side but was able to negotiate traffic with ease. On restarts 2nd place Horstman was able to close but Ruhl would quickly gain some distance on the #17 of Horstman.
Behind the lead pair, Craig Karazim was steady with a strong run in third with Trey Smith, Max Stambaugh, Devon Dobie and Dustin Stroupe and Chase Ridenour all involved with some great racing for 4th through 8th.
Lap 20 saw Horstman closing again on Ruhl as they were moving in on lapped traffic and on the 21st circuit, Horstman was able to make the pass in turn three on Ruhl. Horstman held Ruhl at bay and and went on to victory. Ruhl held on for second while Craig Karazim, Trey Smith, and Max Stambaugh rounded out the top five.
Heats for the 28 cars on hand went to Horstman, Karazim, Kirkendall and Trey Smith. Brett Mann won the B main and Dustin Stroupe won the dash.
Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP / K&L Ready Mix National Racing Allance
Butler Motor Speedway – Quincy, MI
Saturday July 26, 2014
Hoosier Tire Heat Race #1 (8 Laps): 1. Jared Horstman, 2. Dustin Stroup, 3. Chase Ridenour, 4. Brett Mann, 5. Mark Aldrich, 6. Tyler Moore, 7. Zane DeVault.
All Star Performance / Comp Cams Heat Race #2 (8 Laps): 1. Craig Karazim, 2. Shawn Dancer, 3. Doug Zimmerman, 4. Kyle Pitts, 5. Dustin Daggett, 6. Andy Teunessen, 7. Jim Lingar.
Speed Pro Heat Race #3 (8 Laps): 1. Ryan Kirkendall, 2. Andy Chehowski, 3. Devon Dobie, 4. Ryan Ruhl, 5. Jay Steinebach, 6. Jess Stiger, 7. Linden Jones.
ARP Fasteners Heat Race #4 (8 Laps): 1. Trey Smith, 2. Max Stambaugh, 3. Brad Lamberson, 4. Hud Horton, 5. J.R. Stewart, 6. Troy Chehowski. DNS: Gregg Dalman.
(Top 16 in passing points from the heat race events transferred to the A-Main)
Nitro Black Dash (4 Laps): 1. Dustin Stroup, 2. Doug Zimmerman, 3. Andy Chehowski, 4. Devon Dobie (Finish determined starting posts 9-12 for the A-Main)
Engine Pro B-Main (10 Laps): 1. Brett Mann, 2. Jay Steinebach, 3. J.R. Stewart, 4. Troy Chehowski, 5. Mark Aldrich, 6. Linden Jones, 7. Tyler Moore, 8. Jess Stiger, 9. Jim Lingar, 10. Zane DeVault, 11. Andy Teunessen. DNS: Gregg Dalman. (First four finishers transferred to the A-Main)
A-Main (25 Laps): 1. Jared Horstman, 2. Ryan Ruhl, 3. Craig Karazim, 4. Trey Smith, 5. Max Stambaugh, 6. Devon Dobie, 7. Dustin Stroup, 8. Chase Ridenour, 9. Brad Lamberson, 10. Dustin Daggett, 11. Hud Horton, 12. Ryan Kirkendall, 13. Andy Chehowski, 14. Kyle Pitts, 15. Doug Zimmerman, 16. J.R. Stewart, 17. Troy Chehowski, 18. Jay Stienebach, 19. Shawn Dancer, 20. Brett Mann.
Lap Leaders: Ruhl 1-21, Horstman 22-25
Engine Pro Lucky Dog: Doug Zimmerman