Kenny Wallace helps Chad Blonde and crew celebrate win

Chad Blonde dominated the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt King Engine Bearing King of Michigan Race #3 at Hartford Speedway Friday night.

The large crowd was treated to an impressive display of masterful driving as Blonde charged from his eighth starting position and had little trouble with lapped traffic on the wide, expansive track.  Blonde took the lead from Linden Jones on lap four and drove away from the field.  He was chased to the checkered flag by Ryan Ruhl who took second from Steve Irwin on lap 17.  Ruhl was also impressive as he ran the entire race on seven cylinders, losing a cylinder at the start of the feature.  SOD championship point leader Irwin finished third.  The caution-free feature was completed in just five minutes and twenty-five seconds with only seven cars finishing on the lead lap.

Blonde is perfect in the three King Engine Bearing KoM races so far in 2017 and also won the last SOD race on the old Hartford track configuration last year.  He was also the fastest overall qualifier and heat race winner.  His three wins give him a commanding lead in the King Engine Bearing King of Michigan point standings over Steve Irwin, Gregg Dalman, Thomas Schinderle, and Linden Jones.

The Lane Automotive/MSD Ignition Fast Masters also won their respective heats with Blonde in the Engler Machine & Tool heat, Joe Swanson in the COMP Cams heat, and Ryan Ruhl in the RockAuto.com heat.

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

Heat Races – Winners $100 each

Feature

KSE Racing Products Hard Charger – Jay Steinebach (+10)
BR Motorsports Contingency (feature top 10 draw) – Linden Jones
DMI (Diversified Machine) Contingency (feature 12-16 draw) – Eli Lakin
Perfit Corporation Lucky Dog – Alexis Adgate

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 (Hard Charger Sponsor), XYZ Machining (Season Sportsman & Crew Chief Sponsor).  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.

Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP is getting prepped for SOD’s “Hot August Michigan Weekend,” the first of two consecutive two-day weekends that will have a major impact on not only the SOD season championship, but all three of the season’s mini-series also.

On Friday, SOD rolls into Hartford Motor Speedway for the King Engine Bearings King of Michigan third race of the four-race series.  Chad Blonde was the winner of the first two King of Michigan races and has a commanding KoM point lead over Steve Irwin, Thomas Schinderle, Chris Gurley, and Gregg Dalman.

On Saturday, SOD moves on to the Driven Racing Oil Battlegrounds Bash championship race and 4th annual Butler Bash at Butler Motor Speedway.  Ryan Ruhl leads the Driven Racing Oil Battlegrounds Bash points over Jay Steinebach, Chad Blonde, Thomas Schinderle, and Joe Swanson.

2001 SOD champion Steve Irwin leads SOD championship points going into this weekend followed by The Perfit Corporation leading SOD series rookie contender Thomas Schinderle, two-time SOD champion Gregg Dalman, 2016 XYZ Machining Sportsman of the Year Mark Aldrich, and The Perfit Corporation SOD series rookie contender Chris Jones.

Full SOD championship, King Engine Bearings King of Michigan, Driven Racing Oil Battlegrounds Bash, and MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge points are all posted on the Sprints On Dirt website.

Once this weekend is over, competitors will have to quickly get ready for the “Michigan MegaWeekend” on August 18th for the MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge championship at the Manistee County Fairgrounds and August 19th for the Allstar Performance Open Wheel Spectacular at Merritt Speedway.  The Merritt race will be SOD’s milestone 900th race.

Check out King Engine Bearings at www.kingbearings.com and Hartford Speedway at www.hartfordspeedway.net.  Get to know Driven Racing Oil at www.drivenracingoil.com and Butler Motor Speedway at www.butlerspeedway.net.

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 (Hard Charger Sponsor), XYZ Machining (Season Sportsman & Crew Chief Sponsor).  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.

This Friday, August 4th, for the first time since July 18, 1999, Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP will be racing at the Manistee County Fairgrounds in Onekama, Michigan.  The fifth and final race of the MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge will determine the 2017 BLC champion.

The Manistee County Fairgrounds, SOD’s northern most venue, will challenge racers with its large, d-shaped, almost circular track, unlike most configurations competitors have experience on.

The BLC offers drivers the opportunity to focus on a mini-championship with its own point fund within the full Sprints on Dirt series points chase.  The point fund pays the top five finishers in the BLC.  The MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge Champion will be awarded $1,000 and is currently led by Steve Irwin (Fenton, MI) over Thomas Schinderle (Berkley, MI).  Gregg Dalman (Bellevue, MI), Chris Jones (Allen, MI), and Robert Bulloch (Pittsford, MI) round out the current top five.

The race will be part of the 2017 Onekama Days that include a wide range of activities on the first full weekend of August, including arts & crafts, 5k run and walk, tennis tournament, classic car show, church bazaars and luncheons, hospitality tent, kids’ activities, dances, Friday night fireworks and a Sunday parade.  Learn more about all Onekama Days activities at www.visitmanisteecounty.com/local-events/onekama-days.

For more information about MAHLE/Clevite, go to https://catalog.mahle-aftermarket.com/eu/home/index.xhtml?l=EN.  To learn more about Engine Pro, go to www.enginepro.com.  For more information about ARP, go to www.arp-bolts.com.  For more information about Sprints on Dirt, visit www.sprintsondirt.com and the Sprints On Dirt Facebook page.

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 (Hard Charger Sponsor), XYZ Machining (Season Sportsman & Crew Chief Sponsor).  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.

Jay Steinebach (2nd), Joe Swanson (1st), Ryan Ruhl (3rd)

Swanson (Etna Green, Indiana) started from the pole, but a lap one red for a Shebly Bilton and Andy Chehowski crash on the back straightaway, and a quick caution for Tyler Bearden’s spin halted action quickly.  Once back under green, Swanson took the lead over Tim Evilsizer.  Boston Mead took 2^nd on lap 7, then Steinebach took the spot on the next lap.  Steinebach was getting faster as Swanson battled traffic and on lap 16 he shot by the leader and opened up a small lead.  On lap 18 the caution flew for Tyler Rankin’s spin.  Steinebach held the lead in spite of heavy pressure from Swanson through lap 22 when the caution came out for Doug Zimmerman’s spin.  Swanson charged into 1^st on lap 23 and led the final 2 laps to win the epic battle.

COMP Cams heat race winner Boston Mead suffered a broken rocker arm at the end of his heat race and SOD point leader suffered the same fate while leading the Engler Machine & Tool heat.  While it looked like both drivers were done for the night, they borrowed the parts needed to run the feature and their perseverance paid off.  Mead started 3^rd and finished 4^th.  Irwin started 22^nd and charged to a 6^th place finish, easily winning the KSE Hard Charger Award.

Doug Zimmerman led the 27-car field in qualifying with a 13.272 lap.

The SOD program was completed with typical SOD efficiency through the combined efforts of SOD competitors and Butler Motor Speedway officials.

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

Heat Races – Winners $100 each

Feature

KSE Racing Products Hard Charger – Steve Irwin (+16)
BR Motorsports Contingency (feature top 10 draw) – Mark Aldrich
DMI (Diversified Machine) Contingency (feature 12-16 draw) – Chris Jones
Perfit Corporation Lucky Dog – Zach Hampton

Get to know Driven Racing Oil at http://www.drivenracingoil.com.  For more information about Butler Motor Speedway, go to www.butlerspeedway.net.

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 (Hard Charger Sponsor), XYZ Machining (Season Sportsman & Crew Chief Sponsor).  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.

This Saturday, July 22nd, Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP racers head to Butler Motor Speedway for the second race of the Driven Racing Oil Battlegrounds Bash.

Litchfield’s Chad Blonde drove from 6^th to win the first BB race, the Driven Racing Oil Battlegrounds Bash WW III presented by Jim Coffey & Son Plumbing & Heating, feature on June 17th over Ryan Ruhl and Thomas Schinderle.

Blonde has two Butler wins in 2017, winning a weekly feature as well as the BB race.  Ruhl has two 2^nd place finishes at Butler this season.  Last Friday, Blonde won the King Engine Bearings King of Michigan race at Hartford Speedway and Ruhl finished 2^nd.

All three races of the Driven Racing Oil Battlegrounds Bash three-race series are being contested at Butler Motor Speedway, the birthplace of dirt track sprint car racing in Michigan and where many SOD competitors started their careers.   The BB will pay the points champion $1,000; the top five will each earn part of the point fund.  The third and final race will be on August 12^th.

Driven Racing Oil shares SOD’s leadership spirit in the highly competitive field of racing lubricants.  No oil is tested in competition like Driven Racing Oil, and no oil that you can buy has proven itself in Victory Lane like Driven Racing Oil. That’s a track record of a leader that you can believe in.

Get to know Driven Racing Oil at http://www.drivenracingoil.com.  For more information about Butler Motor Speedway, go to www.butlerspeedway.net.  To meet Engine Pro, go to www.enginepro.com.  For more information about ARP, go to www.arp-bolts.com.  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/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 (Hard Charger Sponsor), XYZ Machining (Season Sportsman & Crew Chief Sponsor).  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.