Boston Mead (3rd), winner Thomas Schinderle, Joe Swanson (2nd)

Thomas Schinderle was dialed in as Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP invaded Butler Motor Speedway for the Driven Racing Oil Battlegrounds Bash finale/4^th Annual Butler Bash Saturday night.  The spectacular show, the last 2017 SOD race at Butler, put an exclamation point on the three-race series.  The Driven Racing Oil, Butler Motor Speedway, Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP partnership was a huge success.

Schinderle (Berkley, MI) not only picked up his first sprint car feature win, but also the $1,000 check as the 2017 Driven Racing Oil Battlegrounds Bash points champion.  He started the night in fourth place in the points, but a combination of several factors, including his stellar performance, propelled him to the championship.  Joe Swanson, Chad Blonde, Jay Steinebach, and Steve Irwin will also share in the point fund payout.

It was the “younger generation” in the front row to start the feature, thirteen-year-old leading SOD sprint car rookie of the year candidate Andrew Scheid (Sparta, MI) started from the pole.  Butler competitor nineteen-year-old Quentin Blonde (Litchfield, MI) started outside front row.  After a first lap caution for a Tony Bures spin, Scheid took the lead on the start and looked like anything but a sprint car rookie.

On lap five Joe Swanson (Etna Green, IN) used his experience to grab the lead from Scheid.  Swanson looked fast, but sixth place starter Thomas Schinderle drove by Swanson, winner of the second Driven Racing Oil Battlegrounds Bash race, on lap 9 after a crowd-pleasing back and forth battle.

Once out front, Schinderle skillfully worked his way through traffic and maintained a small lead over Swanson.  For a lap twenty-one restart, Chad Blonde had moved into third and all eyes were on him as the race went green.  Schinderle and Swanson were up to the challenge though.  Blonde’s charge ended as he ran over the top of turn three, losing six places.

Josh Shantz , a regular at Ohsweken Speedway in Ontario, entered his first Engine Pro Sprints On presented by ARP.  Former Michigander Chad Goff, now an Olathe, Kansas, resident and longtime winged and non-winged, pavement and dirt sprint car competitor also competed in the program.

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

Heat Races – Winners $100 each

B-Main

Feature

KSE Racing Products Hard Charger – Gregg Dalman (+6)
BR Motorsports Contingency (feature top 10 draw) – Steve Irwin
DMI (Diversified Machine) Contingency (feature 12-16 draw) – Gregg Dalman
Perfit Corporation Lucky Dog – Tim Evilsizer

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.

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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.