GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (September 26, 2014) – With one race to go in the 2014 season, the Michigan-based Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt (SOD) Presented by ARP is pleased to announce their new Series Director for 2015 and beyond.

Jamie Osborn, from Wyoming, Mich., has agreed to take over the reins from the ever-popular Mike Strevel going into the 2015 season. Osborn, who has been the Head Scorer for the series since 2005, has also handled various race control duties as the “eye in the sky” for the series.

“During my time as Series Director, I’ve worked side by side with Jamie, and honestly, I don’t have a single doubt about her ability to lead SOD in the future,” said Strevel. “She has some great plans for the series and I look forward to seeing the direction she heads in.”

“Our theme for 2015 and beyond is growth. We want to grow the fan base, grow our social media presence and give the SOD teams a larger presence in the motorsports world,” said Osborn. “We want our fans to feel like they are getting more for their dollar when they come to our events and we want drivers to feel like they are able to give their sponsors more than ever.”

With plans to increase the marketing reach and make attending a sprint car race feel more like the exciting atmosphere of other professional sports, Osborn and her team will be working tirelessly in the off season to make that happen.

“I believe that if we work hard to make all of that happen, then our car count will grow organically,” noted Osborn. “If we can make SOD a series where drivers and teams know they will get good media exposure and even better fan exposure, I hope the cars will come and our tracks will want us back.”

Running a relatively traditional schedule, Osborn believes that fans can expect a similar schedule in 2015, including several co-sanctioned events with the Ohio-based NRA series.

“We have a lot of work to do this winter – we are planning to attend the Performance Racing Industry show in Indianapolis in December, we want to hear from the drivers and promoters and we want to make sure lines of communication are open and ready to go,” said Osborn. “I am very excited for this opportunity and excited for the future of the series.”

SOD has one event left after this evening’s race at Berlin Raceway, the Season Championship at Plymouth Speedway on October 4th. With two races left, Ryan Ruhl holds a 27 point lead over former Series Champion, Dustin Daggett.

Follow the Sprints On Dirt series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sprintsondirt , Twitter @sprintsondirt and their website at www.sprintsondirt.com

Sprints On Dirt is supported by Engine Pro, ARP, Engler Machine and Tool, Allstar Performance/Comp Cams/Lane Automotive, Butlerbuilt Racing Seats, Hoosier Tire, Brodix Cylinder Heads, MAHLE/Clevite, AFCO Racing Products, ATL Fuel Cell, Rocket Headers and JE/SRP Pistons. The November 8th Champions’ Banquet is sponsored by: XYZ Machining, Schoenfeld Headers, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Hoosier Tire, Miles Petroleum and Holiday Inn Express of Howell, Mich.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (September 26, 2014) – With one race to go in the 2014 season, the Michigan-based Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt (SOD) series presented by ARP is pleased to announce their new Series Director for 2015 and beyond.

Jamie Osborn, from Wyoming, Mich., has agreed to take over the reins from the ever-popular Mike Strevel going into the 2015 season.  Osborn, who has been the Head Scorer for the series since 2005, has also handled various race control duties as the “eye in the sky” for the series.

“During my time as Series Director, I’ve worked side by side with Jamie, and honestly, I don’t have a single doubt about her ability to lead SOD in the future,” said Strevel.  “She has some great plans for the series and I look forward to seeing the direction she heads in.”

“Our theme for 2015 and beyond is growth.  We want to grow the fan base, grow our social media presence and give the SOD teams a larger presence in the motorsports world,” said Osborn.  “We want our fans to feel like they are getting more for their dollar when they come to our events and we want drivers to feel like they are able to give their sponsors more than ever.”

With plans to increase the marketing reach and make attending a sprint car race feel more like the exciting atmosphere of other professional sports, Osborn and her team will be working tirelessly in the off season to make that happen.

“I believe that if we work hard to make all of that happen, then our car count will grow organically,” noted Osborn.  “If we can make SOD a series where drivers and teams know they will get good media exposure and even better fan exposure, I hope the cars will come and our tracks will want us back.”

Running a relatively traditional schedule, Osborn believes that fans can expect a similar schedule in 2015, including several co-sanctioned events with the Ohio-based NRA series.

“We have a lot of work to do this winter – we are planning to attend the Performance Racing Industry show in Indianapolis in December, we want to hear from the drivers and promoters and we want to make sure lines of communication are open and ready to go,” said Osborn.  “I am very excited for this opportunity and excited for the future of the series.”

SOD has one event left after this evening’s race at Berlin Raceway, the Season Championship at Plymouth Speedway on October 4^th.  With two races left, Ryan Ruhl holds a 27 point lead over former Series Champion, Dustin Daggett.

Follow the Sprints On Dirt series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sprintsondirt , Twitter @sprintsondirt and their website at www.sprintsondirt.com

Sprints On Dirt is supported by Engine Pro, ARP, Engler Machine and Tool, Allstar Performance/Comp Cams/Lane Automotive, Butlerbuilt Racing Seats, Hoosier Tire, Brodix Cylinder Heads, MAHLE/Clevite, AFCO Racing Products, ATL Fuel Cell, Rocket Headers and JE/SRP Pistons.  The November 8^th Champions’ Banquet is sponsored by: XYZ Machining, Schoenfeld Headers, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Hoosier Tire, Miles Petroleum and Holiday Inn Express of Howell, Mich.

Marne, MI — (September 24, 2014) — The Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt Presented by ARP will return to the legendary Berlin Raceway in Marne, MI Friday September 26. This event will be one of the highest paying events on the 2014 calendar.

The Michigan based series celebrating its 35th season of competition will be competing for a $5,000 to win first prize and defending race winner Dustin Daggett will be returning to defend his title at the 7/16 mile oval.

An incredible mid-week race in 2013 drew nearly 30 cars from throughout the Midwest and an even larger field is expected this year. Current point leader Ryan Ruhl from Coldwater MI will be trying to extend his points lead over four time champion Daggett with only Berlin and the October 4 season championship race at Plymouth Speedway left to go. In 2013 Daggett passed current World of Outlaws sprint car driver Shane Stewart with only a handful of laps to go to take one of the biggest feature wins of his incredibly successful career.

The 30 lap Battle at Berlin will be one of the most competitive 360 sprint races of the season with drivers expected from 10 states and Canada all vying for one of the 24 starting positions in the main event and capturing the $5,000 first place prize.

Race day will begin with the pit area opening up at 4:00PM, race time is 6:30.

The Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt Presented by ARP will complete its 35th year with the Champions Banquet set for Saturday November 8, 2014. The location for this year’s festivities will be the Holiday Inn Kalamazoo West in Kalamazoo, MI.

The cost is $35 per ticket which includes a tremendous catered. The address of the banquet facility/hotel is 2747 South 11th Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. Tickets are available until November 1. The hotel is also holding a block of rooms at a discounted price, the hotel website is www.holidayinn.com/kalamazoo.

To order tickets for this year’s Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt Presented by ARP banquet please contact Mike Strevel at mlstrevel@gmail.com or 616-204-0622. Tickets will be available at both the Berlin and Plymouth races also.

Awards ceremony will start with doors opening at 5:30, Happy Hour at 6:00, Dinner served at 7:00 and banquet ceremonies at 8:00PM.

By T.J. Buffenbarger

Ohsweken, ON – (September 13, 2014) – Jessica Zemken’s perseverance paid off on Saturday night in route to winning the 10th Annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals Saturday night at Ohsweken Speedway. Zemken overcame a power steering failure in her heat race, charging from 14th starting spot to take the lead from defending Canadian Nationals winner Shane Stewart on lap 13 and held off Wayne Johnson after a late race restart for the victory. The win was Zemken’s first Canadian Nationals feature victory of her career and second of the season.

“This feels really awesome,” said Zemken in the pit area following the biggest victory of her career. “I have to thank John and Wendy Brush from Corr-Pak Merchandising. They believed me when a lot of other people did not. They have behind me now for six years, and I couldn’t do this without them. Also my crew guys. They are guys with regular jobs and take time off to go racing with me.”

Jared Horstman and Dustin Daggett started on the front row for the 35-Lap Canadian Sprint Car Nationals feature event. Daggett led at the start while Stewart passed Horstman for second. Stewart then ran down Daggett while Horstman battled for third on lap two until Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP point leader Ryan Ruhl came to a stop in turn four. Ruhl was unable to continue.
Daggett and Stewart then began a series of exchanging slide jobs over the next five laps racing for the lead. Then on lap seven Stewart and Daggett made contact in turn three that allowed Stewart to take the lead, but Daggett remained close enough to chase Stewart. This allowed Horstman and Zemken, who quickly worked her way up from mid-pack using the bottom of the race track, to join the race for the lea just as the caution flag flew for Randy Hannagan spinning in turn three. Hannagan rejoined the tail of the field.

During the restart Horstman could not hold onto the top side of the track in turn three and took a wild slide off the race track into the embankment off the racing surface to bring out the caution flag. Horstman was unable to continue.

The following restart saw Stewart, Daggett, and Zemken racing three wide for the lead off turn four. Zemken used low line of the race track to take second away from Daggett on lap 12 and then the lead from Stewart on lap 13. Two laps later the caution flag appeared again when Paige Polyak spun in turn three. After repairs in the work area Polyak rejoined the event.

Zemken continued to pull away while Stewart and Daggett raced for the second spot. Behind the race for second Bryan Howland and former Nationals winner Wayne Johnson raced for the fourth spot. On lap 18 the race for second shifted for Daggett when Johnson drove by him for third. Five laps later Johnson moved past Stewart for second and set out after Zemken for the lead.

As Johnson moved into second Zemken was mired in heavy traffic. Then with 11 laps to go the caution appeared for Dave Axton’s spin. Zemken had three lapped cars between herself and Johnson for the restart and pulled away. Johnson quickly disposed of the slower cars while it took Stewart longer to clear the traffic.

Then with eight laps to go a scary moment occurred when Jordan Thomas flipped down the front straightaway. After a few moments to get his composure Thomas exited the car under his own power but was transported for observation to a local hospital.

After an open red for refueling during the lengthy red flag Zemken found the entire top five right on her back bumper with no lapped cars between them. Zemken got a great restart to pull away from the rest of the field while Johnson gave chase. Behind them Daggett and Howland overtook Stewart for third and fourth and continued to race for a top three position.

Johnson started to close in on Zemken during the final laps, but could not make up the distance as Zemken took the checkered flag over Johnson, Daggett, Howland, and top Canadian finisher Steve Poirier.

10th Annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals
Ohsweken Speedway – Ohsweken, ON
Saturday September 13, 2014

Qualifying Group #1: 1. 67 – Steve Collins, 14.235; 2. 35 – Jared Zimbardi, 14.244; 3. 55 – Mark Smith, 14.335; 4. 3G – Shane Stewart, 14.452; 5. 17H – Hud Horton, 14.546; 6. 5d – Dave Dykstra, 14.668; 7. 48J – Darryl Ruggles, 14.972; 8. 21 – Don Adamczyk, 15.057; 9. 10JR – CJ Jones, 15.133; 10. 15 – Mike Ferrel, 15.391; 11. 5m – Brad Malloy, 15.705; 12. 19k – Paul Kinney, NT

Qualifying Group #2: 1. 16 – Ryan Ruhl, 14.191; 2. 1Z – Jessica Zemken, 14.258; 3. 33K – Kyle Patrick, 14.295; 4. 14H – Jim Huppunen, 14.506; 5. 79 – Jordan Thomas, 14.524; 6. 10J – Jeremy Hughes, 14.585; 7. 10K – Rob Dietrick, 14.799; 8. 5 – Keith Dempster, 14.856; 9. 3R – Shane Ross, 14.887; 10. 51 – Lee Ladoucer, 14.931; 11. 81 – Derek Jonathan, 15.352; 12. 27 – Brad Lamberson, NT;

Qualifying Group #3: 1. 22H – Randy Hannagan, 14.229; 2. 19p – Paige Polyak, 14.303; 3. 49 – Todd Hoddick, 14.350; 4. 51H – Bryan Howland, 14.391; 5. 87 – Jason Barney, 14.425; 6. 6m – Max Stambaugh, 14.442; 7. 25P – Michael Parent, 14.575; 8. 13 – Dylan Swiernik, 14.851; 9. 87R – Ryan Linder, 14.930; 10. 75 – Tommy Wickham, 14.995; 11. 1 – Kyle Fraser, 15.343.

Qualifying Group #4: 1. 123 – Yan Bilodeau, 14.417; 2. 422 – Etienne Girard, 14.541; 3. 11R – Chase Ridenour, 14.583; 4. 2 – Dave Axton, 14.733; 5. 36 – Mike Stelter, 14.837; 6. 45T – Joe Trenca, 14.936; 7. 5c – Conor Mahoney, 15.1728. 6 – Curtis Gartly, 15.199; 9. 22 – Jim Porter, 15.489; 10. 15a – April Wilson, 15.659; 11. 43 – Scott Sherk, 16.268

Qualifying Group #5: 1. 10 – Mitch Brown, 14.201; 2. 17 – Jared Horstman, 14.239; 3. 0 – Glenn Styres, 14.254; 4. 27H – Tommy Huppunen, 14.388; 5. 0 – Dane Lorenc, 14.544; 6. 10c – Jeff Cook, 14.620; 7. 42w – Rick Wilson, 14.982; 8. 21J – John Burbridge Jr., 15.345; 9. 94z – Stan Zanchin, 15.366; 10. 10b – Scott Kruetter, 15.370; 11. 70 – Jim Lingar, 16.388;

Qualifying Group #6: 1. 45 – Chuck Hebing, 14.158; 2. 77x – Wayne Johnson, 14.194; 3. 89 – Robbie Stillwaggon, 14.215; 4. 2m – Dustin Daggett, 14.268; 5. 28F – Steve Poirier, 14.314; 6. 19 – Cory Turner*, 14.604; 7. 49D – Shawn Dancer, 14.702; 8. 11 – Jamie Turner, 14.735; 9. 77 – Dain Naida, 14.743; 10. 8b – Alain Bergeron, 14.757; 11. 25G – Tyler Graves, 16.247;

Heat Race #1 (10 Laps): 1. 3G – Shane Stewart, 2. 35 – Jared Zimbardi, 3. 55 – Mark Smith, 4. 67 – Steve Collins, 5. 5d – Dave Dykstra, 6. 17H – Hud Horton, 7. 48J – Darryl Ruggles, 8. 5m – Brad Malloy, 9. 19k – Paul Kinney, 10. 10JR – CJ Jones, 11. 15 – Mike Ferrel, DNS: 21 – Don Adamczyk.(Top three finishers transfers to the A-Main)

Heat Race #2 (10 Laps): 1. 33K – Kyle Patrick, 2. 16 – Ryan Ruhl, 3. 1Z – Jessica Zemken, 4. 79 – Jordan Thomas, 5. 14H – Jim Huppunen, 6. 3R – Shane Ross, 7. 10J – Jeremy Hughes, 8. 5 – Keith Dempster, 9. 51 – Lee Ladoucer, 10. 81 – Derek Jonathan, 11. 27 – Brad Lamberson, 12. 10K – Rob Dietrick.(Top three finishers transfers to the A-Main)

Heat Race #3 (10 Laps): 1. 22H – Randy Hannagan, 2. 51H – Bryan Howland, 3. 19p – Paige Polyak, 4. 6m – Max Stambaugh, 5. 13 – Dylan Swiernik, 6. 87 – Jason Barney, 7. 25P – Michael Parent, 8. 87R – Ryan Linder, 9. 75 – Tommy Wickham, 10. 1 – Kyle Fraser, 11. 49 – Todd Hoddick.(Top three finishers transfers to the A-Main)

Heat Race #4 (10 Laps): 1. 123 – Yan Bilodeau, 2. 45T – Joe Trenca, 3. 2 – Dave Axton, 4. 36 – Mike Stelter, 5. 422 – Etienne Girard, 6. 11R – Chase Ridenour, 7. 5c – Conor Mahoney, 8. 15a – April Wilson, 9. 6 – Curtis Gartly, 10. 43 – Scott Sherk, 11. 22 – Jim Porter.(Top three finishers transfers to the A-Main)

Heat Race #5 (10 Laps): 1. 17 – Jared Horstman, 2. 10 – Mitch Brown, 3. 0 – Glenn Styres, 4. 10c – Jeff Cook, 5. 27H – Tommy Huppunen, 6. 0 – Dane Lorenc, 7. 21J – John Burbridge Jr., 8. 94z – Stan Zanchin, 9. 42w – Rick Wilson, 10. 10b – Scott Kruetter, 11. 70 – Jim Lingar. (Top three finishers transfers to the A-Main)

Heat Race #6 (10 Laps): 1. 2m – Dustin Daggett, 2. 77x – Wayne Johnson, 3. 45 – Chuck Hebing, 4. 89 – Robbie Stillwaggon, 5. 28F – Steve Poirier, 6. 77 – Dain Naida, 7. 8b – Alain Bergeron, 8. 19 – Cory Turner, 9. 49D – Shawn Dancer, 10. 11 – Jamie Turner, 11. 25G – Tyler Graves. (Top three finishers transfers to the A-Main)

B-Main #1 (12 Laps): 1. 67 – Steve Collins, 2. 79 – Jordan Thomas, 3. 14H – Jim Huppunen, 4. 48J – Darryl Ruggles, 5. 17H – Hud Horton, 6. 5d – Dave Dykstra, 7. 3R – Shane Ross, 8. 10J – Jeremy Hughes, 9. 5 – Keith Dempster, 10. 81 – Derek Jonathan, 11. 5m – Brad Malloy, 12. 51 – Lee Ladoucer, 13. 10K – Rob Dietrick, 14. 10JR – CJ Jones, dns . 19k – Paul Kinney. DNS: 15 – Mike Ferrel, 27 – Brad Lamberson, 21 – Don Adamczyk. (Top two finishers transferred to the A-Main)

B-Main #2 (12 Laps): 1. 36 – Mike Stelter, 2. 13 – Dylan Swiernik, 3. 25P – Michael Parent, 4. 87 – Jason Barney, 5. 6m – Max Stambaugh, 6. 87R – Ryan Linder, 7. 422 – Etienne Girard, 8. 5c – Conor Mahoney, 9. 6 – Curtis Gartly, 10. 11R – Chase Ridenour, 11. 1 – Kyle Fraser, 12. 15a – April Wilson, 13. 43 – Scott Sherk, 14. 22 – Jim Porter, 15. 75 – Tommy Wickham. (Top two finishers transferred to the A-Main)

B-Main #3 (12 Laps): 1. 28F – Steve Poirier, 2. 89 – Robbie Stillwaggon, 3. 10c – Jeff Cook, 4. 8b – Alain Bergeron, 5. 19 – Cory Turner, 6. 49D – Shawn Dancer, 7. 77 – Dain Naida, 8. 11 – Jamie Turner, 9. 0 – Dane Lorenc, 10. 94z – Stan Zanchin, 11. 42w – Rick Wilson, 12. 10b – Scott Kruetter, 13. 27H – Tommy Huppunen, 14. 25G – Tyler Graves, 15. 70 – Jim Lingar, 16. 21J – John Burbridge Jr.
Dash (4 Laps): 1. 17 – Jared Horstman, 2. 2m – Dustin Daggett, 3. 33K – Kyle Patrick, 4. 3G – Shane Stewart, 5. 123 – Yan Bilodeau, 6. 22H – Randy Hannagan. (Finish determined the first six starting spots of the A-Main)

Little Feature (15 Laps): 1. 87 – Jason Barney, 2. 10c – Jeff Cook, 3. 17H – Hud Horton, 4. 14H – Jim Huppunen, 5. 77 – Dain Naida, 6. 49D – Shawn Dancer, 7. 6m – Max Stambaugh, 8. 10J – Jeremy Hughes, 9. 3R – Shane Ross, 10. 19 – Cory Turner, 11. 8b – Alain Bergeron, 12. 5d – Dave Dykstra, 13. 25P – Michael Parent, 14. 87R – Ryan Linder, 15. 422 – Etienne Girard. (Top six finishers transferred to the A-Main)

A-Main (35 Laps): 1. 1Z – Jessica Zemken, 2. 77x – Wayne Johnson, 3. 2m – Dustin Daggett, 4. 51H – Bryan Howland, 5. 28F – Steve Poirier, 6. 3G – Shane Stewart, 7. 45 – Chuck Hebing, 8. 45T – Joe Trenca, 9. 19p – Paige Polyak, 10. 35 – Jared Zimbardi, 11. 87 – Jason Barney, 12. 89 – Robbie Stillwaggon, 13. 10 – Mitch Brown, 14. 13 – Dylan Swiernik, 15. 36 – Mike Stelter, 16. 49D – Shawn Dancer, 17. 67 – Steve Collins, 18. 77 – Dain Naida, 19. 0 – Glenn Styres, 20. 14H – Jim Huppunen, 21. 33K – Kyle Patrick, 22. 2 – Dave Axton, 23. 55 – Mark Smith, 24. 10c – Jeff Cook, 25. 79 – Jordan Thomas, 26. 123 – Yan Bilodeau, 27. 17H – Hud Horton, 28. 22H – Randy Hannagan, 29. 17 – Jared Horstman, 30. 16 – Ryan Ruhl.
Lap Leaders: Daggett 1-5, Stewart 6-12, Zemken 13-35