By Rich Vleck

MERLIN, Ontario (June 25, 2011) – When Keith Dempster got out of his car after what he thought was a hard-fought second place showing, he stated that it felt like a win; in the end it will officially go down as one.

Dempster, of Alton, Ontario, was declared the winner of the opening leg of the Jones-Brown Insurance Northern Summer Nationals at South Buxton Raceway Saturday Night after apparent winner Dustin Daggett was disqualified for a technical infraction found during post-race inspection.

“I really don’t like to win it this way, but we’ll take it,” stated Dempster, a two-time Southern Ontario Sprints Champion upon learning of his first win in over a year. “We had a good car and it helped starting up front tonight but we finally got the motor running right and had the car real good all night long.”

Dempster was given the pole position for the $2,000-to-win 25-lap A-Main by Dain Naida in the “Outlaw Style Redraw” and did not let his partial teammate down as he outdueled outside polesitter Tim Kelly through the first set of tricky corners at South Buxton. The pilot of the Ohsweken Speedway/ Rochester Knighthawks No. 5 would consistently stretch out his advantage over the pack through the first half of the race but Dustin Daggett was running his way up through the pack.

Daggett, of Grand Ledge, MI, who was given the seventh starting spot for the feature, moved into second with an impressive move on lap 11 as he drove around the outside ofy Dempster’s car owner Glenn Styres in turns three and four. Daggett was in the process of taking the lead on lap 15 after executing a similar maneuver when a caution flew for a multi-car incident in the back of the pack, reverting the field to the last lap completed and giving Dempster another chance to retain the lead.

Dempster would utilize his second chance and move his line up the narrow speedway to keep Daggett in second, but on as the lead duo moved into turn one on lap 17, Daggett powered his Miles Petroleum No. 2M around the outside and proceeded to check out from the pack and cruise to what he thought was his fifth win at the D-shaped 1/3-mile.

After the race, it became apparent that Daggett’s top wing, which is legal under ASCS Sprints on Dirt rules, did not meet Northern Summer Nationals specifications. It was an obvious letdown for the SOD point leader, who by all indications made an honest oversight.

It was not known at the time, but the battle for second on the track for the final 10 laps would determine the winner. A lap after Daggett took the lead, Bryan Howland, who started 10th, drove underneath Glenn Styres for third and began to apply pressure on Dempster for second. Just after completing lap 21, the pair quickly rain down a lapped machine in turn one and when Howland went to go around the outside he got into the loose dirt on the top of the track and slid over the banking, fell back to fifth, and effectively put him out of contention for the win.

In the exchange for spots, Jared Zimbardi would drive underneath both Howland and Styres to take third, which would result in a second place showing in the final rundown for the Patriot Sprint Tour point leader. In his first trip to the southern-most track in Canada, Zimbardi was admittedly not great but “survived” to earn the most Patriot points.

Glenn Styres would hold off Howland down the stretch to claim third, by far his best finish in 2011 after a disappointing start. First and third place for the Styres Racing entries was just what that team needed to get back on form.

Bryan Howland’s fourth place showing was disappointing for the four-time Patriot Champion after being up as far as third, but in his first trip to South Buxton he was perhaps the second quickest car all night long.

Warren Mahoney, who scored the win in Heat Two, would drive up to round out the top-five. The former SOS Champion had a solid car all night long for his third-straight fifth place showing at South Buxton.

Local favorite and Corr/Pak Sprints at Ohsweken Point Leader Kyle Patrick and form ASCS SOD Champion Ken Mackey were both way off in their respective heat races, but charged up to through pack to finish sixth and seventh, respectively.

In his first trip to the track, Eastern Ontario shoe Lee Ladouceur would end up eighth to unofficially take the SOS point lead. Jamie Collard was involved in three incidents on the night but would still salvage a ninth place effort. Michigander Robert Huisken completed the top-10.

A total of 25 cars would file in to the pits for the first of three Northern Summer Nationals events in 2011. Despite heavy rains in the area all week and overcast skies, a near-capacity crowd filled the stands for perhaps the largest sprint race in the track’s history.

All 25 entries started the feature; however minor incidents would relegate many to the pits before the race’s completion. Don Adamczyk, who started fourth but was pressuring Keith Dempster for the lead as the field completed the opening circuit, got crossed up when the field slowed for a caution and suffered terminal damage after fellow PST competitor Tim Kelly made contact. The incident would also hamper Kelly’s No. 12 the rest of the night.

Dain Naida was in third early in the event and was fighting hard to hold off Dustin Daggett at the completion of lap seven when the pair of Michigan drivers reeled in Glenn Styres and left Naida nowhere to go. Naida would spin out the No. 07x and collect Travis Cunningham, who was running sixth at the time.

Local Adam West struggled with engine issues all night long and retired early while veteran Dick Mahoney was forced to head to the pits on lap eight with brake issues after he had come from 16th up to eighth.

The final two events of the Northern Summer Nationals will take place on August 19 and 20, when the series point fund, along with a guaranteed starting spot in the seventh annual Arrow Express Canadian Sprint Car Nationals will be awarded. For more information, log onto www.OhswekenSpeedway.com.

Northern Summer Nationals Results: 6/25/11, South Buxton Raceway, Merlin, Ontario.

Jones-Brown Insurance A-Main (25 Laps)- 1. Keith Dempster (5), 2. Jared Zimbardi (35), 3. Glenn Styres (0), 4. Bryan Howland (51), 5. Warren Mahoney (25), 6. Kyle Patrick (33k), 7. Ken Mackey (25M), 8. Lee Ladouceur (51L), 9. Jamie Collard (7x), 10. Robert Huisken (46), 11. Bob Crawford (10c), 12. Dain Naida (07x), 13. Jim Munsie (9), 14. Mitch Brown (10), 15. Jim Lingar (70), 16. Chris Durand (67), 17. Adam West (30), 18. Tim Kelly (12), 19. Dick Mahoney (79), 20. Travis Cunningham (71), 21. John Burbridge (31), 22. Frank Baranowski (66), 23. Don Adamczyk (21), 24. Brad Lodge (2), 25. Dustin Daggett (2M).

Lap Leaders- Dempster 1-16, Daggett 17-25.

Heats (10 Laps Each)-
Race 1: 1. Styres, 2. Howland, 3. Kelly, 4. Cunningham, 5. Brown, 6. Lodge, 7. Munsie, 8. Lingar, 9. Baranowski.

Race 2: 1. W. Mahoney, 2. Daggett, 3. Burbridge, 4. D. Mahoney, 5. Ladouceur, 6. Collard, 7. Huisken, 8. West.

Race 3: 1. Naida, 2. Dempster, 3. Adamczyk, 4. Zimbardi, 5. Crawford, 6. Patrick, 7. Durand, 8. Mackey.

Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP Points (Top Ten): 1. Dustin Daggett 820, 2. Ryan Grubaugh 642, 3. Robert Huisken 613, 4. Jared Horstman 510, 5. Brett Mann 494, 6. Joe Bares 489, 7. Gregg Dalman 460, 8. Davey Brown 447, 9. Jim Lingar 436, 10. Matt Lumbert 428.

OHSWEKEN, Ontario (June 24, 2011) – Round one of the Northern Summer Nationals for the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP at Ohsweken Speedway on Friday night has fallen victim to rain.

The series moves on to South Buxton Raceway in Merlin, ONT, on Saturday night for round two of the Northern Summer Nationals.

By Lonnie Wheatley

TULSA, Okla. (June 20, 2011) – The Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP ventures north of the border for the first time in 2011 this weekend for the initial two rounds of the Northern Summer Nationals.

The series takes to Ohsweken Speedway in Ohsweken, Ontario on Friday night for a $3,000-to-win tilt and then moves on to Merlin, Ontario’s South Buxton Raceway on Saturday night for a $2,000-to-win event.

The initial pair of Canadian events finds the ASCS SOD forces tangling with the Patriot Sprint Tour, the Southern Ontario Sprints and CORR/Pak Sprint Series. The four series will converge again upon Ohsweken and South Buxton in August for another pair of events, with the overall points champion from the four events earning a guaranteed starting spot in Ohsweken Speedway’s Canadian Sprint Car Nationals.

Leading the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt forces across the international border is Portland, Michigan’s Dustin Daggett, who bested a field of 51 in last year’s Northern Summer Nationals event at Ohsweken.

Daggett, with three wins in four SOD tries thus far in 2011, holds a 92-point advantage over St. Johns, Michigan’s Ryan Grubaugh. Grubaugh, the defending series champion, picked off his first win of the season this past weekend at Cherry Raceway.

Cloverdale, Ohio’s Jared Horstman is currently third in series points, with Robert Huisken (Marne, MI) and two-time series champion Brett Mann (Goshen, IN), rounding out the current top five in points.

The balance of the current top ten in points includes Joe Bares (Traverse City, MI), Gregg Dalman (Bellevue, MI), Davey Brown (Eaton Rapids, MI), Matt Lumbert (Dowling, MI) and Marques Huffer (Eagle, MI).

Friday’s action at Ohsweken Speedway fires off at 7:45 p.m., with Saturday’s card at South Buxton Raceway going green at 7:00 p.m.

Ontario’s Ohsweken Speedway is located on the east edge of Brantford on PR 403 to Garden Avenue exit, then 3.3 miles south on CR 18, then 6.7 miles east on CR 54, then 1.5 miles south on Chiefswood Road. For more information, contact the track at 888-720-7223.

Also in Ontario, South Buxton International Raceway is 3.4 miles northeast of CR 7 in Merlin on CR 8 to South Buxton, then 0.2 miles south on CR 6. For more information, contact the track at 519-354-6827 or 519-689-7474 on race day.

The 32nd year of competition for the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP consists of 27 scheduled nights of action at 13 different tracks throughout Michigan, Ohio and Ontario.

The 2011 season marks the 20th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, with approximately 200 nights of competition at tracks throughout the nation and into Canada. Anchored by the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS also consists of ten different Regions throughout the nation.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

Daggett Dominates ASCS Sprints on Dirt at I-96!

T.J. Buffenbarger, LAKE ODESSA, Mich. (June 18, 2011) – Dustin Daggett completed a dominating performance at I-96 Speedway Saturday night by winning the main event and lapping up to second place. Daggett started sixth and after a tremendous start took the lead on lap two and never looked back.

“I’m not sure if it was the shock setup we had on the car or what, but it was really hooked up tonight,” said Daggett in victory lane. “I want to thank Miles Petroleum for helping put on the show at I-96 and my car owners Phil and Marty Mott for giving me this great opportunity.”

Robert Huisken and Joe Bares started on the front row for the 25-lap feature event. Bares moved into the lead on lap one with Daggett up to second. Daggett took the lead on the second circuit while Horstman dispatched Bares back to third while trying to keep pace with Daggett.

Behind the leaders Bears Gregg Dalman, Ryan Grubaugh, and Huisken raged a torrid battle for third position. Bares eventually pulled away from the dual while Rutan joined in. Then with 18 laps in Grubaugh suffered front end damang and pulled off the track without drawing a caution.

Horstman kept Daggett in sight through lapped traffic until lap 13 when Daggett made a daring three wide pass to open up a sizeable gap between himself and Horstman. Even with over a half track advantage Daggett never let up and lapped up to second with two laps to go. Daggett crossed the finsh line nearly ¾ of a lap ahead of Horstman, Bares, Ben Rutan from 11th, and Gregg Dalman.

Dustin Daggett, Ken Mackey, Mike Daggett, and Horstman won heat race events. Rutan won the dash after Blake Nimee penalized for jumping the start while Tim Champlin won the B-Main. Trey Smith flipped in hot laps, but his team was able to make repairs in time for Smith to compete in his heat race.

Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP Results
Saturday June 18, 2011
I-96 Speedway – Lake Odessa, MI

Heat Races (Top 16 Drivers in Passing Points Transfered to the “A” Feature)

Engler Machine and Tool Heat Race #1 (8 Laps): 1. 2m – Dustin Daggett, 2. 19 – Brett Mann, 3. 29s – Marques Huffer, 4. 61x – Don Smith, 5. 55 –Kirk Cheney, 6. 7 – Nic Rogers, 7. 11 – Trey Smith

Lane Automotive/Comp Cams Heat Race #2 (8 Laps): 1. 25m – Ken Mackey, 2. 91 – Joe Bares, 3. 97 – Blake Nimee, 4. 10 – Davey Brown, 5 . 20A – Andy Chewhowski, 6. 50M – Mike Burns, 7. 21 – Matt Lumbert

ARP Fasteners Heat Race #3 (8Laps): 1. 3w – Ryan Grubaugh, 2. 88 – Mike Daggett, 3. 46 – Robert Huisken, 4. 73 – Dustin Shriver, 5. Ryan Ruhl, 6. 10s – Jay Steinbach

Hoosier Racing Tire Heat Race #4 (8 Laps): 1. 17 – Jared Horstman, 2. 49t – Gregg Dalman, 3. 22 – Ben Rutan, 4. 8 Tim Champlin, 5. 31 – Andy Teunessen, 6. 70 – Jim Lingar.

Gaerte Engines Fast Car Dash (4 Laps): 1. 22 – Ben Rutan, 2. 29s – Marques Huffer, 3. 97 – Blake Nimee, 4. 88 – Mike Daggett (Finish determined starting positions 9-12 in the “A” Feature)

Engine Pro “B” Feature (Top Finishers Transferred to the “A” Feature): 1. 8 – Tim Champlin, 2. 55 – Kirk Cheney, 3. 73 – Dustin Shriver, 4. 7 – Nic Rogers, 5. 11 – Trey Smith, 6. 21 – Matt Lumbert, 7. 70 – Jim LIngar, 8. 50M – Mike burns, 9. 10s – Jay Stenbach. DNS: 16 – Ryan Ruhl.

Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by Victor Reinz “A” Main Event

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 2m – Dustin Daggett, 2. 17 – Jared Horstman, 3. 91 – Joe Bares, 4. 22 – Ben Rutan, 5. 49t – Gregg Dalman, 6. 25m – Ken Mackey, 7. 19 – Brett Mann, 8. 46 – Robert Huisken, 9. 97 – Blake Nimee, 10. 20 – Andy Chewhowski, 11. 88 – Mike Daggett, 12. 10 – Davey Brown, 13. 55 – Kirk Cheney, 14. 8 – Tim Champlin, 15. 31 – Andy Teunessen, 16. 73 – Dustin Shriver, 17. 29s – Marques Huffer, 18. 61x – Don Smith, 19. 7 – Nic Rogers, 20. 3w – Ryan Grubaugh.

Lap Leaders: Bares 1, Dustin Daggett 2-25.

Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP Points (Top Ten): 1. Dustin Daggett 584, 2. Ryan Grubaugh 557, 3. Robert Huisken 387, 4. Brett Mann 375, 5. Jared Horstman 368, 6. Matt Lumbert 363, 7. Joe Bares 354, 8. Davey Brown 341, 9. Shawn Dancer 337, 10. Gregg Dalman 335.

FIFE LAKE, Mich. (June 17, 2011) – A grandstand full of racing fans came out to Cherry Raceway on a beautiful Friday night in Northern Michigan to watch the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP and they did not leave disappointed as Ryan Grubaugh took the 25 lap caution free feature.

Grubaugh started from the pole with Dusty Shriver along side. At the drop of the green the 3w of Grubaugh jumped out front but 3rd starting Joe Bares found the bottom of the tacky surface and pulled even at lap one. Bares led lap two then it was Grubaughs turn.

As the leader came around turn four at the completion of lap five Grubaugh slipped over the cushion enabling Bares and Daggett to get around. From laps five to ten, action was wild with the lead cars running high and low swapping positions several times and by now passing lapped traffic.

At the 15th circuit the 3w was back in front with Daggett still in hot pursuit. Now the 7th and 8th starting cars of Brett Mann and Ben Rutan were moving up to 4th and 5th on the track. As the laps wound down racing was intense with Bares, Mann and Rutan as Daggett was still in 2nd but not letting Grubaugh out of his sights.

As Tim Bebee waved the white flag Grubaugh still had his hands full, now with brake troubles and Daggett close behind. But at the checkers it was Ryan Grubaugh over Dustin Daggett, Brett Mann, Ben Rutan and Joe Bares going green to checkers.

Heat races were won by Dustin Daggett, Brett Mann and Gary Fast. The 16 of Ryan Ruhl flipped in heat #2. He was not injured but was finished for the night.

Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP Results

Friday June 17 2011

Cherry Raceway – Fife Lake, Mich.

Heat Races:

Engler Machine and Tool Heat Race #1: 1. 2m Dustin Daggett, 2. 3w Ryan Grubaugh, 3. 22 Ben Rutan, 4. 46 Robert Huisken, 5. Tim Champlin, 6. Jim Lingar

Lane Automotive/Comp Cams Heat Race #2: 1. Brett Mann, 2. Kirk Cheney, 3. Dustin Shriver, 4. 21 Matt Lumbert, 5. 20a Andy Chehowski, 6. 16 Ryan Ruhl

ARP Fasteners Heat Race #3: 1. 14 Gary Fast, 2. Joe Bares, 3. 10 Davey Brown, 4. Jay Steinbach, 5. Marques Huffer

Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by Victor Reinz “A” Main Event

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 3w Ryan Grubaugh, 2. 2m Dustin Daggett, 3. 19 Brett Mann, 4. 22 Ben Rutan, 5. 91 Joe Bares, 6. 10 Davey Brown, 7. 14 Gary Fast, 8. 8 Tim Champlin, 9. 73 Dustin Shriver, 10. 55 Kirk Cheney, 11. 20A Andy Chehowski, 12. 10s Jay Steinbach, 13. 21 Matt Lumbert, 14. 70 Jim Lingar, 15. 29s Marques Huffer. DNS: 46 Robert Huisken, 16 Ryan Ruhl.

Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP Points (Top Ten): 1. Dustin Daggett 584, 2. Ryan Grubaugh 557, 3. Robert Huisken 387, 4. Brett Mann 375, 5. Jared Horstman 368, 6. Matt Lumbert 363, 7. Joe Bares 354, 8. Davey Brown 341, 9. Shawn Dancer 337, 10. Gregg Dalman 335.