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SOD MAHLE/Clevite BLC Championship at Manistee County Fairgrounds Friday

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.
manistee
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.
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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.




Joe Swanson Tops SOD Driven Racing Oil Battlegrounds Bash at Butler Motor Speedway

Butler top 3Jay 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 2nd 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 1st 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 3rd and finished 4th.  Irwin started 22nd and charged to a 6th 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

Group Time # Driver
Engler Machine & Tool Heat 13.337 16 Ryan Ruhl
COMP Cams Heat 13.272 19Z Doug Zimmerman
RockAuto.com Heat 14.008 10S Jay Steinebach

Heat Races – Winners $100 each

Engler Machine & Tool Heat #1
  # Driver Contingency
1 16 Ryan Ruhl
2 4T Josh Turner Kistler Racing Products
3 1a Mark Aldrich Racing Optics
4 7Z Zach Hampton
5 20A Andy Chehowski
6 27K Ryan Kirkendall
7 58 Tony Bures
8 0 Steve Irwin
9 5QB Quentin Blonde

 

COMP Cams Heat #2
  # Driver Contingency
1 27B Boston Mead
2 5B Chad Blonde Allstar Performance
3 7J Joe Swanson Racing Optics
4 19Z Doug Zimmerman
5 49T Gregg Dalman
6 10J Chris Jones
7 39 Tylar Rankin
8 6 Tyler Bearden
9 91L Lexi Adgate

 

RockAuto.com Heat #3
  # Driver Contingency
1 41 Thomas Schinderle
2 10s Jay Steinebach Kistler Racing Products
3 9E Tim Evilsizer Racing Optics
4 27 Shelby Bilton
5 21T Troy Chehowski
6 8 Justin Ward
7 47 Robert Bulloch
8 3G John Gurley
DNS 52 Zac Broughman

Feature

  # Driver Start Contingencies
1 7J Joe Swanson 1 Rod End Supply
2 10s Jay Steinebach 4 Rod End Supply
3 16 Ryan Ruhl 5 Rod End Supply
4 27B Boston Mead 3 Schoenfeld Headers
5 41 Thomas Schinderle 8 ATL Racing Fuel Cells
6 0 Steve Irwin 22
7 4T Josh Turner 6 Allstar Performance
8 5B Chad Blonde 9
9 1a Mark Aldrich 7 King Racing Products
10 19Z Doug Zimmerman 11
11 49T Gregg Dalman 14 Keizer Aluminum Wheels
12 7Z Zach Hampton 10
13 9E Tim Evilsizer 2
14 21T Troy Chehowski 15
15 10J Chris Jones 17
16 8 Justin Ward 18
17 27K Ryan Kirkendall 16
18 58 Tony Bures 19
19 47 Robert Bulloch 21
20 39 Tylar Rankin 20
21 6 Tyler Bearden 23
22 27 Shelby Bilton 12
23 20A Andy Chehowski 13

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.




Driven Racing Oil Battlegrounds Bash Race #2 for SOD Saturday at Butler

Butler Driven BB 4 inch x 4 inch

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 6th 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 2nd place finishes at Butler this season.  Last Friday, Blonde won the King Engine Bearings King of Michigan race at Hartford Speedway and Ruhl finished 2nd.

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 12th.

Driven Racing Oil Battlegrounds Bash points
Car # Driver Points
1 5B Chad Blonde 150
2 71H/16 Ryan Ruhl 142
3 41 Thomas Schinderle 135
4 49T Gregg Dalman 130
5 10S Jay Steinebach 125
6 4 Josh Turner 122
7 0 Steve Irwin 119
8 1A Mark Aldrich 116
9 10J Chris Jones 113
10 27K Ryan Kirkendall 110
11 20A Andy Chehowski 108
12 5QB Quentin blonde 106
13 71H Ryan Grubaugh 104
14 46 Robert Huisken 102
15 7R Nic Rogers 100
16 21T Troy Chehowski 98
17 7J Joe Swanson 96
18 27B Boston Mead 94
19 17x Dain Naida 92
20 19 Doug Zimmerman 90
21 47 Robert Bullock 89
22 18 DJ Lamance 88
23 77 Andrew Scheid 87
24 6 Tyler Beardon 80

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.




Steve Irwin Up to SOD’s MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge at Crystal

Newt, Steve, NateCar owner Adrianna Irwin, BLC winner Steve Irwin, crew chief (2016 XYZ Machining Crew Chief of the Year) Nathan Whitney

Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP 2001 champion Steve Irwin drove his familiar Flying Zero, Krieger Engine powered Maxim to the win in the exciting MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge Race #3 at Crystal Motor Speedway last night.

Starting outside, front row, the Fenton, Michigan, SOD point leader took the lead at the start over pole starter Brad Lamberson.  Irwin maintained a small lead for five laps before 2015 SOD champion Gregg Dalman charged around Lamberson and then Irwin for first.  Dalman was clearly the class of the field and opened up a commanding lead.  Meanwhile, Jay Steinebach’s hard work paid off as he grabbed second from Irwin and began closing in on Dalman who had to contend with heavy traffic as the race wound down.

Steinebach was just four car length behind Dalman when he made hard contact with the outside wall at the flag stand completing lap nineteen.  Steinebach ended up against the wall facing turn four with a flat right front tire bringing out the caution flag and ending his impressive drive.

With five laps to go, Dalman had early leader Irwin behind him and things dramatically changed.  It was clear that Dalman’s handing had gone south as Irwin charged into the lead and drove away.  Dalman continued to struggle as first Thomas Schinderle, then Shawn Valenti passed him also.  Schinderle narrowed Irwin’s lead and pulled alongside the leader once, but it was a wakeup call for the leader as he opened up a small lead and was in complete command at the end.

Irwin (Engler Machine & Tool heat) and Valenti (COMP Cams heat) drove to convincing heat wins.  Early engine wows turned leading SOD sprint car rookie of the year into a spectator for the entire program.

Irwin now leads the MAHLE/Clevite BLC points over Schinderle, Dalman, Chris Jones, and Robert Bulloch.  He also leads SOD championship points over Dalman, Schinderle, Jones, and Robert Huisken.

Heat Races – Winners $100 each

Engler Machine & Tool Heat #1
  # Driver Contingency
1 0 Steve Irwin
2 10s Jay Steinebach Kistler Racing Products
3 49T Gregg Dalman Racing Optics
4 41 Thomas Schinderle
5 8 Justin Ward
6 10J Chris Jones
7 2K Matt Kinzinger
8 24 Eric Smith
9 58 Tony Bures
DNS 77 Andrew Scheid

 

COMP Cams Heat #2
  # Driver Contingency
1 7 Shawn Valenti
2 27 Brad Lamberson Allstar Performance
3 9E Tim Evilsizer Racing Optics
4 3A Mike Astrauskas
5 89 Chris Pobanz
6 47 Robert Bulloch
7 91 Lexi Adgate
8 6 Tyler Bearden
9 31 Tanner Astrauskas

Feature

  # Driver Start Contingencies
1 0 Steve Irwin 2 Rod End Supply
2 41 Thomas Schinderle 8 Rod End Supply
3 7 Shawn Valenti 7 Rod End Supply
4 49T Gregg Dalman 4 Schoenfeld Headers
5 27 Brad Lamberson 1 ATL Racing Fuel Cells
6 9E Tim Evilsizer 3
7 10J Chris Jones 11 Allstar Performance
8 3A Mike Astrauskas 5
9 89 Chris Pobanz 10 King Racing Products
10 8 Justin Ward 9
11 47 Robert Bulloch 12 Keizer Aluminum Wheels
12 91 Lexi Adgate 14
13 58 Tony Bures 17
14 6 Tyler Bearden 16
15 31 Tanner Astrauskas 18
16 10s Jay Steinebach 6
17 2K Matt Kinzinger 13
18 24 Eric Smith 15
DNS 77 Andrew Scheid

KSE Racing Products Hard Charger – Thomas Schinderle (+6)
BR Motorsports Contingency (feature top 10 draw) – Shawn Valenti
DMI (Diversified Machine) Contingency (feature 12-16 draw) – Tyler Bearden
Perfit Corporation Lucky Dog – Chris Jones

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.




Chad Blonde Wins Hartford King Engine Bearings KoM Battle

Top 3 in pitsShawn Valenti (3rd), winner Chad Blonde, Ryan Ruhl (2nd)

Chad Blonde picked up his fourth Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP feature win of 2017 Friday night. It was his second King Engine Bearings King of Michigan series win at Hartford Motor Speedway and gives him a commanding lead in the KoM points.

Delta Ohio’s Shawn Valenti took the lead over pole-sitter Linden Jones at the start of the feature from the outside front row before Mark Aldrich took over second.  Then leading SOD sprint car rookie Andrew Scheid climbed the wall in turn three as the leaders completed lap one; with his car staying upright, Scheid slid along the top of the wall before dropping off the back of the wall and coming to a stop with what appeared to be nothing more than two bent front radius rods.  Before another lap could be completed, Robert Huisken and D. J. Lamance tangled in turn three with Huisken flipping hard.  Both drivers were okay, but their cars sustained heavy damage.

Back under green, Valenti held a small lead over Aldrich until Ryan Ruhl took over second on lap 5, and a lap later, Blonde moved into third from his seventh starting spot.  Blonde took second place on lap 7, then a caution for Austin Nemire’s shredded left rear tire on lap ten gave the leaders a clear track.  A crowd-pleasing battle followed, as Blonde pulled alongside Valenti twice, but Valenti found his groove and began opening up his lead.  However, the leaders got into traffic again on lap fifteen.  Valenti struggled with lapped cars and on lap 19, Blonde took the lead and drove away.  Ryan Ruhl charged into second on lap twenty-one as Valenti continued to have trouble in heavy traffic.  Blonde then cruised to a fifteen car-length over Ruhl and Valenti.

26 cars were on hand for the second of four King Engine Bearings King of Michigan races at Hartford Motor Speedway

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

Group Time # Driver
Engler Machine & Tool Heat 15.139 0 Steve Irwin
COMP Cams Heat 14.652 7 Shawn Valenti
RockAuto.com Heat 14.864 5b Chad Blonde

Heat Races – Winners $100 each

Engler Machine & Tool Heat #1
  # Driver Contingency
1 1a Mark Aldrich
2 0 Steve Irwin Kistler Racing Products
3 19J Linden Jones Racing Optics
4 20A Andy Chehowski
5 18 D. J. Lamance
6 47 Robert Bulloch
DNF 71H Ryan Grubaugh
DNF 27B Boston Mead
DNS 8 Justin Ward

 

COMP Cams Heat #2
  # Driver Contingency
1 7 Shawn Valenti
2 49t Gregg Dalman Allstar Performance
3 71 Ryan Ruhl Racing Optics
4 2+ Brian Smith
5 77z Zane Devault
6 46 Robert Huisken
7 10J Chris Jones
DNS 11 Trey Smith
DNS 12 Chris Gurley

 

RockAuto.com Heat #3
  # Driver Contingency
1 5b Chad Blonde
2 41 Thomas Schinderle Kistler Racing Products
3 77 Andrew Scheid Racing Optics
4 16 Austin Nemire
5 6 Tyler Bearden
6 70 Eli Lakin
7 89 Chris Pobanz
8 19 Brett Mann

Feature

  # Driver Start Contingencies
1 5b Chad Blonde 7 Rod End Supply
2 71 Ryan Ruhl 8 Rod End Supply
3 7 Shawn Valenti 2 Rod End Supply
4 49t Gregg Dalman 3 Schoenfeld Headers
5 0 Steve Irwin 5 ATL Racing Fuel Cells
6 41 Thomas Schinderle 9
7 2+ Brian Smith 11 Allstar Performance
8 77z Zane Devault 14
9 1a Mark Aldrich 4 King Racing Products
10 20A Andy Chehowski 10
11 27B Boston Mead 19 Keizer Aluminum Wheels
12 19J Linden Jones 1
13 10J Chris Jones 18
14 6 Tyler Bearden 15
15 47 Robert Bulloch 16
16 12 Chris Gurley 20
17 16 Austin Nemire 12
18 18 D. J. Lamance 13
19 46 Robert Huisken 17
20 70 Eli Lakin 21
21 77 Andrew Scheid 6

KSE Racing Products Hard Charger – Boston Mead (+8)
BR Motorsports Contingency (feature top 10 draw) – Shawn Valenti
DMI (Diversified Machine) Contingency (feature 12-16 draw) – Chris Jones
Perfit Corporation Lucky Dog – Eli Lakin

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.