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FORT WAYNE, IN (February 14, 2019) – Long-time Sprints On Dirt partner MAHLE Aftermarket has returned for 2019 as the title sponsor of the SOD hard charger award.

The MAHLE Aftermarket Hard Charger Award is a new role for the company.  Previously MAHLE was sponsor of the MAHLE/Clevite Short Track Challenge, then the MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge from 2016 through 2018.

The MAHLE Aftermarket Hard Charger in each 2019 Sprints On Dirt race will award $50 to the driver who advances the most positions from their original starting position in the A-main.  2018 SOD Champion Chad Blonde was hard charger four times to lead all drivers last year.

Ted Hughes, MAHLE Aftermarket Inc., Marketing North America stated: “The MAHLE commitment to performance on tracks and roads around the world is evident in all of the vehicles we help power – nowhere is this more evident than in great American grass roots series like Sprints on Dirt where the passion of the American racer is captured week in and week out.”

John Naida, Sprints On Dirt Director of Operation, announced MAHLE’s return, stating: “SOD is proud of our long-time partnership with MAHLE.  The MAHLE brand has provided high quality products for several generations of racers and SOD is honored to share our success with MAHLE once again.”

MAHLE products are used in every second automobile around the world; this is no wonder since the company is one of the 30 largest automotive suppliers and one of the top 3 systems providers. Almost all automobile and engine manufacturers work with MAHLE when dealing with piston systems, cylinder components, valve trains, air management, and fluid management systems.  The MAHLE Aftermarket division transfers this knowledge to our partners in retail, repair shops, and engine rebuilders—and of course into the corresponding products.

To learn all about MAHLE Aftermarket, visit https://www.mahle-aftermarket.com/na/en/ and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MAHLE_AM_NA.

Get all the latest Sprint On Dirt information at www.sprintsondirt.com and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sprintsondirt/.

Fort Wayne, IN (January 25, 2019) – Jody Prince has been named Sprints On Dirt Media Director and Official Photographer for all SOD races in 2019.

For several years, Prince has been making a name for himself in racing photography, exhibiting the touch it takes to capture those special moments in the sport.

Prince said: “Since June 2016, I’ve had the pleasure ofbeing the official photographer for Baer Field Motorsports Park.  Thanks to Dave and Jody Muzzillo’s continuing support, I will be taking the next step in my career and traveling with their newly acquired series Sprints On Dirt.  I am very excited for this transition and also look forward to working with SOD and all the teams.”

John Naida, SOD Director of Operations, said: “SOD is very fortunate to have Jody join us.  His work speaks for itself and he will do a great job with our strong media presence and taking it to a new level for our competitors, marketing partners, fans, and promoters.”

Check out the Jody Prince Photography Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/jodyprincephoto/.  Get all the latest SOD news at www.sprintsondirt/ and the SOD Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/sprintsondirt/.

ERIE, MI (January 20, 2019) – As the 2019 season fast approaches, another date has been added to the Sprints On Dirt schedule.  After a twenty-year absence, SOD will return to Indiana’s Gas City I-69 Speedway on Friday, June 14. The race will give SOD competitors a convenient two-day weekend, travelling up I-69 to Butler Motor Speedway Saturday.  More details about the weekend will be released later.

Located approximately 70 miles north of Indianapolis, Gas City I-69 Speedway opened in1986.  After operating for a few years, the track went dormant until 1996, the speedway then enjoyed a successful 18-year run.  Then, for several years, various promoters rented the facility for special events only.

Motorsports executive Jerry Gappens, a Kokomo, Indiana, native, leased the facility in 2018 and returned to a full season schedule of weekly racing and special events.  Gappens has brought new vitality to the racy quarter-mile dirt oval.

Mark Broughman, father of SOD competitor Zac Broughman, won the last SOD race at Gas City on Friday, September 24, 1999.  SOD was scheduled at the speedway on Friday, May 21, 2010, but was rained out. The current 2019 SOD schedule can be found at www.sprintsondirt.com.

ERIE, MI (January 18, 2019) – As the 2019 Sprints On Dirt season is fast approaching, there have been questions and rumors regarding SOD rules. A quick answer to what has changed is: “not much.” Below are key rules we have been asked about regarding cars.

TIRES – Unchanged. Right Rear Tire: Hoosier Racing Tire 100/13.0-15, medium compound. Left Rear Tire: Hoosier Racing Tire 92/12.5-15, D15 compound. Front Tires: Hoosier Racing Tires only.

ENGINE – Unchanged. No restrictions. Engines may be pumped for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of SOD rules. Any competitor who refuses to have their engine pumped when directed to do so will be disqualified and lose all points and money for the race program.

WEIGHT – Unchanged. Cars are weighed for the purpose of evaluating car safety (see section 2.1) and the effectiveness of SOD rules. Any competitor who refuses to have their car weighed when directed to do so will be disqualified, will lose all points and money for the race program, and the car may be banned.

MUFFLERS – Unchanged. Unaltered mufflers or inserts are required at all tracks.

FRAME – Cage support bars are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for 2019 and will be mandatory for 2020. See rule book for details.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES – Unchanged. See rule book for approved devices. Other devices are not allowed unless prior written approval has been given. Unapproved devices will be confiscated. This includes all devices that use any power such as batteries, internal power supplies, wind-up, etc.

TOP WING – Unchanged. No wicker bill permitted on center foil unless center foil is totally flat. If flat, a one-inch wicker bill is allowed.

We have also been asked about some procedural rules.

STARTS/RESTARTS – All starts and restarts are at the turn 4 cone as utilized at the end of last season. See rule book for details.

ROOKIES OF THE YEAR – Series Rookie of the Year candidates are drivers who have competed in no more than a total of six previous SOD points races. The rookie driver who finishes highest in total points will determine the SOD Series Rookie of the Year. Sprint Car Rookie of the Year candidates are drivers who have competed in no more than a total of six previous full-size sprint car races anywhere. The rookie driver who finishes highest in total points will determine the SOD Sprint Car Rookie of the Year.

YEAR-END PAYOUT – Points won as a SOD member who has not missed more than 3 points races will determine eligibility for year-end points payouts, awards, and contingencies at the season banquet. Driver must attend banquet.

The full 2019 Sprints On Dirt Rule Book is available under the Competitor Info tab at www.SprintsOnDirt.com. Questions and comments should be emailed to director@sprintsondirt.com.

ERIE, MI (December 18, 2018) – Baer Field Motorsports Park promoter Dave Muzzillo announced that Sprints On Dirt will headline the Jim Lipkey Memorial race as dirt track racing returns for one event on the 1/4 mile track in 2019 on Saturday, September 28.

Late Baer Field owner William James “Jim” Lipkey, 69, Kokomo, died October 14, 2018, after losing his battle with mesothelioma cancer. Jim joined the Army’s war effort in Vietnam and honed his sign painting artistry as the base sign painter, pin striping and air brushing flight crews’ helmets as well as recording “kill counts” on their helicopters and planes!

On returning from the war, he opened Lipkey’s Sign Service andfor the next 40 years became known statewide as the man who could hand paintthe best signs on buildings, race cars, trucks and everything else his customersasked for. He even pinstriped his father’s and brother’s caskets!

The Lipkey family, Bill and sons Victor and Jim, promoted auto racing at Kokomo, Lafayette and Fort Wayne – both indoors at the Fort Wayne Coliseum and later at Baer Field Race Track, now known as Baer Field Motorsports Park.  When Jim’s father Bill Lipkey died in 1999, Jim took over as owner of the Baer Field property

The first race on the Baer Field Motorsports Park new ¼ mile track was originally scheduled for Saturday, May 20, 2017.  Unfortunately, very heavy rains turned the track into something more like “Baer Lake,” but the track crew wouldn’t give up and surprisingly was able to get the track in shape for the Sunday rain date.  Shawn Valenti, in his Log Cabin Tavern / Triple X Chassis entry, held off Joe Swanson to take home the win.  Swanson settled for second and Landon Simon was third.

Full details about the Jim Lipkey Memorial Race will be released later.

Visit Baer Field Motorsports Park at www.baerfieldmotorpark.com and on Facebook.  Sprints On Dirt can be found at www.sprintsondirt.com and Facebook also.