By T.J. Buffenbarger

Marne, MI – (September 24, 2013) – Dustin Daggett had one of the most memorable feature victories of his career Tuesday night winning the first Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP feature on dirt at the Berlin Raceway.  Daggett ran down early Shane Stewart and took the lead on lap 20 and held on after a late race restart, rim riding to victory.  The win was worth $5,000 to cap on Daggett’s fourth SOD championship.

“This is pretty cool to win the first dirt sprint car race at Berlin,” said Daggett pit side after his victory.  “I was so excited to be able to catch (Shane Stewart), it looked like he was having some trouble in lapped traffic and my car was a rocket on the top side, and we were able to get around (Stewart) and hold him off on that restart.”

Shane Dancer and Greg Wilson started on the front row for the 30-lap feature.  Dancer jumped into the lead at the start with the first caution flag appear after lap one when Ken Mackey slowed in turn one with front end damage.

Dancer continued to lead after the restart, but all eyes initially were on Shane Stewart making moves through the field.  After Shane disposed of Beau Stewart for third  after the restart he passed Greg Wilson for second position on  lap four.   Stewart then ran down Dancer as he approached slower traffic, racing two and three wide through the slower cars before taking the lead on lap eight.

Behind Stewart Daggett had found the top side of the race track and was moving through the field.  Daggett passed Greg Wilson on lap nine and Dancer for second on lap 12.  At that point Stewart had built up a full straightaway lead. That advantage dwindled quickly as Daggett reeled in Stewart using the extreme top side of the speedway, finally taking the lead with a three wide more through traffic on lap 19.

Daggett continued to pull away until the caution appeared for Ryan Ruhl spinning in turn four after making contact with the wall with 26 laps completed.  This sent the slower traffic to the tail of the field and put Stewart and company right back on Daggett’s back bumper.  Daggett was up for the challenge and motored away over the final four laps to victory.  Wilson’s last ditch efford to claim second position was thwarted with Stewart held onto the runner up position. Wilson, Lucas Wolfe, and Dancer rounded out the top five.

Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP
Berlin Raceway – Marne, MI
Tuesday September 24, 2013

Hoosier Racing Tire Heat Race #1 (8 Laps):  1. Greg Wilson, 2. Gregg Dalman, 3. Ryan Ruhl, 4. Lucas Wolfe, 5. Chris Pobanz, 6. Brett Mann, 7. Joe Geibe, 8. Ralph Brakenberry, . 9. Eric Smith

All Star Performance / Comp Cams Heat Race #2 (8 Laps):  1. Jared Horstman, 2. Shawn Dancer, 3. Ken Mackey, 4. Andy Teuneasen, 5. Dusty Shriver, 6. Chase Ridenour, 7. Robert Huisken, 8. Jay Steinbach,  9.   Randy Hannagan

Speed Pro Heat Race #3 (8 Laps):  1. Shane Stewart, 2. Beau Stewart, 3. Dustin Daggett, 4. Bill Jacoby, 5. Max Stambaugh, 6. Parker Price-Miller, 7. Aaron Shaffer, 8. Mike Astrauskas, 9. Mark Strpko.

(Top 16 in passing points after the heat races were locked into the “A-Main”)

Nitro Black Dash (4 Laps): 1. Max Stambaugh, 2. Ryan Ruhl, 3. Gregg Dalman, 4. Ken Mackey.  (Determined starting positions 9-12 in the “A-Main”)

B-Feature (12 Laps):  1. Parker Price-Miller, 2. Randy Hannagan, 3. Aaron Shaffer, 4. Robert Huisken, 5. Jay Steinbach, 6. Chase Ridenour, 7. Mike Astrauskas, 8. Joe Geibe, 9. Mark Strpko, 10. Ralph Brakenberry, 11. Eric Smith.    (First eight finishers transferred to the “A-Main”)

Engine Pro A-Main (30 Laps):  1. Dustin Daggett, 2. Shane Stewart, 3. Greg Wilson, 4. Lucas Wolfe, 5. Shawn Dancer, 6. Randy Hannagan, 7. Beau Stewart, 8. Jared Horstman, 9. Max Stambaugh, 10. Brett Mann, 11. Gregg Dalman, 12. Parker Price-Miller, 13. Andy Teunessen, 14. Dusty Shriver, 15. Bill Jacoby, 16. Aaron Shaffer, 17. Chase Ridenour, 18. Jay Steinbach, 19. Robert Huisken, 20. Joe Geibe, 21. Ryan Ruhl, 22. Chris Pobanz, 23. Mike Astrauskas, 24. Ken Mackey.

By Mike Strevel

In front of a very supportive and cold Michigan crowd; the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt Presented by ARP feature was picked up by Dustin Daggett of Grand Ledge,MI who captured his sixth feature win of the 2013 season at Tri City Motor Speedway in Auburn,MI In addition to the $2,000 first place payout Daggett also clinched his fourth championship of his storied career.

A field of 20 winged sprint cars signed in to be a part of the season championship races supported by Ferrea Racing Components. Daggett used an outside front row starting position to his advantage leading all 25 laps of the feature. The now four time SOD champion held off mid-race challenges from Ryan Ruhl and a late race challenge by Gregg Dalman. Only two cautions slowed the feature one being on the second lap and the other on the final circuit of the feature. The champion driver Daggett credited his hard working Mott Motorsports crew for giving him a great handling car for the night to capture the victory and fourth championship of his sprint car career.

The top five finishers of the evening for the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt Presented by ARP feature were Daggett, Ruhl, Dalman, Chris Jones and Troy Chehowski.
Heat race wins were captured by John Gall,Daggett, and Jay Steinbach, the Nitro Black Dash went to Dalman and the Engine Pro Lucky Dog winner was Eric Smith.

Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt Presented by ARP Results-
Saturday September 21, 2013
Tri City Motor Speedway–Auburn, MI
Car Count 20
Heat Races (Top 16 in passing points transfer to the “A” Feature)
Hoosier Racing Tire Heat Race #1 (8 laps): 1. 81 John Gall, 2. 31 Andy Teunessen, 3. 10j Chris Jones, 4. 14 Brad Lamberson, 5. 44j Bill Jacoby, 6. 4 Eric Smith, 7. 46 Robert Huisken.
Allstar Performance/Comp Cams Heat Race #2 (8 Laps): 1. 2m Dustin Daggett, 2. 16 Ryan Ruhl, 3. 49t Gregg Dalman, 4. 21t Troy Chehowski, 5. 19 Brett Mann, 6. 20a Andy Chehowski, 7. 89 Chris Pobanz
Speed Pro Heat Race #3 (8 Laps): 1. 10s Jay Steinbach, 2. 23g Joe Geibe, 3. 187 Gavin Hunyady, 4. 27k Ryan Kirkendall, 5. 2t Ralph Brakenberry 6. 22t Tank Brakenberry

Nitro Black Dash 1. 49t Gregg Dalman 2.21t Troy Chehowski 3. 187 Gavin Hunyady 4. 27k Ryan Kirkendall
Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt Presented by ARP “A” Feature
“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 2M Dustin Daggett, 2. 16 Ryan Ruhl, 3. 49t Gregg Dalman, 4. 10J Chris Jones, 5. 21T Troy Chehowski, 6.31 Andy Teunessen, 7. 10s Jay Steinbach, 8. 81 John Gall, 9. 187 Gavin Hunyady, 10. 19 Brett Mann, 11. 89 Chris Pobanz,12.44j Bill Jacoby 13. 20a Andy Chehowski,14. 23g Joe Geibe, 15.14 Brad Lamberson 16.27k Ryan Kirkendall 17. 22t Tank Brakenberry 18. 4 Eric Smith, 19. 2T Ralph Brakenberry, DNS 46 Robert Huisken

Engine Pro Lucky Dog-Eric Smith

Contingencies

Note to competitors that the pit area at Berlin Raceway opens Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.

There will be an open practice on Thursday from 5PM-8PM, Gates opne at 3PM and pit passes are $20.00. Sprint cars in preperation for the Tuesday SOD show are also welcome to practice.

There will also be a post practice Pig Roast provided by Keyser Manufacturing for anyone who has a pit pass. That will be located in the chalet near the outside pits

The Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt Presented by ARP and Tri City Motor Speedway are excited to announce the signing of a title sponsor for the Saturday September 21 event.
Ferrea Engine Valves has signed on as the title sponsor of this second annual race at the Auburn, MI 3/8 mile oval. With the support of this great new sponsor the championship crowning race will pay $2,000 to the victor and an increased payout for the entire A-Main feature field.

Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt Series Director Mike Strevel stated “With the incredible support of partners like Ferrea and Engine Pro it has been possible to once again increase the purse of an already important race.” This is sure to add additional entries to the final point’s event of the 2013 season” Strevel mentioned.

Tri-City Motor Speedway Promoter Steve Puvalowski would like to thank Ferrea, Engine Pro and SOD for allowing him to host the Season Championship for the 2nd year in a row. “We look forward to seeing the top of the line Sprint Car Drivers come battle for their championship. It is great to have Ferrea come on board to make this show a success.” Puvalowski said.

The Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt is currently competing in its 34th consecutive season of sanctioning 360 winged sprint car racing in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Ontario. Additional information regarding the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP is available at www.sprintsondirt.com.

Ferrea Racing Engine Valves
For Over 45 Years Ferrea has been manufacturing hard core racing engine valves and components for various types of engines in a wide range of categories worldwide. Ferrea uses the latest technological advances gained through the development of engine valve programs for Formula 1, Indy Car, NASCAR, Sprint Car, Drag and Road racing teams. This technology allows Ferrea to provide the highest level of performance and reliability for their customers. Ferrea’s association with many of the industry’s leading head manufactures has given them the opportunity to implement these race proven high quality designs for all categories of racing.