Photo by Thomas Michael

On a night when rain was a persistent threat, Ryan Ruhl drove to the win in the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP Jim Coffey & Son Plumbing & Heating Dirty 30 portion of the NUVU Fuels Dual On Dirt.  Ruhl mastered the 26 car field by being the fastest overall qualifier, dominating the Engler heat, and taking home the SOD Big Money check of $2,000 for winning the feature.

Although rain wiped out several other Michigan race events, it didn’t stop I-96 Speedway’s near-capacity crowd from the rare opportunity to see two headline classes, the Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP and the American Ethanol Late Model Tour in one event.  The show was a real crowd pleaser as light rain fell for hours during the program, but never enough to stop the action.

Ruhl, in his familiar blue #16, showed his strength early, being the Lane Automotive/MSD Ignition Fast Master in the Engler Machine & Tool Heat group.  He then drove from his 4^th place heat race starting position to an easy win.  Not to be outdone, Chad Blonde showed his strength by taking the COMP Cams heat.  Steve Irwin took the RockAuto.com heat from 3^rd.

Eric Smith suffered mechanical woes early in the program as did Brad Lamberson and Thomas Schinderle keeping them out of competition.

Jay Steinebach overcame heat problems to take the B-Main from his 6^th place starting position.

Gregg Dalman took the early lead in the feature over pole sitter Chris Jones.  By lap 6, Chad Blonde was on the move taking 2^nd and setting sail after Dalman.  Blonde took the lead on lap 12 and looked like the car to beat.  Dain Naida spun off of turn four on lap 15 just after moving into the top 5 from 10^th.  At half way it was Blonde, Dalman, Ruhl, Boston Mead, and Joe Swanson.  Two laps later, Chris Jones race ending when he flipped off the back straight. A lap later, Ruhl, who started 9^th, snatched the lead from Blonde. Brett Mann spun in turn 4 on the next lap and rookie Andrew Scheid was collected by Mann and flipped hard, ending a frustrating night for him.  After refueling during the red for Scheid, Steve Irwin, who was in 4^th, dropped out with engine problems.  Back under green, Ruhl charged to win with Blonde staying within striking distance, but not able to mount a serious challenge.

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

Heat Races – Winners $100 each

B-Main

Feature

KSE Racing Products Hard Charger – Ryan Ruhl (8)
BR Motorsports Contingency (feature top 10 draw) – Jay Steinebach
DMI (Diversified Machine) Contingency (feature 12-16 draw) – Andy Chehowski
Perfit Corporation Lucky Dog – Steve Irwin

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, and XYZ Machining.  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.

Today (Friday, May 26th) is Race Day! The Inaugural NUVU Fuels Dual On Dirt is at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan featuring the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP & American Ethanol Late Model Tour together in one gigantic show.

The Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP will be making their one and only appearance in 2017 at I-96. One season ago, Max Stambaugh, now a Rookie of the Year title contender with the Arctic Car All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars, went to victory lane. in 2015, it was Ryan Ruhl, the 2007 SOD Rookie of the Year and five-time SOD Champion, Dustin Daggett taking the checkered flags first. This event is the 86th all-time appearance by SOD at the Lake Odessa, Michigan speed plant.

Schedule of Events – Friday, May 26th, 2017 – I-96 Speedway – Lake Odessa, Michigan
2:00p.m.   Pit Gates Open – SOD & AELMT Pill Draw Open
5:00p.m.   Grandstands Open – SOD & AELMT Pill Draw Close
5:15p.m.   SOD & AELMT Drivers Meeting
5:30p.m.   SOD Engine Heat (on-track)

6:00p.m.   AELMT Hot Laps
SOD Hot Laps
AELMT Qualifying
SOD Qualifying (single car by heat order)

7:55p.m.   Pre-Race Ceremonies
8:00p.m.   AELMT Heat Races (10)
SOD Heat Races (8)
Redraw (on front straight)
AELMT Last Chance Race(s) (12-15)
SOD Last Chance Race(s) (10)

Intermission

AELMT B-Main (20)
SOD A-Main (30)
AELMT A-Main (40)

Click on the link provided for more event information: DualOnDirt.com

Click on the link provided to follow live timing and scoring, via MCRP & Race Monitor:
motorcityracing.co/livetiming

Follow SOD on Twitter with exclusive live updates for the Sprints throughout Race Day at: Twitter.com/SprintsOnDirt

Like SOD on Facebook for pictures and more from behind the scenes throughout Race Day at: Facebook.com/SprintsOnDirt

After being rained out Saturday, Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP headlined the first-ever race on Fort Wayne, Indian’s Baer Field Motorsports Park new dirt track on Sunday night for the first race of SOD’s MAHLE/Clevite Beyond KLimits Challenge five-race series.  Numerous facts about the event make it a truly historical event for both Baer Field Motorsports Park and Sprints On Dirt.

New ¼ mile trrack
The track crew put out a massive effort to make sure the Sunday race could take place.  Several inches of rain resulted in the track being referred to as “Baer Lake” Sunday morning, then more rain came.  The infield was pumped out and against all odds, the track was prepped for racing.  Promoter Dave Muzzillo could have easily thrown in the towel, but was determined to get the race in.

Andrew Scheid

Thirteen-year-old Andrew Scheid, SOD sprint car rookie of the year contender, raced a full-size sprint for the first time and drew many compliments.  After qualifying seventh in his heat group, Scheid finished last in his heat.  He then grabbed a fourth in the B Main to advance to the feature where he finished eighteenth, dropping out early in consideration of the fast field.  Andrew dodged a few incidents that developed in front of him.  He even executed a successful 360 degree spin to avoid a car that had spun to a stop in front of him.

Scheid has extensive racing experience and numerous wins in karts and lightning sprints.

Diverse field
The SOD “beyond limits” format continues to have broad appeal for race teams from many segments of sprint car racing.

Winner Valenti and Dan McCarron are currently regulars in the 410 class at Attica Raceway Park and Fremont Speedway.  Valenti has has had great success in thunderstocks and dirt trucks in Ohio and Indiana.

2nd-place finisher Joe Swanson, 5^th place Steve Irwin, and 6^th place Brad Wyatt have had success in winged sprint pavement racing.  Irwin has won pavement championships and #71H car owner Steve Smith has also won pavement championships as an owner.

3^rd place Landon Simon is a successful USAC competitor who ran his first winged sprint race Sunday.  Irwin and Wyatt also have extensive non-wing experience.

4^th place Thomas Schinderle previously raced modifieds, then was a regular in the Attica/Fremont FAST 305 class.

Matt Prieur

SOD rookie announcer Matt Prieur got his first SOD race in Sunday.  The former World of Outlaws late model announcer is also the announcer for the American Ethanol Late Model Tour, the American Ethanol Modified Tour, and occasional pavement races.

Prieur has been a hockey referee for 24 years.  He has also been the color commentator for an Ontario Hockey League game.

Prieur has been announcing since 1989.

MCRP/SOD Safety Crew

SOD competitors got their first look at the MCRP safety crew.  They were quick to assist in any on-track incidents.

For more information about Engine Pro go to www.enginepro.com.  For more information about ARP, go to www.arp-bolts.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, and XYZ Machining.  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.

Fostoria, Ohio driver, Shawn Valenti would led all 30 laps of the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge Race #1 at Baer Field Motorsports Park to score his first career SOD victory.

The first race on the Baer Field Motorsports Park new ¼ mile track was originally scheduled for Saturday.  Unfortunately very heavy rains turned the track into something referred to as “Baer Lake,” but promoter Dave Muzzillo didn’t give up and surprisingly was able to get the track in shape for the Sunday rain date.

Mark Aldrich, Brett Mann, and Thomas Schinderle were Lane Automotive/MSD Ignition Fast Masters for their respective heats.  Landon Simon won the Engler Machine & Tool heat after a lap one flip by Greg Wheeler that ended his night early.  Brett Mann won the COMP Cams heat, and Dain Naida won the RockAuto.com heat.  Dan McCarron took the win in the B-Main.  2015 SOD Champion Gregg Dalman encountered mechanical problems and was unable to resolve them at the track.

Four laps into the feature, Mark Aldrich and Brett Mann came together between turns 1 and 2, ending their night.  Due to an extended red period, the field was allowed to add fuel.

31-year-old Valenti, in his Log Cabin Tavern / Triple X Chassis entry, held off consistent challenges from former pavement sprint winner at Baer Field, Joe Swanson to take home the win.  Swanson settled for 2nd as USAC Racing National Sprint Car Series regular, Landon Simon was third over RockAuto.com heat race Fast Master and series rookie of the year contender Thomas Schinderle who finished 4th, while 2001 SOD Champion, Stevie Irwin completed the top five.

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

Heat Races – Winners $100 each

B-Main

Feature

KSE Racing Products Hard Charger – Dan McCarron
BR Motorsports Contingency (feature top 10 draw) – Joe Swanson
DMI (Diversified Machine) Contingency (feature 12-16 draw) – Robert Bulloch
Perfit Corporation Lucky Dog – Robert Huisken

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, and XYZ Machining.  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