ERIE, MI (July 9, 2018) – Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP announces two schedule changes.

First, due to circumstances beyond our control, the Saturday, August 25th, race at Merritt Speedway has been canceled.

Second, a King Engine Bearings King of Michigan presented by Merritt Speedway and Ti22 Performance race has been add to the schedule on Friday, August 10^th.

Check out Hartford Speedway at www.hartfordspeedway.net and Merritt Speedway at https://merrittspeedwaymi.com/. Get to know Ti22 Performance at https://www.ti22performance.com/.

For more information about King Engine Bearings, go to www.kingbearings.com. You will find Engine Pro at 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 2018 by:
Engine Pro (Title Sponsor)
ARP (Title Sponsor)
Hoosier Racing Tire (Official SOD Tire)
MAHLE/Clevite (Beyond Limits Challenge Sponsor)
King Engine Bearings (Hartford King of Michigan Sponsor)
Motul (Leader of the Pack Sponsor)
Lane Automotive (Fast Masters Cosponsor)
MSD Ignition (Fast Masters Cosponsor)
Engler Machine & Tool (Heat Race Sponsor)
COMP Cams (Heat Race Sponsor)
RockAuto.com (Heat Race Sponsor)
ARP (Lucky Dog Sponsor)
KSE Racing Products (Hard Charger Sponsor)
Allstar Performance (Better Luck Next Time Sponsor)
The Perfit Corporation (Series Rookie of the Year Sponsor)
The Perfit Corporation (Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Sponsor)
Jim Coffey and Son Plumbing & Heating (Deuced It! Sponsor)
XYZ Machining (Sportsman of the Year Sponsor)
XYZ Machining (Crew Chief of the Year Sponsor)
Noizee 1 Motorsports (Bags o’ Money Awards)

SOD 2018 contingency sponsor partners are:
Allstar Performance ATL Racing Fuel Cells
Benic Enterprises BR Motorsports
Diversified Machine Inc. (DMI) Hepfner Racing Products (HRP)
J & J Auto Racing Keizer Aluminum Wheels
King Racing Products Maxim Racing
Motor City Racing Promotions Racing Optics
Rod End Supply Schoenfeld Headers
Simpson Racing Products Walker Performance Filtration

ERIE, MI (July 7, 2018) – After being rained out twice, the third attempt proved to be a charm for the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt race #1 of the King Engine Bearings King of Michigan at Hartford Speedway Friday night.  It was Ryan Ruhl’s night to rule in his Krieger Racing Engines powered Maxim as he was the Lane Automotive/MSD Ignitions Faster Master in qualifying for his heat, won the RockAuto.com heat race, won the feature, then proposed to long-time girlfriend Courtney Squires in victory lane to the delight of the large, enthusiastic crowd.

Fastest qualifier and Engler Machine & Tool heat race winner Chad Blonde started on the pole after Braxton drew the number one pill in the King Engine Bearings Kids Feature Draw.  Third place starter Brett Mann got out of shape in turn one of the first lap after a tire bleeder stuck and Eli Lakin got caught up in the melee and flipped, ending the race for both.  On the restart, Michael Schumacher came to a stop in turn three with a shredded right rear tire.

Once back under green, Blonde looked like he was in control as he masterfully negotiated traffic, to maintain a twenty-car lead over Ruhl who started fourth and moved into second on lap two.  A caution on lap ten gave Ruhl (Coldwater, MI) a chance to deal with Blonde on an open track and he shot under Blonde to take the lead on lap 11.  Although Blonde stayed close to Ruhl for a few laps, the lead grew throughout the race and a caution resulting in a green, white, checkered finish was no problem for Ruhl who stuck to his mid to low line to take the win.  A few more laps may have proven disastrous for Ruhl as his left rear tire was slowly losing air and victory lane photos showed just how low the tire was; it eventually went flat in post-race celebration.

It was an interesting race that demonstrated the success of SOD’s “Beyond Limits” format utilizing Hoosier spec tires.  Winner Ruhl and second-place Blonde were powered by 410s and third-place Gregg Dalman and fourth-place Andy Teunessen had 360 motors.

Joining Ruhl and Blonde as Lane Automotive/MSD Ignitions Fast Masters and heat race winners was Joe Swanson in the COMP Cams heat race.

It was announced that a date has been added for Sprints On Dirt at Hartford Speedway, Friday, August 10 for a race sponsored by Ti22 Performance.  SOD also returns to Hartford Speedway for already scheduled KoM dates July 13, July 27, and August 31.1

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

Heat Races

Feature

KSE Racing Products Hard Charger – Gregg Dalman (+6), Tyler Fitzpatrick (+6)
BR Motorsports Contingency (feature top 10 draw) – Mark Aldrich
DMI (Diversified Machine) Contingency (feature 12-16 draw) – Justin Ward
ARP Corporation Lucky Dog – Joe Swanson
Allstar Performance Better Luck Next Time – Zac Broughman

For more information about King Engine Bearings, go to www.kingbearings.com.  Check out Hartford Speedway at www.hartfordspeedway.net.  To learn more about 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.

ERIE, MI (July 2, 2018) – The King is back, and going big in July, with the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP Month of the King, including three King Engine Bearings King of Michigan races!  The KoM opener was rained out on May 18 and again on June 8, so we travel to Hartford Speedway for the first 2018 KoM race this Friday, July 6.

SOD teams kick off the Month of the King Friday, then return to Hartford on July 13 for the KoM round 2.  SOD will race at Crystal Motor Speedway on Saturday, July 14, for the season’s third MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge race on July 14.  The month is capped off at Hartford on July 27 for the KoM round 3.

The 2018 KoM Champion will be crowned at the series finale on August 31.  The champion will have a guaranteed starting spot in the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP Mike Olrich Memorial Race at Crystal Motor Speedway on September 1st.  The King Engine Bearings King of Michigan will pay a point fund to the top five at the 2018 Sprints On Dirt Awards Banquet at the Battle Creek (MI) Holiday Inn on Saturday, October 27.

Chad Blonde won the first three 2017 KoM races, including a record 5 minute and 25 second, non-stop feature on August 11th; Ryan Ruhl won the 2017 KoM finale.  Blonde won the KoM points championship over Steve Irwin (2001 & 2017 SOD champion), Gregg Dalman (2015 SOD champion), and Thomas Schinderle (2017 SOD Series Rookie of the Year).

For more information about King Engine Bearings, go to www.kingbearings.com.  Check out Hartford Speedway at www.hartfordspeedway.net.

The race will be the first of four races of the Motul Leader of the Pack Stage 3.  The LoP consists of four stages including all SOD races through September 1.  Each stage finish is based on SOD points earned during the stage.  The Motul Leader of the Pack Champion will be the driver with the best average finishing position for all stages and will pay a five-place point fund at the 2018 Awards Banquet.  Chad Blonde won Stage 1 of the LoP.  Shawn Valenti won Stage 2.

Blonde currently leads SOD championship points over Shawn Valenti and Ryan Ruhl.

For more information about King Engine Bearings, go to www.kingbearings.com.  Check out Hartford Speedway at www.hartfordspeedway.net.  Learn more about Engine Pro at 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.

ERIE, MI (June 30, 2018) – There have been a few questions recently among Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP competitors.  This bulletin is being provided for the benefit of SOD teams.

As with any speedways and series, it is the responsibility of each team to know the rules that they are racing under.  The complete Sprint On Dirt rule book is available online at https://goo.gl/xZEoMG.

 Raceceivers

The Sprints On Dirt default channel is now channel 000, 454.0000 frequency.  This is the channel the raceceiver will default to when replacing the battery.  It may be necessary to use another channel at times, and it will be announced at the speedway when required.  INSTALL A NEW BATTERY FOR EACH RACE DAY.

 Mufflers

Unaltered mufflers or inserts are required at all tracks.  Inserts can be purchased from Sprints On Dirt at every race.

Car Specifications (rule book excerpt)

3.4.      Car number: Number must be prominently displayed on both sides of the fuel cell, both sides of the top wing, and top of the center section of the top wing.

3.5.      Electronic devices and battery-powered devices: Only the following devices are allowed:
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiIgnition boxes
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiTachometers
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiRaceceivers
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiTiming/scoring transponders
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHelmet ventilation systems
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiOil pressure warning lights
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiCameras

3.5.1.   Traction control devices are not allowed.

3.5.2.   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 Wings (rule book excerpt)

6.2.      No wicker bills or Gurney lips permitted on center foil unless center foil is totally flat. If flat, a one-inch wicker bill is allowed.

6.6.2.   Sideboards: Top wing sideboards maximum size, 72 inches long and 30 inches tall. Panels must be of one-piece construction. Panels must be fabricated flat. Turnouts on all edges of the wing must not exceed 1 1/4” perpendicular to the sideboard x 1 1/4” from the rear of the sideboard forward.  The entire panel must remain perpendicular to the center foil. No bending the side panel and/or moving the braces to kick out the right side panel.

The Sprints on Dirt schedule, rules, current news, and other information are available at www.sprintsondirt.com.

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

Johnny B Imagery photo

ERIE, MI (June 23, 2018) – Shawn Valenti, Fostoria, Ohio, took the MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP win at Tri-City Motor Speedway in Auburn, Michigan, last night.  The entire program was run in typical SOD fashion without a single caution all night in front of a capacity crowd.

The night started out under sunny skies before light rain started falling.  It was not initially enough to halt the program, however, the rain increased and halted racing around 7:00 PM.  After a medical emergency and almost two hours of a huge effort by the track crew, racing resumed with the SOD feature taking the track first.

In qualifying before the rain, Steve Irwin, Fenton, Michigan, tied the track record at 11.107.  Thomas Schinderle and Gregg Dalman looked strong in taking the Engler Machine & Tool and COMP Cams heat races.

Valenti started on the pole for the feature and led all twenty-five laps of the feature completed in just over five minutes.  But it was not easy as Steve Irwin made several serious challenges, even pulling along side the leader.  Irwin dropped to third on lap eighteen then fourth on lap 24.  Ryan Ruhl took second on lap 18 where he finished.  Chad Blonde moved up seven places to finish third.

Steve and Erika Puvalowski, Tri-City Motor Speedway owners/promoters and their entire staff did a tremendous, relentless job of getting the race program in under very difficult conditions.  As a result, the full house enjoyed an exciting, action-packed night of racing.

Blonde leads SOD championship points over Valenti and Ruhl.  Blonde also leads Ruhl and Valenti in MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge points.  Valenti won stage 2 of the Motul Leader of the Pack over Chad Blonde with Jay Steinebach and Ricky Ferkel tied for third.

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

Heat Races

Feature

KSE Racing Products Hard Charger – Chad Blonde (+7)
BR Motorsports Contingency (feature top 10 draw) – Ricky Ferkel
DMI (Diversified Machine) Contingency (feature 12-16 draw) – Mark Aldrich
Perfit Corporation Lucky Dog – Josh Ward
Allstar Performance Better Luck Next Time – Quentin Blonde

Check out the Tri-City Motor Speedway website at www.tricityracetrack.com and its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tricitymotorspeedway.  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.