ERIE, MI (July 9, 2017) – 2007 Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP Rookie of the Year, Ryan drove from his 7th place starting position to win Saturday’s caution-free 25 lap MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge at Merritt Speedway, Michigan’s Premier Dirt Track.
Mike Astrauskas took the lead from the pole and held the lead for twenty laps, fighting off challenges by Brad Lamberson who pulled alongside at one point. Meanwhile, Ruhl steadily moved through the field and took the lead out of turn 4 from race long leader Astrauskas with five laps to go and went on to win his second feature of the 2017 racing season. The 30-year-old from Coldwater, Michigan in his popular #16 C&C Contractors/J&J Chassis/Rider Racing Engines sprinter would score career win #15 and the victory moves him into a tie for ninth all-time in SOD history. Brad Lamberson finished second ahead of two-time SOD Champion, Gregg Dalman while Astrauskas and 2001 SOD Champion, Steve Irwin completed the top five in the third race of the MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge Series Race #3.
Thomas Schinderle, leading both SOD Championship and MAHLE/Clevite BLC points going into the show, experienced engine problems that ended his night before qualifying, costing him both point leads. Steve Irwin now leads Gregg Dalman and Schinderle in SOD Championship points. Irwin also leads the MAHLE/Clevite BLC points over Schinderle and Robert Huisken now.
Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP
Merritt Speedway
Merritt, MI
Saturday July 8, 2017
Feature (25 Laps): 1. 16 – Ryan Ruhl, 2. 27 – Brad Lamberson, 3. 49T – Gregg Dalman, 4. 3A – Mike Astrauskas, 5. 0 – Steve Irwin, 6. 46 – Robert Huisken, 7. 8 – Justin Ward, 8. 16X – Nick Rogers, 9. 77 – Andrew Scheid, 10. 71H – Ryan Grubaugh, 11. 1A – Mark Aldrich, 12. 47 – Robert Bullock, 13. 27X – Jared Lamberson, 14. 81 – Ricky Ferkel, 15. 10J – Chris Jones, 16. 6 – Tyler Bearden, 17. 31 – Tanner Astrauskas.