ERIE, MI (June 18, 2017) – Chad Blonde made it 3 big Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP wins in two weekends at Butler Motor Speedway Saturday night. Blonde drove from his 6th place starting position to take the $2,100 win in the Driven Racing Oil Battlegrounds Bash WW III presented by Jim Coffey & Son Plumbing & Heating feature.

On a night where strong winds and high temperatures made track preparation a challenge, Butler’s crew was up to it and the race track held up remarkably well. The action was fast and furious on the smooth, high banked 3/8-mile with the large crowd enjoying plenty of passing. The SOD feature was over shortly after 10:30 PM.

With 23 cars still in competition after heat race action, Butler promoter Bob Garrett added 3 cars to the feature instead of running a B-Main.

Butler points leader Doug Zimmerman grabbed the early lead in the 25 lap feature from his pole position with Gregg Dalman starting and running 2nd. Thomas Schinderle started 6th, but was up to 3rd by lap3. Chad Blonde moved into 2nd on lap 7.

Zimmerman led the first 14 laps, but contact with a slower car in turn 2 caused him to spin to a stop, turning the lead over to Blonde. On lap 16, Zimmerman went off turn 3 and by the time he came back on the track out of turn 4, the caution was thrown, and he retired to the pits. On the restart, Boston Mead spun in turn 2, collecting Dain Naida and Joe Swanson, ending the night for all 3.

Blonde maintained a half a straight away lead for most of the last portion of the race. Ryan Ruhl took 2nd from Schinderle on lap 18 and looked fast, but couldn’t reel in the leader

Chris Jones won the KSE Hard Charger award by passing 12 cars. Steve Irwin started 8th, but a flat left tire on lap 6 sent him to the rear, but recovered to finish 7th.