ERIE, MI (July 14, 2018) –The King Engine Bearings King of Michigan Race #2 at Hartford Speedway on Friday the 13th was just what Litchfield, Michigan’s Chad Blonde needed. After being the bride’s maid several times this season, Blonde drove his Krieger Racing Engines powered Maxim to victory to the delight of the large, enthusiastic crowd that braved sweltering temperatures to see a great night of racing.

Steve Irwin, Fenton, Michigan, won the Engler Machine & Tool heat over Jay Steinebach, Hudsonville, Michigan, and Dustin Shriver, South Bend, Indiana. Andy Teunessen, Kalamazoo, Michigan, looked strong, winning the COMP Cams heat over Shawn Valenti, Fostoria, Ohio, and open-wheel standout Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, California. The RockAuto.com heat was worth the price of admission as Gregg Dalman (360 ci engine), Bellevue, Michigan, and Chad Blonde (410 ci engine), Litchfield, Michigan, put on a spectacular show swapping the lead numerous times with Dalman finally claiming the win over Blonde and 2016 SOD champion Brian Smith, Fremont, Ohio.

Pole starter Jay Steinebach led lap one before Blonde took the lead on lap two from his outside front row starting position. Blonde was in command, opening up a big lead as Steve Irwin, moved into second on lap six. Gregg Dalman, running a strong third, brought out the caution on lap twelve trying to avoid contact with a lapped car, ending his race. The caution gave Irwin a chance to challenge Blonde, and he momentarily inched ahead between turns one and two a lap later. Blonde was too strong though and motored away to a decisive win.

Sprints On Dirt returns to Hartford Speedway, July 27, August 10 for KoM race #4 presented by Merritt Speedway and Ti22 Performance. The King Engine Bearings King of Michigan finale takes place on August 31.