And, on a sidebar, a new series director. She stepped up in the 11th hour to take the helm this year after a little bit of internal series turmoil.

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SOD announces new series director
April 12, 2015 by admin

Fenton, MI — (April 12, 2015) — The Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP is pleased to announce that Adrianna Irwin has accepted the position Series Director.

Adrianna, a degreed mechanical engineer, is a global program manager in the automotive industry. She is experienced in managing complex relationships and productive communication with people with varying agendas and different perspectives.

Management of an organization like SOD is no easy job, but Adrianna’s professional background and accomplishments makes her well qualified to meet the demands of the job.

From a racing perspective, Adrianna is also very experienced and knowledgeable. She has been involved with sprint car racing all her life, the third generation of a racing family. She has seen it all and understands the intricacies of the sport.

You can email Adrianna at director@sprintsondirt.com.

Is that Irwin? She's the one who's married to Steve Irwin who runs nonwing in Michigan and Ohio right?

And the daughter of John Naida.

She is married to Steve, who runs non-wing & wing. Joe, Steve's brother, is head man for the Michigan Traditional Sprints. Joe periodically runs, too.

Good opening round. 24 some cars. Lots of Late Models and Modifieds at Crystal, too.

Biggest thing to note - SOD dropped the passing points method of scoring. They went back to taking the top however many from the heats and advancing to the A Main. LOTS less complicated for the fans. Also, the 9-12 Dash is gone.

Both good moves in the right direction.

I hope they are still doing the kids draw?

Top two finishers in the four heats did a redraw. No kids involved. They did it back in the pits. It was real cold out, though. Maybe that is why?

I'm curious as to why you think eliminating passing points and the dash are good ideas.

I just think that going back to the "Top Whatever (3, 4, , etc.)" per each heat is easier to follow for the fans. With passing points, unless you are keeping track and know the formula, the fans are clueless as to who is advancing. The announcing crew never ever gave proper, consistent updates of the passing points as the heats went on. To Joe Fan, the old method is easier to follow. I hate it when a series tries to complicate things. Double file restarts vice the cone on the front stretch is another of my pet peeves.

I like the Dash, don't get me wrong. But I always felt the Dash should be for the top drivers in the A Main - not positions 9-12 as SOD has been doing the past few years. Let the kids draw for Dash starting spots and run the Top 6 or 8 in the Dash for starting positions in the A Main.

I could take the format either way, it's just this way, I think it is best for the fans and I applaud the series for doing it.

Good luck in the next round, Eric. I hope to be there at I-96.

I was there on Sat night. I would go with the new format. It helps to move the show along. When you are at Crystal it is around 11pm or later when the sprints run the a-main. It was very cold in the stands and still have a long drive home. Crystal does a good job of moving the show along, but still a long night in the stands, with small kids or being cold. It was a good race, I feel bad for the luck Brad had in the a-main