From Justin Barger Racing
MONTROSE, NY: The 25 year old budding star from Montrose, NY finally collected on a goal that he was been wanting for the past six years. Justin Barger came out on top in one the nation’s leading 360 sprint car organizations and thus is the champion of the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) for the 2009 racing season.
A steady supporter of the grueling tour that takes you all over the Northeastern part of the United States as well as the Ontario and Quebec provinces of Canada, Barger made good on something that got away in 2003. Some six years ago he had a shot at the ESS title but came up just six points short, six points short to a fulltime and well known racer of winged sprint cars, Mike Lutz.
This season was a team effort, a consistent effort. Justin had more wins than anybody (4) and more top tens than anybody (17) in a tour that consisted of 21 events. He won at Can-Am, Autodrome Granby and twice at Autodrome Drummond where one of those victories was the first ever Quebec Sprint Car Nationals, a $6,000 pay day.
“It’s been a good year and it feels awesome to finally win the ESS championship. We have been close so many times but we have a good team, some good luck and it all came together.” said Barger. “I have to thank my father Chris (who won the ESS mechanic of the year) first. He works so hard on the cars and at the family business so we can afford to race. I also have a great crew and some tremendous sponsors that make all of this possible.”
While the family business Cortlandt Auto Body is the main source of funding, sponsors like Ohsweken Speedway, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oils, JE Pistons, BMRS Racing Solutions, Pro Shocks, Maxim Chassis, Behrents Performance Warehouse, Impact Racing Products, Zemco Headers, Impact Racing Products, K&N Filters, VMAC Racing Products, Manley Performance, Dart Blocks, Carrillo Rods, Ultimate Wings, Rider Engines, Engler Machine, GME Mfg, LRB Mfg, Tim Thorne Auto Parts, Simplicity Designs and others are showcased on the side of the JBR Racing built sprinters. The main source of power comes from Dan Deming Jr. who builds the stout Ford motors that carried Barger to the victories.
“Dan’s engines are real strong and a major key to winning. We won at some tough horsepower tracks and that was a huge help.” Barger noted. “It is a huge team effort to win the championship of a traveling tour like ESS, where your on the road and visit so many different tracks, you need help from so many people. Luckily we have that.”
Barger was crowned the ESS champion on Saturday night, November 21st in Syracuse, NY. He took home nearly $10,000 in cash and prizes. He joined the likes of 360 sprint greats like Lutz, Mike Woodring, Craig Keel, Lance Yonge, Steve Poirier and others that have won the title in the 26 year history of the club.
The 2010 will dawn new challenges but for now, the remainder of the 2009 season will find Barger making appearances as ESS champion. For more information you can log on to www.justinbarger.com