By Dean Reynolds
SYRACUSE, NY – When the schedule was released for the 27th Anniversary edition of the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS), the one of the weekends that was being circled was the Fourth of July celebration. Three events total, back to back affairs at Can-Am Motorsports Park capped off by the second event of the season at Utica-Rome Speedway. What makes the weekend even more special is the pot of gold awaiting all teams on July 2,3 and 4.
Friday night will kick off Shootout Weekend at the “Nasty Track of the North” with a $2,000 to win event. Teams from Friday will then stay over, be joined be several new teams on Sat. and do it all over again for $4,000 to win, $2,000 for second, $1,000 for third, $450 for 10th and a generous $300 just to take the green. Riverside Bar and Grill has picked up the sponsorship of the A-Mains with Rt. 37 Building Supply backing the sprint portion of the weekend for Can-Am.
After an exciting two nights in LaFargeville where over $25,000 total will be handed out its off to Vernon, NY. where the DTD Motorsports Media brings you another $2,000 to win 25 lap A-Main. For the second event this year Dove Brake and Clutch will also back the Cobra Coaches Dash Series event.
If a driver is fortunate enough to sweep the events, over $8,000 will be pocketed, making for the richest weekend ever in the 28 year history of ESS. Leading the brigade of winged machines will be current Lucas Oil point leader Chuck Hebing, he will be joined by Glen Ridge winner Lance Yonge, Steve Poirier, Justin Barger, Dan Kaszubinski, Jessica Zemken, local star Jeff Cook and Michael Parent.
They will be matched up with stars like Tommy Wickham, Anthony Cain, Alain Bergeron, Chris Jones, Mike Stelter, Rick and April Wilson, the debut of Jason Barney with his new self-owned team, Brian McDonald, James Hanson, Shawn Donath, Dave Wickham, Normand Beaudreault, Daniel Lampron, Paul Pekkonen and others. The 2010 version of the ESS “Young Guns” will be out in force such as Devin Caron, Zach Weigand, Kevin Ward Jr., Dylan Swiernik, Jami Russell, Tyler Rice and Shayne Ely.
Drivers that have shown interest in running the weekend or possibly coming on Saturday after running Friday night at different venues include Glen Styres, Travis Cunningham, Mikey Kruchka, The Breen Bros. of Blake and Bobby, Tyler Rand, Jimmy Stitzel with a possibility of even more surprises.
On Sunday, a new wave of cars that have interest to be on hand at Utica-Rome such as Bobby Varin in the Demitraszek #61, Matt Tanner, Warren Alexson, Josh Pieniazek, Mark Zemcik along with the possibility of Davie Franek, Dave Camara, Trevor Lewis, Davey Sammons and others.
Its our Nation’s birthday, the fireworks will be not only in the sky but on the dirt racing surface as well. Can-Am, Utica-Rome, Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints…Its going to be excitement guaranteed!!
For more information:
www.canammotorsports.com
www.uticaromespeedway.com
www.empiresupersprints.com
Past Empire Super Sprint Winners at Can-Am Motorsports Park.
July 30, 1987
John Brutcher
July 28, 1988
John Birosh
July 27, 1989
John Birosh
Aug. 2, 1990
Mal Lane
Aug. 1, 1991
Jeff Thomas
July 30, 1992
Tim Kelly
July 28, 1994
Mike Woodring
June 22, 1995
Craig Lane
June 19, 1996
Mike Woodring
June 19, 1997
George Suprick
June 18, 1998
Mike Woodring
June 24, 1999
Dan Kaszubinski
June 22, 2000
Dan Kaszubinski
June 21, 2001
Dan Kaszubinski
Aug. 25, 2001
Alain Bergeron
June 20, 2002
Ryan Coniam
Aug. 17, 2002
Dan Kaszubinski
May 29,2004
Rick Wilson
July 3, 2004
May 28,2005
Rick Wilson
Lance Yonge
July 2, 2005
Dan Kaszubinski
May 27, 2006
Jessica Zemken
July 1, 2006
Justin Barger
July 27, 2006
Jeff VanDusen
July 5, 2008
Justin Barger
July 4, 2009
Justin Barger
Past Empire Super Sprint Winners at Utica Rome Speedway
May26, 1986
Dave Kelly
July 27, 1986
Bill Peri
May 25, 1987
Gordy Button
Oct. 3, 1987
Mike VanDusen
June 11, 1989
George Sifo
July 9, 1989
Rob Hart
Aug. 20, 1989
Mal Lane
July 8, 1990
Bob Podolak
Aug. 11, 1990
Jeff Thomas
Aug. 9, 1992
Lance Yonge
May 29, 1994
Bobby Parrow
May 26, 1996
Mike Woodring
Sept. 1, 1996
Mike Woodring
Sept. 2, 2001
Steve Dow
Sept. 1, 2002
Dan Kaszubinski
Oct. 9, 2002
Doug Emery
May 25, 2003
Mike Lutz
July 6, 2003
Justin Barger
Aug. 31, 2003
Justin Barger
May 30, 2004
Jeff VanDusen
July 4, 2004
Dan Kaszubinski
Sept. 5, 2004
Lance Yonge
May 29, 2005
Dan Kaszubinski
July 3, 2005
Mike Stelter
Sept. 4, 2005
Lance Yonge
May 28, 2006
Steve Poirier
July 23, 2006
Chuck Hebing
Sept. 3, 2006
Jeff VanDusen
May 27, 2007
Justin Barger
July 1, 2007
Chuck Hebing
Sept. 2, 2007
Steve Poirier
May 25, 2008
Jason Barney
July 6, 2008
Jason Barney
Aug. 31, 2008
Steve Poirier
May 24, 2009
Jessica Zemken
July 6, 2009
Dan Kaszubinski
Sept. 6, 2009
Jason Barney
May 30, 2010
Jessica Zemken
The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints are brought to you by: Lucas Oil, Northwood 2 Construction/LaSalle Motorsports, SUNY Canton, 730 Truck Stop, Hoosier Racing Tires, Les Constructions Ultra, Cooks Contracting Services, Fondations 4 Saisons, Car Mate Trailers, The National Parts Peddler Newspaper, WestFront Construction, Cobra Coaches, The Ohsweken Speedway, Mohawk Racing Parts, Engine Research, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Total Race Supply, Riverside Bar and Grill, Coffrage Daniel Lampron, Mohawk Valley Community College, FX Chevy and many, many associate sponsors.