ESS Teams Looking for New York Sprint Car Challenge Crown

From Dean Reynolds

SYRACUSE, NYAs the temperatures start to drop with Autumn around the corner, the action will heat up Friday night at the Cayuga County Fairgrounds.  It’s the annual New York Sprint Car Sprint Car Challenge and the stars and cars from the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) will be on hand to see if they can take home the $3,000 pot of gold being awarded to the winner.

The very best from the 28 year old sprint car sanction body will battle the top drivers from the United Racing Company (URC) along with some visiting ASCS Patriots drivers to see who will have bragging rights on the fast 3/8th mile oval located in Weedsport.  The event will also be part of the 39th running of Super Dirt Week.

Leading the ESS contingent will be newly crowned Lucas Oil champion Steve Poirier.  The Quebec star will be joined by the likes of ‘09 ESS champ Justin Barger, two-time champ Lance Yonge, the “Cobra” Chuck Hebing, Dan Kaszubinski, Jeff Cook, Alain Bergeron, Tommy Wickham, Jessica Zemken, Mike Stelter, Michael Parent, Shawn Donath, Jason Barney, Brian McDonald, Chris Jones and Cory Sparks.

The ESS “Young Guns” will also be in the field such as 16 year old sensation Kevin Ward Jr., Zach Weigand, Dylan Swiernik, Shayne Ely and more.

Other drivers that have run many shows under the ESS banner and could to be in the field will be Blake Breen, Rick and April Wilson, Devon Caron, Dave Wickham, Tyler Rand, Ryan Smith, Tim Kelly, Bruce DeWick and others

The Lucas Oil Tour held a very exciting full point event on July 11th with Jessica Zemken picking up a very popular victory in front of a big crowd over Barney, former Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart and Barger.

ESS has a long history with URC with the first ever URC/ESS Challenge event was held in 1994.  Combination shows have been a tradition at Super Dirt Week for many years at the Rolling Wheels Raceway but has new found a new home in Weedsport.

URC’s brigade from the south will be made up of current point leader and defending champion J.J. Grasso.  He currently has a 20 point lead over Curt Michael with the championship being decided on this night.

Other URC stars in the field include Justin Collett, Josh Weller, Randy West, Robbie Stillwaggon, Chris Coyle, Kevin Nouse, Kyle Purks, past URC/ESS challenge winner Trevor Lewis, many-time URC/ESS challenge winner and Hall of Famer Kramer Williamson and several others. In all a field towards 40 sprints are expected and with the World of Outlaws scheduled the next night at Rolling Wheels, a few surprises could be in the pits.

It’s the New York Sprint Car Challenge at the Cayuga County Fair Speedway…Thousands of dollars are up for grabs, the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints take on the best from five states and two Canadian provinces.  It will be excitement guaranteed!

For more information:

www.empiresupersprints.com

www.urcsprints.com

www.cayugacountyfairspeedway.com

PAST ESS CAYUGA COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY FEATURE WINNERS

Year                       Date                                      Winner

1985                         July 7th John Brutcher

1985                         August 18th Gordy Button

1986                         July 6th Bill Peri

1986                         August 2nd Gordy Button

1986                         August 24th Kenny Adams

1987                         July 5th Bob Cain

1987                         September 6th Mike VanDusen

1989                         August 27th Mal Lane

1990                         July 1st Mal Lane

1990                         August 26th Adrian Flath

1991                         June 30th Tom Taber

1991                         August 25th John Birosh

1992                         July 5th Bobby Parrow

1992                         August 30th Jeff Thomas

1993                         July 18th Roger Horvath

1995                         July 2nd Greg Hixson

1996                         June 30th Lance Yonge

1997                         July 6th Craig Keel

1998                         July 5th Mike Woodring

1999                         July 5th Bill Coffey

2000                         July 2nd Bobby Podolak

2001                         July 1st George Ely

2002                         July 7th Rob Dietrick

2005                         May 8th Ray Preston

2010                         July 11th 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.