From Dean Reynolds
SYRACUSE, NY – The 27th Anniversary season for the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) comes down to a close on Saturday evening, November 20th when it will crown Steve Poirier tour champion at the annual awards banquet. The banquet will end one of the most successful seasons in ESS history, a year that will be remembered for years to come.
New tracks, record car counts, record purses and a record banquet payoff is just a small part of what made the 2010 season so memorable. The most important aspect was the record amount of 110 different drivers that raced in ESS full point events highlighted by the 20 tour regulars that will share from the largest year end payout ever.
In a time where local auto racing is in flux, with the support of so many dedicated race teams ESS continued its tradition of one of the most successful 360 organizations in two countries.
Steve Poirier won out in one of the closest point battles witnessed. For much of the year it was a war between the Quebec great along with defending champion Justin Barger and past two-time champ Lance Yonge. With a strong stretch drive towards the end of the season, Poirier kept his foes behind him for his third Lucas Oil crown.
But, the point battle was just one of many highlights in this 28th season of ESS…Let’s take a look at some more:
Welcome Back – ESS was back at its roots with the return of Brewerton, Fulton and Cayuga County Fair Speedways. Unfortunately Fulton did fall to rain but with the a nucleus of more Central NY facilities the number of tour followers increased tremendously which was a big boost in car counts.
JZ – Jessica Zemken won five of eight events and also three in a row during the stretch aboard her Tony Stewart owned #14. Highlight of her string was collecting over $7,000 during the July 4th weekend with a second and two wins. One of the wins was the $4,000 Shootout Victory at Can-Am Motorsports Park. That was the highest payoff ever for a full point ESS event.
Smoke – An added treat was JZ’s owner, Tony Stewart himself competing at two ESS events at Glen Ridge and Cayuga County. Not only did he come to have fun but to win! The two-time Sprint Cup Champion finished third in both events. Ironically he finished behind Zemken both times!
Three Nights in Quebec – A special three night weekend in Quebec was new for ESS breaking away from the traditional two races in Quebec and one in the States Labor Day Weekend. The last weekend in August was used and what it produced was record car counts for ESS in the French speaking province. Traditional stops of Granby and Drummond was followed by a first time ever visit to the little quarter-mile Le RPM Speedway.
Eight – That was the number of different winners to grace victory lane. Joining Poirier, Barger, Yonge and Zemken in the winner’s circle was Chuck Hebing, Dan Kaszubinski, Jeff Cook and Brian McDonald.
Young Guns – It was one of the most highly touted group of newcomers and rookies in a very long time. A slew of teenage talents graced the pits at most of the ESS events during the season with headline making finishes. Drivers such as Kevin Ward Jr., Zach Weigand, Devin Caron, Shayne Ely, Dylan Swiernik, Tyler Rice, and others made for some exciting new names in the ESS results. Also, nice to have great support from several new Canadian teams such as Chris Jones, Tyler Rand, Dale Gosselin, Paul Pekkonen, Donald Lemire and others.
Surprise Visitors – Along with Tony Stewart, names such as All-Star Circuit of Champions Ohio Sprint Speed Week champion David Gravel, United Racing Company stars Kramer Williamson and Davey Sammons, Oklahoma hot shoe Mike Goodman, big and small block modified stars Bobby Varin, Dave Camara, Stewart Friesen, Carey Terrance, Mike Mahaney and Martin Roy. Central Pa. 358 standout Davie Franek and finally a shout out to Vermont’s Lacey Hanson adding her name to the list of lady racers in ESS lure. They all were welcome additions to the ESS ranks this year.
Shootout Weekend – The Can-Am Motorsports Park set up the most lucrative two-day ESS event ever. Over $27,000 in purses was paid out with Justin Barger taking home $2,000 on Friday and the aforementioned Zemken copping the $4,000 Saturday finale. Yes, the party Friday night was memorable.
Traditions – The backbone of ESS has been traditions carried on over the years…The Holiday weekend visits to Utica-Rome, starting and ending the full point season at Fonda, Lance Yonge, the return of Dan Kaszubinski, ESS stars shining at the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals, Mike Stelter and last but certainly not least the tremendous support from the fans and sponsors alike.
On November 20th, the final checkered flag will be waived on the 27th Anniversary season but plans are already taken place for 2011. It continuing with the tradition of the very best wheeling “America’s Race Cars” in two great countries, the Empire Super Sprints will always be excitement guaranteed!
Empire Super Sprint Full Point Events Recap.
| Date | Track | Winner – Total Earnings | Entries |
| May 29 | Fonda | Justin Barger – $1750 | 36 |
| May 30 | Utica-Rome | Jessica Zemken – $1725 | 34 |
| June 4 | Autodrome Granby | Jessica Zemken – $1925 | 25 |
| June 5 | Autodrome Drummond | Steve Poirier – $2000 (Run on Aug. 28) | 24 |
| June 18 | Autodrome Edelweiss | Chuck Hebing – $2150 | 21 |
| June 25 | Glen Ridge | Lance Yonge – $1700 | 30 |
| July 2 | Can-Am | Justin Barger – $2125 | 28 |
| July 3 | Can-Am | Jessica Zemken – $4250 | 32 |
| July 4 | Utica-Rome | Jessica Zemken – $2100 | 29 |
| July 11 | Cayuga County | Jessica Zemken – $1625 | 30 |
| July 16 | Ohsweken | Steve Poirier – $1775 | 32 |
| Aug. 6 | Mohawk International | Steve Poirier – $2600 | 24 |
| Aug. 13 | Autodrome Edelweiss | Brian McDonald – $2225 | 26 |
| Aug. 20 | Brewerton | Justin Barger – $1850 | 31 |
| Aug. 27 | Autodrome Granby | Jeff Cook – $1950 | 30 |
| Aug. 28 | Autodrome Drummond | Steve Poirier – $1975 | 28 |
| Aug. 29 | Le RPM | Dan Kaszubinski – $2125 | 25 |
| Sept. 3 | Can-Am | Steve Poirier – $1750 | 22 |
| Sept. 5 | Utica-Rome | Chuck Hebing – $1700 | 30 |
| Sept. 25 | Fonda | Justin Barger – $1750 | 35 |