From Dean Reynolds
SYRACUSE, NY – The last time the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) roamed around the Ontario County Fairgrounds half-mile oval was a mere days from five years. The Canandaigua Motorsports Park will host the winged warriors this Saturday night as a part of Watkins Glen Weekend.
Under the guidance of Jeremie Corcoran for this season, the track known as “the Land of Legends” has seen new life and a new beginning. Bringing back the ESS traveling road show will be one of the highlights of their 2011 racing schedule.
Coming into the event, local favorite Chuck Hebing has a slim lead in the overall Lucas Oil ESS point standings over defending champion Steve Poirier. Not only will it be an important night for Hebing in keeping his point lead but many friends and family will be on hand as it’s the closest track to his Ontario, NY home.
Joining in on the tight point battle as well as been Shawn Donath, Cory Sparks and last years Lane’s Yamaha Rookie of the Year Kevin Ward Jr. All of the top five will be in the field as well as the likes of Jeff Cook, Lance Yonge, Alain Bergeron, Matt Tanner, Michael Parent, Mike Stelter, Tyler Rand and Tommy Wickham all are in the top 15 in the overall points.
Also expected to be in the field will be Canandaigua modified regulars Charlie Donk and Paul Habeck along with Jason Barney, Kyle Dutcher, Chris Jones, Tim Kelly, Jared Zimbardi, Shayne Ely, Dave Wickham, Steve Collins as well as looking to make their first ESS starts of 2011, Glenn Styres, Keith Dempster, Dain Naida and Jamie Collard.
Fans will get to see the Car Mate Custom Built Trailers heat events, the Dan Willmes Enterprises/Cobra Coaches Dash and the Engine Research B-Main all leading up to the 25 lap A-Main finale where the winner of the 22nd ESS sanctioned event at Canandaigua will be crowned.
Canandaigua Motorsports Park, the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints and 29 years of sprint car history…it will be excitement guaranteed!!
For More Information:
www.canandaiguamotorsportspark.com
www.empiresupersprints.com
Past Empire Super Sprint Winners at Canandaigua Speedway
July 6, 1985
John Zentner
July 5, 1986
Gordy Button
Aug. 16, 1986
Gordy Button
July 4, 1987
Mike Gorman
Aug. 15, 1987
John Brutcher
June 29, 1991
Jeff Thomas
July 4, 1992
Mike Woodring
Aug. 29, 1992
Bobby Parrow
May 8, 1993
Tim Kelly
Aug. 28, 1993
Tim Kelly
July 1, 1995
Craig Keel
May 11, 1997
Mike Woodring
July 5, 1997
Mike Woodring
July 24, 1999
Lance Yonge
May 13, 2000
Lance Yonge
July 1, 2000
Rich Wood
May 12, 2001
Randy Years
June 30, 2001
Lance Yonge
May 11, 2002
Brian Dumigan
July 6, 2002
Rob Dietrick
Aug. 26, 2006
Justin Barger
Black Rock Speedway A-Verdi Storage Containers Sprint Event:
The Black Rock Speedway which hosted the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints on July 8th will hold its traditional 360 sprint car event Friday night as a part of Watkins Glen Weekend. The A-Main will pay $4,000 to win, $1,500 for second and $1,000 for third. With ESS at Canandaigua the next night fans will expect several ESS stars on hand for the Patriot Sprint Tour full point event.