By Dean Reynolds
SYRCUSE, NY – Every now and then you get a little something special thrown your way during the course of a racing season and the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) got just that this Wednesday night at the Utica-Rome Speedway. The storied half-mile in Vernon, NY will be celebrating it’s 50th Anniversary and ESS will join the Race of Champions Modified Series for a special two-division special event.
Utica-Rome came to life in 1961 as a little quarter-mile and now has grown to be one of Central, NY’s premier dirt ovals under the ownership of Gene Cole. To celebrate the grand occasion will be a 100 lap big block feature event paying $10,000 to win and the third of four visits by the winged warriors of ESS.
Ceremonies will get underway during the day with the release of “Home of Heroes”, a 400 page hard cover book penned by Bones Bourcier. A special luncheon will be held honoring all the past champions at Utica-Rome.
After the afternoon fun, the action takes to the track and the all important fight for the overall Lucas Oil ESS crown and the SUNY Canton Series will take place. Chuck Hebing has a slim lead over Steve Poirier with Cory Sparks, Shawn Donath and Kevin Ward Jr. still within striking distance for the ESS championship.
In the SUNY Canton Series, its Poirier with a slim margin over Donath, Sparks, Hebing and Ward Jr. These top stars will be in action along with the likes of Jeff Cook, Alain Bergeron, Matt Tanner, Michael Parent, Lance Yonge, Mike Stelter, Tyler Rand, Dylan Swiernik, Tommy Wickham, Jason Barney, Bobby Varin, Paul Habeck, Charlie Donk, Jami Russell, Dan Douville, Josh Pieniazek, Warren Alexson, Mark Zemcik, Kory Gurney, Tim Kelly, Shayne Ely and more expected to be in the pits on this special night.
As a tradition when ESS is in town, a special fireworks show will cap off what will be a special evening. The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints, the Race of Champions Tour for big block modifieds, the release of “Home of Heroes” …the 50th Anniversary celebration and it will be excitement guaranteed!
For more information:
www.uticaromespeedway.com
www.coastal181.com
www.empiresupersprints.com
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
July 4, 2010
Jessica Zemken
Sept. 4, 2010
Chuck Hebing
May 29, 2011
Steve Poirier
July 3. 2011
Chuck Hebing
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, Westward Painting Corporation, 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, Riverside Bar and Grill, Coffrage Daniel Lampron, Jasmin Peloquin Sport, FX Chevy and many, many associate sponsors.