By Dean Reynolds
SYRACUSE, NY – It might be a little short in notoriety but it will big in stature as the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints will make its third appearance of 2011 at Tiger Chapman’s Can-Am Motorsports Park this Saturday night. An event added to the ESS schedule a little over a month ago will be a big part of the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 weekend held at the LaFargeville, NY oval.
“We had two very successful events here and I started talking to Tiger so we agreed to bring ESS back for one more event.” said track race director Chip Burdick. “We wanted to turn this weekend into something special, something that will be in tribute to 9/11 so we added a Saturday program. If it goes over well you can bet this will be a yearly deal.”
The event will be a vital part of the ESS tour in not only will it carry points towards the overall championship but the Northwood 2 Construction/LaSalle Motorsports Canadian Sprint Series and SUNY Canton Series champions will be crowned.
This will also be lucrative event with added bonuses from a standard ESS purse. Over $600 in lap money will be offered in the 25 lap A-Main where the leader of each lap will collect at least $20 for that lap.
The Wilson family and their Riverside Bar and Grill will also back a special 6 car, 5 lap tribute to 9/11 dash where a $500 purse will be offered. This is an addition to the nightly Cobra Coaches Dash Series event.
Coming into the night, Chuck Hebing continues his incredible season by leading three-time champion Steve Poirier in what is hoped to be his first ever ESS title. The two have waged a year long battle for the 2011 championship and the fans will be in for a wild event.
Shawn Donath, Kevin Ward Jr. and Cory Sparks have been holding their own battle for third through fifth in the points which has thrilled the crowds as well. Joining the very talented top five in points will be a list of some fine sprint car drivers such as Jeff Cook, Lance Yonge, Matt Tanner, Michael Parent, Mike Stelter, Jason Barney, Alain Bergeron, Tyler Rand, Tommy Wickham and Dylan Swiernik.
Also to be in the field will be Rick and April Wilson, Patrick Vigneault, Paul Pekkonen, Devin Caron, Chris Jones, Lee Ladouceur, Brian McDonald, Tim Kelly, Charlie Donk, Paul Habeck, George Suprick, Dale Gosselin, Kyle Fraser and Steve Collins. Also adding spice to the field will be two time modified winner Matt Billings in a McDonald back-up and Sammy Reakes IV in a Wickham back-up.
It will be a weekend to remember and also to never forget…the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 and the very best of “America’s Race Cars” at Can-Am Motorsports Park. It will be excitement guaranteed!!
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
July 2, 2010
Justin Barger
July 3, 2010
Jessica Zemken
Sept. 3, 2010 Steve Poirier
Apr. 30, 2011 Alain Bergeron
July 1, 2011 Steve Poirier
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.