Dean Reynolds
SYRACUSE, NY – The 2011 version marks the 7th annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals at the Ohsweken Speedway, Canada’s sprint car capital. The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) is proud to be a part of each edition at Glenn Styres’ gem of a dirt track on the Six Nations Reserve.
The Saturday night finale will pay a record $11,000 to win from the over $56,000 posted purse and in like years past the faithful from ESS will be looking to take home the lions share of the money being offered.
In the past six years ESS regulars have an unprecedented finishing record by placing seventh or higher in each of the events highlighted by Steve Poirier’s wins in 2006 and 2007. Other top ESS finishers were Jeff VanDusen and Lance Yonge, second and third in 2005, Jason Barney finishing second to both of Poirier’s victories with Chuck Hebing taking second on the last two events behind winner Shane Stewart.
The list of ESS invaders will be a who’s who in the 360 sprint car ranks. Hebing comes in as the ESS point leader for 2011 with Poirier close behind in point’s race and they will lead the brigade. Barney will have his familiar #87 in field as will Yonge with his famed #17J.
Other ESS teams that will be in the field over the weekend will be Shawn Donath, Kevin Ward Jr., Cory Sparks, Jeff Cook, Michael Parent, Alain Bergeron, Mike Stelter, Tyler Rand, Patrick Vigneault and Devin Caron.
The action does kick off on Thursday night with fan appreciation night with the track’s regular CorrPak Sprints putting on a show their always exciting show.
On Friday, many of the teams from all other sanctions will be on hand for the “Night before the Nationals” which features twin 15 lap, $500 to win A-Mains. The Ohsweken Shootout and the 5th Annual Dave MacLeod Mr. Sprint Car Challenge.
Then on Saturday, time trials, heats, B-Main’s and the “Little Feature” will fill out the field for the 30 lap, $11,000 to win, $800 to start A-Main where another Nationals champions will be crowned.
For more information on the crown jewel for the 360 sprint cars please log on to www.ohswekenspeedway.com
Past Canadian Sprint Car Nationals.
2005 – 1. Kenny Jacobs, 2. Jeff VanDusen, 3. Lance Yonge
2006 – 1. Steve Poirier, 2. Jason Barney, 3. Ryan Grubaugh
2007 – 1. Steve Poirier 2. Jason Barney, 3. Kevin Job
2008 – 1. Wayne Johnson, 2. Dustin Daggett, 3. Bryan Howland
2009 – 1. Shane Stewart, 2. Chuck Hebing, 3. Wayne Johnson
2010 – 1. Shane Stewart, 2. Chuck Hebing, 3. 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.