From Dean Reynolds
SYRACUSE, NY – Even though the contracts were signed before the last event of the 2011 season at the Fonda Speedway for the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS), as the holidays are approaching the successful 360 sanctioning body would like to welcome back the Corona, CA based company as the title sponsor for the 2012 tour which celebrates 30 years.
As in seasons past, the tour will be officially named the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints and the new Lucas shield designed last year which incorporates the traditional ESS blue will be showcased at each event.
“We are so proud to have Lucas Oil back as our tour sponsor once again. In what has been a business deal has turned into a friendship as the entire Lucas Oil staff has just been so supportive of ESS.” noted long-time ESS President Chuck Miller. “We had a tremendous season in 2011, handing out over $60,000 at our awards banquet and with the influx of so many new teams, 2012 looks to be even brighter…and that’s hard to imagine. With Lucas’ support the tour travelers will again be rewarded for their efforts.”
Last year saw a fan pleasing dual between Chuck Hebing and Steve Poirier with the Ontario, NY native known as the “Cobra” coming out on top for his first ever ESS title. Both will be back in 2012 looking to repeat the excitement but the challengers will be stacked in talent.
Shawn Donath, Kevin Ward Jr., Cory Sparks, Jeff Cook, Lance Yonge, 2011 Lane’s Yamaha Rookie of the Year Matt Tanner, Michael Parent, Alain Bergeron, Mike Stelter, Tommy Wickham, Dylan Swiernik and Tyler Rand all collected point fund money for competing on last years tour and will be back.
Part-timers Jason Barney, Patrick Vigneault, Kory Gurney, Charlie Donk and Paul Habeck will be gunning for most if not all the events next year. Fans will also see Dan Kaszubinski back full-time anchoring the Ron Mucci owned team. Jessica Zemken has intentions of running many shows close to home as well as fan favorite Anthony Cain.
The crop of new teams is looking to be one of the best in many seasons. Modified star Paul Kinney is ready for a tour assault as well as sportsman star Sammy Reakes IV who already got his feet wet in a winged sprinter at the end of last season. North country small block star Matt Billings has a sprint ready. True rookies Joe Trenca (the second car on the Mucci team) and Etienne Girard from Quebec will be in the pits.
The 2012 schedule is coming together rapidly with some of the very best dirt track facilities already signed on to bring in the stars and cars from the Lucas Oil tour.
While the weather outside is slowing showing what happens in the off-season, the news in Lucas Oil ESS land heats up. For the latest up to date information please log on to www.empiresupersprints.com and for all the happenings with Lucas Oil and Lucas Oil Motorsports please log on to www.lucasoil.com