By Dean Reynolds
SYRACUSE, NY – As the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) get ready to embark on the 2012 season, a total of 32 dates at 18 different tracks in two states and two Canadian provinces will make for what is anticipated in as another exciting year. Defending champion Chuck Hebing will be heading a list of some of the best 360 sprint car pilots of two nations at a dirt track near you.
Once again the core of the tour will be the full point events which has grew this season by one more event with three new tracks adding spice to schedule.
“We are very happy with how the schedule turned out for 2012. We had a tremendous year last season and hope to continue to build on the momentum.” said ESS President Chuck Miller. “We have several new teams looking to do the tour this year, the tradition of having the largest point fund on the area will continue and could very well top last years totals as we are finishing up a couple of more sponsorship opportunities.”
The staple of tracks that return each year is the back bone of ESS with Gene Cole’s Utica-Rome Speedway holding four full point events with one being a midweek affair sharing the bill with the Lucas Oil Late Models. The Fonda Speedway, Can-Am Motorsports Park, Autodrome Granby and new for 2012, the Mohawk International Raceway will hold two full point events. Returning to hold a single full point shows are Autodrome Drummond, Brewerton Speedway, Canandaigua Motorsports Park, Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, Lebanon Valley Speedway and Le RPM Speedway.
Three fine dirt facilities will be making their return in holding full point events. The Albany Saratoga Speedway is back on the tour for the first time since 2006. The Merrittville Speedway makes its return after last holding an ESS event in 2009. While ESS has been to this track over the years, it’s been since 1993 that a full point event will be on the slate at the Rolling Wheels Raceway Park.
As always there will be a chance of ESS’ finest taking home some hefty cash payouts with several special events sprinkled throughout the schedule. Heading the list will be the Eighth annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals at the Ohsweken Speedway where ESS is proud to be a part of all eight events. This year the winner will take home $12,000.
New for 2012 is the two-day Can-Am Challenge at one of ESS’ faithful supporters, Autodrome Granby. The winner of the Saturday finale will collect a cool $5,000.
Returning to the schedule will be the June swing of the Northern Summer Nationals which visits Ohsweken and South Buxton. The Quebec Wingless showdown at Le RPM that comes one day after the winged full point ESS event is back as well.
An agreement with the Mach 1 Series sees four of their events on the schedule with the first event actually getting rained out this past Saturday and will be run this Saturday. The Selinsgrove and Lincoln Speedways hold the Mach 1 events highlighted by the $8,000 to win National Open.
While this is the official release of the 2012 schedule, fans and race teams should note that there is a chance of adding two more events. Information will be released as it becomes available.
The 2012 season for the Lucas Oil tour is set for another outstanding year with most of the major backers returning and a slew of new sponsors that will be announced before the tour kicks into full gear on Apr. 28th at Can-Am.
Joining Hebing in the pits at all or most of the events this year is a who’s who in sprint car talent…Poirier, Donath, Ward Jr., Sparks, Cook, Yonge, Tanner, Parent, Stelter, Wickham, Barney, Bergeron, Rand, Vigneault, Donk, Habeck, Cain, Gurney, Hanson, Pekkonen, Kinney, Reakes IV, Trenca and many more.
For the latest up to date info please log on to www.empiresupersprints.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints, 32 dates, 18 tracks, New York, Pennsylvania, Quebec and Ontario, Canada hold on to your seats as it will be excitement guaranteed!!
2012 Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints Schedule
(Full point events are listed in bold)
Sat. March 31
Selinsgrove Speedway – Mach 1 Series – $2,500 to win.
Sat. April 28
Can-Am Motorsports Park
Fri. May 11
Autodrome Granby – Can-Am Challenge Preliminary Night
Sat. May 12
Autodrome Granby – Can-Am Challenge – $5,000 to win.
Sat. May 26
Fonda Speedway – Earl Halaquist Memorial – $2,000 to win.
Sun. May 27
Utica-Rome Speedway
Fri. June 1
Autodrome Granby – $1,800 to win, $450 to start.
Sat. June 2
Autodrome Drummond – $1,800 to win, $450 to start.
Fri. June 8
Mohawk International Raceway
Sat. June 16
Lebanon Valley Speedway
Wed. June 20
Lincoln Speedway – Mach 1 Series – $2,500 to win
Fri. June 22
Ohsweken Speedway – Northern Summer Nationals – $3,000 to win.
Sat. June 23
South Buxton Raceway – Northern Summer Nationals – $2,000 to win.
Sat. June 30
Merrittville Speedway – Gary Cunningham Memorial
Sun. July 1
Utica-Rome Speedway
Tues. July 3
Rolling Wheels Raceway Park – Holiday Spectacular – $2,000 to win.
Fri. July 6
Mohawk International Raceway – SUNY Canton Weekend – $2,000 to win.
Sat, July 7
Can-Am Motorsports Park – SUNY Canton Weekend – $2,000 to win.
Fri. July 13
Glen Ridge Motorsports Park – Friends of Glen Ridge – $2,000 to win.
Wed. July 25
Utica-Rome Speedway – Lucas Oil Night
Sun. Aug. 5
Selinsgrove Speedway – Mach 1 Series – $2,500 to win.
Fri. Aug. 10
Albany-Saratoga Speedway
Sat. Aug. 11
Canandaigua Motorsports Park
Fri. Aug. 17
Brewerton Speedway
Fri. Aug. 24
Autodrome Granby – $1,800 to win, $450 to start.
Sat. Aug. 25
Le RPM Speedway – $1,800 to win, $450 to start.
Sun. Aug. 25
Le RPM Speedway – Quebec Wingless Showdown – $1,800 to win.
Sat. Sept. 1
Selinsgrove Speedway – Mach 1 Series/National Open – $8,000 to win.
Sun. Sept. 2
Utica-Rome Speedway
Fri. Sept. 14
Ohsweken Speedway – Night Before the Nationals
Sat. Sept. 15
Ohsweken Speedway – Canadian Sprint Car Nationals – $12,000 to win.
Sat. Sept. 22
Fonda Speedway
Sat. Nov. 17
Annual awards banquet at Vernon Downs Casino and Resort.
The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints are brought to you by: Lucas Oil, Le Groupe Ultra, SUNY Canton, Hoosier Racing Tires, Westward Painting Company, Fondations 4 Saisons, North Eastern Pool and Spa, Mach 1 Chassis, Lee’s Repair Auto and Truck, Car Mate Trailers, The National Parts Peddler Newspaper, Cobra Coaches, The Ohsweken Speedway, Fondations 55, Mohawk Racing Parts, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Riverside Bar and Grill, Northwood 2 Construction/LaSalle Motorsports, 730 Truck Stop, Jasmin Peloquin Sport, FX Chevy and many, many associate sponsors.