By Dean Reynolds
SYRACUSE, NY – After a very successful opening event on the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) 2012 Tour where 35 sprinters invaded the Can-Am Motorsports Park, the attention now shifts to the first annual Can-Am Challenge at Autodrome Granby. The fast half-mile has been a mainstay on the ESS tour since 1994 but a new endeavor which will see many top drivers from five states and two Canadian provinces looking for the top prize money is going to be exciting.
All the top teams from ESS will be on hand in what they will call their home turf looking for the $5,000 pot of gold that will be offered in Saturday’s finale. The two day event will kick off this Friday with twin 15 lap A-Main’s guaranteeing no worse than the 10th place starting position all leading up to the big 30 lap event the next night.
Looking for the big win will be local favorite and three-time ESS champion Steve Poirier. The Quebec native is a two time winner of the famed Canadian Sprint Car Nationals and is looking to bring the Can-Am Challenge trophy home. Defending ESS champ, the “Cobra” Chuck Hebing is a two-time winner at Granby and will have a say in Poirier’s quest to keep the money in Quebec.
The list of teams high atop the points that are looking to be on hand include are Shawn Donath, 2009 Quebec Nationals champion Justin Barger, Alain Bergeron, 2010 Quebec Nationals Champ Lance Yonge, Jeff Cook, Matt Tanner, Patrick Vigneault, Michael Parent, Cory Sparks and Paul Kinney all who are in the top 15 so far in ESS points.
Also carrying the ESS banner this weekend will be Kevin Ward Jr., Paul Pekkonen, Jason Barney, Anthony Cain, Etienne Girard, Joe Trenca, Devin Caron, Paul Habeck, James Hanson, Dale Gosselin, Donald Lemire and Michael Forcier.
The Lucas Oil Tour featuring the Le Groupe Ultra Tour of Canada and the Fondations 4 Saisons Quebec Super Star Series will also make two full point stops at Granby on Friday, June 1st and Friday, August 24th giving the Quebec fans their fill of winged, 360 sprint car action.
For more information on the first annual Can-Am Challenge, please log on to http://autodrome-granby.com where the 2012 season kicks off for Quebec’s Friday night dirt track home.
The Can-Am Challenge, the invasion of the Lucas Oil ESS stars and over $5,000…that’s a formula for excitement guaranteed!!
The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints are brought to you by: Lucas Oil, Le Groupe Ultra, SUNY Canton, Universal American, Hoosier Racing Tires, Fondations 4 Saisons, Cobra Coaches, Westward Painting Company, Mach 1 Chassis, Lee’s Repair Auto and Truck, Fondations 55, Eric Varin Roofing, North Eastern Pool and Spa, Car Mate Trailers, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Ohsweken Speedway, Northwood 2 Construction/Lasalle Motorsports, AKS Firearms, Jasmin Peloquin Sport, 730 Truck Stop, Riverside Bar and Grill, FX Chevy and many, many associate sponsors.