From ESS
SYRACUSE, NY – Even though the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprint (ESS) 2012 season kicked off very successfully on April 28th at Can-Am, the 29th Anniversary Tour now kicks into high gear with the annual Memorial Day Weekend stops at Fonda and Utica-Rome.
The annual Earl Halaquist Memorial will once again be held at the “Track of Champions”, the Fonda Speedway. The winner of the 25 lap A-Main will collect a cool $2,000 which will bring a full field of winged machines to the MontgomeryCounty oval.
Last year Justin Barger made it three consecutive wins when he won the Memorial event. Steve Poirier made the championship run very exciting by winning the event in Sept. last year falling just shy of the title to the “Cobra” Chuck Hebing. All three teams are expected to be on hand however it will be a “game time” decision to see if Poirier is recovered enough from his knee injury. If not, Kevin Loveys will be aboard the #28FM.
Many local stars will be in the Fonda pit area as well such as Jessica Zemken, Bobby Varin, Kory Gurney, Josh Pieniazek, Warren Alexson, Jami Russell and more.
Fans will also be in for a special treat from Noon-3 at the Winners Circle Restaurant right near the speedway with the annual car show. They can see the sprints of Cory Sparks, Mark Zemcik and Luke Munroe along with a special display of a former Lou Lazzaro modified. The Winners Circle will also sponsor the Cobra Coaches Dash.
The next night it’s off to the popular half-mile in Vernon, NY, the Utica-Rome Speedway for the first of four visits in 2012. Hebing and Poirier have put on memorable duels at the Gene Cole owned facility and the fans will come in droves hoping for another exciting event. Walt’s Hobby will be celebrating 25 consecutive years in sponsoring with ESS with the backing of the Cobra Coaches dash event.
Coming into the weekend newly crowned as the “Honey Badger”, first year sprint campaigner Sammy Reakes IV is the ESS point leader by virtue of his win at Can-Am. Stiff competition on both nights will come from Shawn Donath, Lance Yonge, Jeff Cook, Matt Tanner, Patrick Vigneault, Michael Parent, Paul Kinney, Kevin Ward Jr., Dylan Swiernik, Jason Barney, Anthony Cain, James Hanson, Mike Stelter, Joe Trenca, Etienne Girard, Paul Habeck, Charlie Donk with welcomed entries of 32 time ESS winner Dan Kaszubinski and Robbie Stillwaggon along with others.
Making appearances at Utica-Rome will be Larry Wight, Doug Emery, Jimmy Stitzel and hoping to make the trip north the legendary Kramer Williamson.
Memorial Weekend is in honor to those that have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The very best of America’s Race Cars will be out in force putting on a show at two well known dirt facilities and continuing with the tradition of excitement guaranteed!!
For more information please log on to:
Twitter – @ESSprints, Facebook – www.facebook.com/
Past Empire Super Sprint Winners at Fonda Speedway
| July 18, 1987 | John Brutcher |
| Sept. 14, 1991 | Bobby Parrow |
| Aug. 2, 1992 | Tom Taber |
| Oct. 15, 1994 | Craig Lane |
| July 21, 2007 | Justin Barger |
| Aug. 5, 2008 | Justin Barger |
| May 24, 2009 | Doug Emery |
| Sept. 26. 2009 | Lance Yonge |
| May 29, 2010 | Justin Barger |
| Sept. 25, 2010 | Justin Barger |
| May 28, 2011 | Justin Barger |
| Sept. 24. 2011 | Steve Poirier |
| Past Empire Super Sprint Winners at Utica Rome Speedway | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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