By Dean Reynolds
SYRACUSE, NY – Its one of the most looked forward to weekends on the schedule, the early summer visit to Autodrome Granby and Drummond in the French speaking province of Quebec. Not only are the two stops important on the 2012 Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) trail, but the most lucrative with the 25 lap A-Mains paying $1800 to win and $450 to start.
Three weeks ago many of the ESS stars were on hand for the first annual Can-Am Challenge at Granby, now its time to collect the all important points. Not only are there points for the over all Lucas Oil title but the Le Groupe Ultra Tour of Canada and also the Fondations 4 Saisons Quebec Super Star Series.
What makes the events unique is the friendly rivalry of the ESS stars from the states vs. the ESS stars from Quebec and Ontario. The contingent coming from the states looks to be one of the toughest in years led by current Lucas Oil ESS point leader Justin Barger.
The entire top ten in overall ESS points after the successful Memorial Day Weekend are filled with drivers from the US and many of them will join Barger in the trip north. They include Shawn Donath, Lance Yonge, Cory Sparks, Sammy Reakes IV, Jeff Cook, Matt Tanner and Paul Kinney. Defending champion Chuck Hebing is burning the midnight oil rebuilding his car after a tough crash at Utica-Rome and hopes to also make the trip.
Kevin Ward Jr., Mike Stelter, Paul Habeck, Anthony Cain, James Hanson and Joe Trenca will also be making the trip across the border.
The contingent from Quebec and Ontario will be stout as well. Steve Poirier will be making his return behind the wheel after nursing a knee injury, Michael Parent, Alain Bergeron, Patrick Vigneault, Etienne Girard, Lee Ladouceur, Dale Gosselin, Devin Caron, Paul Pekkonen, Tyler Rand, Chris Jones, Kayle Robidoux, Donald Lemire, Jake Langlois and more will be representing Canada.
Last year at Granby, Shawn Donath and Steve Poirier picked up the checkered flag while Kevin Ward Jr. collected his first ever ESS checkered flag during the only visit to Drummond.
Fans will see three Car Mate Custom Built Trailers heat events followed the B-Main all leading up to the high paying 25 lap A-Mains. In a very unique sponsorship program, Drummond promoter Yan Bussiere and his Racingstock.com is picking up the tab for the Cobra Coaches Dash that will be held at Drummond.
The very best of “America’s Race Cars” and the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints are invading Quebec! In the tradition of over 30 years, it will be excitement guaranteed!!
For more information:
www.empiresupersprints.com
www.autodrome-granby.com
www.autodrome-drummond.com
Past Empire Super Sprint Winners at Autodrome Granby
June 17, 1994
Roger Horvath
June 23, 1995
Mike Woodring
Sept. 1, 1995
Craig Keel
June 21, 1996
Mike Woodring
June 20, 1997
Mike Woodring
Aug. 29, 1997
Bobby Parrow
June 19, 1998
Mike Woodring
Sept. 4, 1998
Lance Yonge
June 25, 1999
Mike Stelter
Sept. 3, 1999
Lance Yonge
June 23, 2000
Mike Wodoring
Sept. 1, 2000
Mike Stelter
June 21, 2002
Mike Woodring
Aug. 30, 2002
Mike Woodring
June 20, 2003
Mike Woodring
June 18, 2004
John Karklin Jr.
Sept. 3, 2004
John Karklin Jr.
July 29, 2005
Lance Yonge
June 16, 2006
Doug Emery
July 28, 2006
Steve Poirier
Sept. 1, 2006
Jeff VanDusen
June 15, 2007
Chuck Hebing
July 27, 2007
Jeff Cook
Aug. 31, 2007
June 13, 2008
Aug. 1, 2008
Steve Poirier
Steve Poirier
Alain Bergeron
Aug. 29, 2008
Steve Poirier
June 5, 2009
Steve Poirier
July 31, 2009
Sept. 4, 2009
June 4, 2010
Aug. 27, 2010
June 3, 2011
Aug. 5, 2011
May 11, 2012
May 12, 2012
Justin Barger
Chuck Hebing
Jessica Zemken
Jeff Cook
Shawn Donath
Steve Poirier
Shane Stewart, Dain Naida
Shawn Stewart
Past Empire Super Sprint Winners at Autodrome Drummond
May 19, 1984
Gordy Button and Dave Leckonby
June 19, 1994
Tom Taber
June 24, 1995
Mike Woodring
Sept. 2, 1995
Mike Woodring
Aug. 30, 1997
Mike Woodring
June 20, 1998
Mike Woodring
Sept. 5, 1998
Tim Kelly
June 26, 1999
Mike Woodring
Sept. 4, 1999
Dan Kaszubinski
June 24, 2000
Mike Stelter
Sept. 1, 2001
Alain Bergeron
July 22, 2002
Dan Kaszubinski
Sept. 1, 2002
Bill Coffey
June 21, 2003
Lance Yonge
Aug. 30, 2003
Jeff VanDusen
June 19, 2004
Alain Bergeron
Sept. 4, 2004
June 18, 2005
Jeff Cook
Jeff VanDusen
July 30, 2005
Alain Bergeron
Sept. 3, 2005
Lance Yonge
June 17, 2006
July 29, 2006
Justin Barger
Nick Fratto
Sept. 2, 2006
June 16, 2007
Dan Kaszubinski
Jeff VanDusen
Sept. 1, 2007
June 14, 2008
Bubby Kerrick
Alain Bergeron
Aug. 30, 2008
Alain Bergeron
June 6, 2009
Chuck Hebing
Aug. 1, 2009
Lee Ladouceur
Aug. 15, 2009
Sept. 5, 2009
Aug. 14, 2010
Aug. 28, 2010
Aug. 28, 2010
June 4, 2011
Justin Barger
Justin Barger
Lance Yonge
Steve Poirier
Steve Poirier
Kevin Ward Jr.
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!!