By Dean Reynolds
SYRACUSE, NY – As the official full point season for the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) and its celebrated 30th Anniversary Tour is just two weeks away, the stable of returning sponsors makes this season another lucrative one for its competitors.
With the help of all these contributors, ESS not only pays out the largest nightly purse of any 360 organization in the area but also has the largest banquet payout as well.
Lucas Oil from California is back as the official tour sponsor for the sixth consecutive season and bears the name of Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints. Forest Lucas is a fan of all forms of motorsports and as we are entering and celebrating the 30th Anniversary, we are very proud to have the Lucas name heading the list.
The educational establishment known as SUNY Canton has been a huge fixture in Upstate NY for several years now and also with ESS. For 2013, SUNY Canton involvement has increased substantially with not only the return of the SUNY Canton Series, but also backing for the first ever CNY Speedweek and also sponsoring the A-Main for ESS’ first ever Asphalt Assault which comes on June 8th at the Evans Mills Speedway. The champions’ daughter known as ‘Lil Cobra, Kelly Hebing is in her freshman year at SUNY Canton.
Mach 1 Chassis from Mechanicsburg, Pa. came aboard last year for the first time sponsoring the annual Hard Luck Award by giving away a complete frame. Patrick Vigneault was the recipient and debuted the beautiful machine last week at Selinsgrove. Mach 1 is back again sponsoring the Hard Luck Award but has increased its sponsorship program by also backing ESS’ full point show at Selinsgrove on May 18th. With their contribution the race now pays $3,000 to win with $300 just to take the green.
Le Groupe Ultra is back for the second year as the title sponsor of the Tour of Canada. The Parent family from Granby, QC. has sponsored many programs in the past but they are most proud of putting their name on as the title sponsor of all events held north of the border.
Today’s Options is the new title of the US Stars and Stripes Tour. A Medicare Advantage Health Plan offered by Universal American (last years title) is a unique insurance program offered here in the Northeast. All the events held in the US will again carry point towards the Stars and Stripes champion.
Cobra Coaches is back for the fourth year at the title sponsor of the nightly dash series. A lucrative point fund awaits the top ten in points earned during the year. Chuck Hebing owns Cobra Coaches and is the now defending two-time ESS champion. The top two finishers in each heat go to the dash and points are tabulated based on the finish.
Fondations 4 Saisons and the Poirier family is once again back with the ESS sponsorship family but they will be switching up their program for 2013. They will now be the sponsor of the nightly hard charger award and also the hard charger point fund. The driver that passes the most cars in the A-Main will receive a cash bonus and the three drivers that passed the most cars during the year will split from the year end point fund.
Westward Painting Company owned by Kevin Ward is back for the third season sponsoring the halfway mark of each 25 lap A-Main. On lap 13, the leader under the crossed flags will get an extra cash bonus at night’s end. Of course the goal is the checkered flag but if that doesn’t happen, the reward from WPC will help.
North Eastern Pool and Spa returns for its second year with the nightly Power Pick Award. The drivers with the two highest draws each night that makes the A-Main is rewarded with extra cash in their pay envelopes. ESS competitor Paul Habeck is the owner of the successful company from the Rochester, NY area and he is coming off an arm injury where he is looking forward to the opener at Can-Am.
Fondations 55 is back for its sophomore season as well with ESS, Patrick Vigneault’s business will again sponsor the nightly Pick 5 where the 5th place finisher on the A-Main gets extra cash. Also, being from Canada, Patrick is also pleased to help out with the Tour of Canada as an associate sponsor for the point fund.
A long-time mainstay for ESS has been Car Mate Custom Built trailers with their title sponsorship of all heat races. As you scan the pit area at an ESS show, you will see many trailers built by Car Mate including ESS’ Merchandise and Utility trailers that come to each show. When you win the 10 lap qualifying event you will get some extra cash for a job well done.
Charlie Caprara and FX Chevy has been involved with ESS for almost a decade now providing the Pace Truck vehicle that fans and competitors see at each event. FX Chevy is also a sponsor of the nightly tee-shirt toss to the fans that has grown to be very popular.
Finally we would like to welcome back a long-time sponsor in Glenn Styres and his Ohsweken Speedway. This year Glenn has stepped up the winner’s bonus for 2013 and now each A-Main winner will collect a minimum of $1,600 at each ESS full point event with many offering even more than that. ESS will make its long awaited return to Ohsweken on Fri. July 12th where it will be the first full point show held there in over three years.
The official kick off for the 30th Anniversary will be on Friday night, April 26th at the Can-Am Motorsports Park. It will mark the third year in a row that the battle for the overall Lucas Oil Championship begins at the popular Northcountry oval and as the tradition continues it will be excitement guaranteed!!
For more information on the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints:
Web: www.empiresupersprints.com
Twitter: @ESSprints
Facebook: www.facebook.com/#!/
Android App: Empire Super Sprints
The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints are brought to you by: Lucas Oil, Le Groupe Ultra, SUNY Canton, Mach 1 Chassis, Today’s Options, Hoosier Racing Tires, Fondations 4 Saisons, Cobra Coaches, Westward Painting Company, Fondations 55, Camara Slate, North Eastern Pool and Spa, Car Mate Trailers, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Ohsweken Speedway, Dover Brake and Clutch, FX Chevy and many, many associate sponsors!!