By Dean Reynolds
SYRACUSE, NY – It was a successful 30th Anniversary from April to September and its time to honor the many sprint car drivers from the United States and Canada. The annual Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) Banquet will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel.
No less than 23 different drivers will be receiving cash and awards during the evening. The driver that will be getting the bulk of the accolades and sitting at the head table will be Steve Poirier who is celebrating his fourth overall ESS championship.
Poirier almost made a complete sweep of the point standings but not just winning the overall Lucas Oil title, but he also won the Le Groupe Ultra Tour of Canada, Today’s Options Stars and Stripes, the SUNY Canton Series, Cobra Coaches Dash Series and Gater New Lap Leader tallies as well.
Only Dylan Swiernik, the Fondations 4 Saisons Hard Charger Series, ironically owned by the Poirier family and Michael Parent who won the SUNY Canton CNY Speedweek title kept the Quebec star from the sweep.
The night will also be very special in many aspects, perfect attendance, A-Main winners, the Lucas Oil ESS Mechanic of the Year, The Mach 1 Chassis Hard Luck Award and the Pilat Design Most Improved Driver will be handed out.
Special moments will be filled by the prestigious and annual John Zenter Memorial Award and the Malcolm Lane Award of Excellence. Also, two more inductees to the ESS Hall of Fame will be announced.
The annual rules meeting will precede the the banquet and then at 5:30 the cocktail hour begins. The Casino Classic Buffet will be served, Matt Thomas and Michael Ellis will provide video highlights with DJ Pat LaPage once again keeping the dance floor busy to the wee hours of the morning.
A special ESS block for rooms has been set aside with a special rate of $89 a night. For more information you can log on to www.empiresupersprints.com where the entire banquet flyer and dinner order form is posted.
It’s been a great 2013, ESS returned to Selinsgrove, Albany-Saratoga, Humberstone, Fulton and Ohsweken along with the first ever visit to I-88. The inaugural Cole Cup, The “Asphalt Assault” at Evans Mills was a treat and who can forget the CNY Speedweek.
Saturday night, Nov. 16 is the date, Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel is the site and for over 30 years it will be excitement guaranteed!!