By Dean Reynolds
SYRACUSE, NY – It all started in 1983, the birth of the Empire Super Sprints (ESS) now sponsored by Lucas Oil. This Friday marks the opener of the 33rd Anniversary Season and it starts at one of the old stomping grounds, the Outlaw Speedway in Dundee, NY.
Outlaw Speedway is under new ownership of Tyler Siri, the Yates County oval has hosted 64 ESS events dating back to 1984 when Lenny Krautheim graced victory lane. On Friday, the battle for the 2016 Tour Championship begins with a $2,000 to win event and it’s all part of the big opening Outlaw Sprint Nationals that kicks off their season as well.
The stars and cars of ESS will be out in force headed by Six-Time Champion Steve Poirier. His famed #28FM will make the long haul from Quebec. He will be joined by Jason Barney, Paul Kinney, Matt Tanner, Paulie Colagiovanni, Tommy Wickham, Shawn Donath, Dave Axton, Parker Evans, Denny Peebles, Pete Richardson, Keith Granholm and more.
New for 2016 will see the return of Sammy Reakes IV to the tour, Chad Miller will pilot Lee Gurney’s mount for a full tour assault and just announced this week former late model pilot Brandon Kidd will be aboard Doug Emery’s #33 at all ESS events.
Many outside travelers and part-time tour followers will fill the pits as well on Friday. Mark Smith will be aboard Patrick Vigneault’s #55, Davie Franek will trek up from New Jersey, the last ESS winner at Outlaw , Jared Zimbardi will make his return, Larry Kelleher, Steve Collins, George Suprick, Dane Lorenc, Dan Douville, Dave Just, Tyler Graves, Paul Habeck, Derrick Juliano and others are expected to see the work Siri has done with his new project.
The Beard Sewer and Drain Timed Hot Laps will be followed by the Car Mate Trailers Heat Events. Lane’s Yamaha will be sponsoring the Cobra Coaches Dash with the Lacaillade Masonry B-Main all leading up to the 25 lap A-Main paying $2,000 to win.
Pit Gates open at 4:30 with racing scheduled to begin at 7:00.
It’s the point opener for the Lucas Oil ESS Gang, we are back at in Dundee and the Outlaw Speedway will play host. Let’s kick off 2016 in grand style and it will be excitement guaranteed!!!
Past Empire Super Sprint Winners at Outlaw Speedway.
| Aug. 3, 1984 | Lenny Krautheim III |
| May 5, 1985 | Gordy Button |
| July 17, 1987 | Mal Lane |
| Sept. 11, 1987 | John Zentner |
| July 22, 1988 | Mal Lane |
| Aug. 19, 1988 | Gordy Button |
| Sept. 9, 1988 | John Brutcher |
| June 2, 1989 | Rick Crane |
| July 14, 1989 | Tom Taber |
| Aug. 11, 1989 | Rob Hart |
| Sept. 8, 1989 | Mal Lane |
| May 6, 1990 | Mal Lane |
| July 29, 1990 | Jeff Thomas |
| July 5, 1991 | Mal Lane |
| Aug. 9, 1991 | Kim Gagliardi |
| Aug. 30, 1991 | Tom Taber |
| Sept. 20, 1991 | Jeff Thomas |
| May 10, 1992 | Jeff Thomas |
| July 3, 1992 | Bobby Parrow |
| Aug. 7, 1992 | Bobby Parrow |
| Sept. 4, 1992 | Bobby Parrow |
| May 9, 1993 | Mal Lane |
| July 2, 1993 | Tom Taber |
| Aug. 6, 1993 | Craig Lane |
| May 30, 1994 | Kramer Williamson |
| July 3, 1994 | Craig Lane |
| Sept. 4, 1994 | Craig Keel |
| Sept. 8, 1995 | Craig Lane |
| April 20, 1996 | Craig Lane |
| Sept. 6, 1996 | Scott Holcomb |
| Sept. 5, 1997 | Tim Kelly |
| April 18, 1998 | Mike Woodring |
| Sept. 11, 1998 | Bobby Parrow |
| April 30, 1999 | Mike Woodring |
| July 14, 1999 | Bobby Parrow |
| Sept. 10, 1999 | Greg Coverdale |
| Rob Dietrick | |
| Dan Kaszubinski | |
| Sept. 11, 1999 | Craig Keel |
| April 15, 2000 | Dan Kaszubinski |
| July 3, 2000 | Mike Woodring |
| Sept. 8, 2000 | Scott Holcomb |
| Tom Taber | |
| George Suprick | |
| Sept. 9, 2000 | George Suprick |
| July 6, 2001 | John Karklin Jr. |
| Aug. 10, 2001 | Randy Years |
| Sept. 7, 2001 | Phil Mott |
| Sept. 8, 2001 | George Suprick |
| July 5, 2002 | Brian Dumigan |
| Aug. 9, 2002 | Mike Lutz |
| Sept. 6, 2002 | Chris Coyle |
| Dave McGough | |
| Erin Crocker | |
| Sept. 7, 2002 | Mike Woodring |
| April 12, 2003 | Mike Lutz |
| July 4, 2003 | John Karklin Jr. |
| Aug. 8, 2003 | Lance Yonge |
| Sept. 5, 2003 | Mike Lutz |
| Kevin Welsh | |
| Chris Coyle | |
| Sept. 6, 2003 | Scott Bonnell |
| Aug. 14, 2004 | Blake Breen |
| Sept. 10, 2004 | Midge Miller |
| Dave McGough | |
| Curt Michael | |
| Sept. 11, 2004 | Trevor Lewis |
| Aug. 19, 2005 | George Suprick |
| Sept. 10, 2005
Sept. 9, 2006 Apr. 12, 2008 May 9, 2011 July 8, 2011 July 18, 2014 |
Trevor Lewis
Curt Michael Justin Barger JJ Grasso Chuck Hebing Jared Zimbardi |
For more Information on Outlaw Speedway:
Web: http://www.outlawspeedwayllc.com/
Twitter: @OutlawSpeedPR
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OutlawSpeedwayLLC/?fref=ts
For more Information on the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints:
Web: www.empiresupersprints.com
Twitter: @ESSprints
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpireSuperSprints
Android App: Empire Super Sprints
The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints are brought to you by: Lucas Oil, Mach 1 Chassis, Einstein Construction, SUNY Canton, NAPA Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tires, Donath Motorworx, Insinger Performance, Car Mate Trailers, Fondations 4 Saisons, Beard Sewer and Drain, Cobra Coaches, Westward Painting Company, Fondations 55, E&V Energy, Panther Frameworx, YorkMont Auctions,, Engler Machine and Tool, Northwood 2 Construction,Brodix Cylinder Heads, Lacaillade Masonry, FX Chevy, ASI Racewear and many, many associate sponsors!!