By Dean Reynolds
Contact: DeanR@empiresupersprints.com

 SYRACUSE, NY – On Saturday night, December 1, a sold out Hambletonian Room at the luxurious Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel honored Quebec’s Steve Poirier as he captured the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) 35^th Anniversary Tour championship. The title was his eighth of his ESS career and now tied him with Mike Woodring for the most championships in the sprint car organizations history.

Poirier took home $9,398 from the $90,417 payout which included a record $60.125 in cash. A total of 24 different drivers took home from the point fund after a very successful 2018 season.

Not only did Poirier receive accolades from his overall Lucas Oil championship but he was also crowned the 1000 Islands RV Centre Canada Tour Champion, he won the Fondations 4 Saisons Quebec Series and the Danny Willmes Lap Leader title as well. Other point fund champions included Jason Barney for winning the NAPA Auto Parts US Tour, Danny Varin captured the Donath MotorWorx CNY Speedweek and E&V Energy point titles, Shawn Donath was the Cobra Coaches Dash Series champion with Billy VanInwegen the Insinger Performance Fuels Hard Charger.

The driver of the familiar #28FM won nine A-Main events during the year but the title fight between Poirier and Barney came right down to the final point event with Poirier edging the 2017 champion by a mere 25 points.  For Barney, who took home $7,373 from the banquet, it was his fourth runner-up finish in the points which shows his tour consistency.

Many special awards filled the agenda for the night. The Outstanding New Comer Award went to VanInwegen who finished fifth in points in his first year on the Lucas Oil Tour.  The Lane’s Yamaha Rookie of the Year was won by Josh Flint with the Most Improved Driver being Kelly Hebing.  All three awards were very popular with the packed banquet room.

The annual Mach 1 Chassis Hard Luck Award was won by Paulie Colagiovanni. The fast running teenager had to cut his season short due to injury but told the crowd he’s fully healed and will be back in 2019.  The Mechanic of the Year Award was won by Dave Donath, father of Shawn Donath. Dave’s wife Nancy accepted the award on his behalf.

The prestigious John Zentner Memorial Award was given to Paul Kinney. In his seven years on tour, his dedication goes without question as you can count on one hand the amount of events that he has missed.  The Mal Lane Award of Excellence went to Charlie Caprara. Not only has he been a long-time supporter of ESS but also a huge fan of the winged machines. 

The 2018 ESS Hall of Fame induction class was top sprint car wheelman John Birosh along with long time and respected tech inspector Mike Seiver. Their speeches were filled with emotion and excitement about the future for ESS.

Three well earned standing ovations made for a special night, Steve Poirier for his eighth title, Doug Emery who is leaving the ranks as a driver and owner after 30 years and also for well liked Tech Inspector Brian Ennis who will be retiring from his ESS duties.  

The rules meeting the preceded the banquet saw very little change going into 2019 with one exception that the minimum weight required for each ESS event will be 1500 lbs. The schedule is very close to completion with a scheduled January 1^st release.

2019 Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints Banquet Totals

Steve Poirier – $9,448

Jason Barney – $7,423

Coleman Gulick – $5,198

Matt Tanner – $5,461

Billy VanInwegen – $5,973

Paul Kinney – $3,446

Mike Mahaney – $5.046

Shawn Donath – $4,381

Danny Varin – $5,436

Matt Billings – $4,336

Jeff Cook – $3,896

Chad Miller – $2,861

Paulie Colagiovanni – $5,486

Kelly Hebing – $3,091

Jonathan Preston – $2,586

Chuck Hebing – $736

Brett Wright – $2,536

Dave Axton – $2,141

Scott Holcomb – $2,136

Dan Douville – $2,211

Denny Peebles – $1,736

Josh Flint – $2,346

Keith Granholm – $2,071

Jordan Poirier – $286

Mark Smith – $200

2019 Lucky Giveaway Program

Brodix Cylinder Heads Set of Heads – Mike Mahaney/Doug Emery

Winters Performance Rear End – Jason Barney

Walker Performance Filtration Filter System – Jeff Cook

Kevin Nouse Designs K1 RaceGear Drivers Suit – Billy VanInwegen

JE Pistons Set of Pistons – Matt Billings

Simpson Safety Vudu Helmet – Coleman Gulick

Wings Unlimited Top Wing – Keith Granholm

Super Gen Products/Champion Power Equipment Generator – Danny Varin

Beyea Headers $750 Certificate – Jonathan Preston

Panther Frameworx $500 Certificate – Steve Poirier

ASI Racewear $500 Certificate – Paulie Colagiovanni

M&W Aluminum Products $500 Certificate – Josh Flint

KSE Racing Products Power Steering Pump – Dan Douville

87 Speed Parts Giveaway – Scott Holcomb

Maxim Racing $500 Certificate – Brett Wright

Adirondack Powder Coating Blast and Powder Coat – Matt Tanner

ATL Fuel Cells Fuel Tank Shell – Denny Peebles

Schoenfeld Headers Set of Headers – Chad Miller, Jonathan Preston, Scott Holcomb

Pa Dyno Chassis Dyno – Billy VanInwegen

Other Prize Giveaways

Slade Shock Technology – Kelly Hebing

Keizer Racing Wheels – Shawn Donath

Wings Unlimited – Dave Axton, Shawn Donath, Matt Tanner

XXX Race Products – Paul Kinney

Area Auto Racing News/Simpson Safety – Coleman Gulick

Graphics Girls – Dan Douville

PXP Racing Underwear – Coleman Gulick, Danny Varin.

For more Information on the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints:
Web: www.empiresupersprints.com
Twitter: @ESSprints
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpireSuperSprints

 The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints are brought to you by: Lucas Oil, Mach 1 Chassis, NAPA Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tires, Donath Motorworx, E3 Spark Plugs, Insinger Performance/Sunoco Race Fuels, 1000 Islands RV Centre, Car Mate Trailers, Fondations 4 Saisons, Ohsweken Speedway/Canadian Sprint Car Nationals, Cobra Coaches, Fondations 55, E&V Energy, SUNY Canton, Pinnacle Employee Services, Engler Machine and Tool, Kevin Nouse Design/K1 Racegear, Winters Performance, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Lacaillade Masonry, FX Caprara Ford/Chevy, ASI Racewear and many, many associate sponsors!!