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Empire Super Sprints Crown A Three-Peat Champion

By Barbara Patterson

Vernon, NY – On November 9, at the Vernon Downs Hotel, the Empire Super Sprints celebrated their 41st season by honoring 16 drivers. A familiar name was etched on the championship eagle trophy, as Jordan Poirier earned his third ESS Championship in back-to-back-to-back years.

The highlight of the evening was the crowning of Jordan “the Canadian Cannon” Poirier as the 2024 Empire Super Sprints Champion. Jordan beat out runner up Jason Barney, 3rd place Davie Franek, 4th place Matt Tanner and 5th place Billy VanInwegen. During the season, Jordan amassed 6 Rifenburg Contracting Corp. fast time awards, 9 E & V Energy heat wins, 1 Cobra Coaches dash win and 1 feature win at Autodrome Drummond Speedway in front of a packed house of family and friends. Jordan earned 13 top 5s, 21 top 10s and landed on the podium at 10 of the 22 races. In 76% of the A-mains, “Mr. Consistency” maintained his starting position, which often was from a top 12 redraw spot, or improved his finish 16 times.

Several special awards were handed out. The Malcolm Lane Award of Excellence was presented to Shawn Donath for exhibiting a most extraordinary commitment to sprint car racing. Jordan Poirier solidified the Coffrage 4 Saisons Canada Series Championship by winning the last race in the series. The peer-voted Mechanic of the Year award went to Mathieu Dubois, crew chief on the Jordan Poirier race team. Jason Barney was presented with the A-Verdi Hard Charger Award for passing the most cars (78) throughout the season. The DTD Most Improved Driver was Logan Crisafulli who bettered his stats by finishing 9th in points while earning 4 top 5s, 8 tops 10s and driving to his 1st ESS win. Jordan Poirier was presented with the perpetual Speedweek championship belt for being the CNY Speedweek Champion and won the Rifenburg Contracting Fast Time Series for consistently posting the fastest times during timed hot laps. Shawn Donath attained the Cobra Coaches Dash Series with four dash victories. He was presented a unique cobra snaked trophy and snake-skin cowboy boots for his crew chief daughter Briahna by Cobra Coaches owner Chuck Hebing. The Lane’s Yamaha Rookie of the Year was Evan Reynolds who moved from crate to 360 sprints this year, earned 4 top 10s, 2 hard charger awards and finished 12th in points. ESS Secretary Lori Cook was honored with a standing ovation for her 18 years of service. The drivers who competed in the entire tour and this season’s 12 feature winners were also honored.

ESS would like to thank Hoosier Tire Canada, FX Caprara, Cobra Coaches, Rifenburg Contracting Corp, Pinnacle Investments, A-Verdi Storage Containers, E & V Energy, Marathon Petroleum, Ashley Lynn Winery, Lacaillade Masonry, PJC Spray Foam, Coffrage 4 Saisons, Lane’s Yamaha, Dirt Track Digest and numerous dash sponsors for their support throughout the season. Thanks to the 16 promotors that bring “America’s Race Cars” to their tracks. A big thank you to the drivers, their crews and families, the staff, officials, and fans for a fantastic 2024 season!

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ESS Points Set to Conclude at Fulton Friday

By Curtis Berleue (Fulton, NY) | A points champion will be crowned this Friday night with the Empire Super Sprints at the Fulton Speedway.  With the final points event of 2024 on tap as part of the annual ‘Outlaw 200’ weekend, both the tour championship and the $2,000 winners share of the event are on the line.

Currently atop the points standings is Jordan Poirier, with 2,028 points.  The two time and defending champion has been a model of consistency all year long.  While only tallying one win to this point (Autodrome Drummond), he has completed an impressive 500 laps of feature action in 20 starts – meaning he has finished on the lead lap at every single event. In addition, he has only finished outside of the top 10 once – further solidifying his spot at the top of the standings.

Early season points leader Jason Barney is currently second with 1,911 points. He has three victories (Fulton, Brewerton, Granby) and 18 top 10’s to his credit, putting him 85 points ahead of current third place holder Davie Franek. While Franek also has perfect attendance and also has the most wins out of any driver in the top 5 in points with four (Freedom, Fulton, Brockville, Outlaw), he has just 13 top-10 finishes in his 20 starts.

Rounding out the top 5 in points headed into Fulton is Matt Tanner in fourth (1,734 points) and Billy VanInwegen in fifth (1,546 points).

In the three events held at the Fulton Speedway thus far in 2024, Jason Barney, Davie Franek and Joe Trenca have all picked up victories.

For a full schedule of events for this weekends action, along with admission pricing and gate times, be sure to check out both the Fulton Speedway website and Facebook page, along with the Empire Super Sprints social media pages.  After the points wrap up at Fulton on Friday, there is one more non-points event on the 2024 ESS calendar –  the annual Hoag Memorial at the Outlaw Speedway in Dundee, NY on Friday October 18 paying $4,000 to win.

For the latest news, information, and schedule updates regarding the Empire Super Sprints be sure to check the series website (www.EmpireSuperSprints.com) and follow along on Facebook (Empire Super Sprints), X (formerly Twitter – @ESSprints) and Instagram (@empiresupersprints).

The Empire Super Sprints would like to thank the following series sponsors for their continued support: Rifenburg Contracting Corp, PJC Spray Foam, Hoosier Racing Tire, Cobra Coaches, E&V Energy, A-Verdi Storage Containers, Fondations 4 Saisons, Pinnacle Investments, LLC, Lacaillade Masonry, Inc., FX Caprara, ASI Racewear, Lanes Yamaha, Ashley Lynn Winery, Bicknell Racing Products, DirtTrackDigest.com and LC Design.

The ESS Road Ahead:

Friday, October 4 – Fulton Speedway – Fulton, NY ($2,000 to Win)

Friday, October 18 – Outlaw Speedway – Dundee, NY ($4,000 to Win Hoag Memorial)

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Outlaw Fall Nationals Next for Empire Super Sprints

By Curtis Berleue (Dundee, NY) | As the 2024 season winds down for the Empire Super Sprints, there are just two points events remaining on the schedule.  This coming Friday, September 20 is the first, with the annual ‘Outlaw Fall Nationals’ on deck.

Paying tribute to the late Cal Lane, the Outlaw Fall Nationals Cal Lane Memorial is set to pay $4,220 to the winner in the 25-lap main event. In the lone event held at the Outlaw Speedway in ESS action so far this season Matt Tanner was victorious, picking up the Outlaw Summer Nationals.  One other stop was scheduled for the tour back in April, but Mother Nature had other plans as the event was cancelled due to rain.

Atop the tour championship standings once again sits two time and defending champion Jordan Poirier.  With 1926 points, Poirier holds a 127-point margin over Jason Barney in second. Though he only has one tour victory to this point in the season, Poirier has been a model of consistency with 11 top 5’s and 18 top 10’s in 20 points-paying starts.

Currently third in the standings is Davie Franek with 1699 points, and just 33 points behind him is Matt Tanner in fourth.  Four-time winner in 2024 Danny Varin rounds out the top five.

All gate times, admission prices and a nightly schedule of events for this Friday’s event at the Outlaw Speedway can be found on the track’s social media pages and website, along with the Empire Super Sprints social media pages.

For the latest news, information, and schedule updates regarding the Empire Super Sprints be sure to check the series website (www.EmpireSuperSprints.com) and follow along on Facebook (Empire Super Sprints), X (formerly Twitter – @ESSprints) and Instagram (@empiresupersprints).

The Empire Super Sprints would like to thank the following series sponsors for their continued support: Rifenburg Contracting Corp, PJC Spray Foam, Hoosier Racing Tire, Cobra Coaches, E&V Energy, A-Verdi Storage Containers, Fondations 4 Saisons, Pinnacle Investments, LLC, Lacaillade Masonry, Inc., FX Caprara, ASI Racewear, Lanes Yamaha, Ashley Lynn Winery, Bicknell Racing Products, DirtTrackDigest.com and LC Design.

The ESS Road Ahead:

Friday, September 20 – Outlaw Speedway – Dundee, NY ($4,220 to Win Outlaw Fall Nationals)

Friday, October 4 – Fulton Speedway – Fulton, NY ($2,000 to Win Outlaw 200 Weekend)

Friday, October 18 – Outlaw Speedway – Dundee, NY ($4,000 to Win Hoag Memorial)

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ESS Point Battle Heats Up Heading to Can-Am, Weedsport

By Curtis Berleue (LaFargeville, NY) | With just four full-point events remaining on the 2024 Empire Super Sprints calendar, the battle at the top of the point standings is as alive as ever. With another doubleheader weekend on tap at the Can-Am and Weedsport Speedways, drivers have two more chances at making headway in the final stretch of the season.

Since early July, two time and defending champion Jordan Poirier has been atop the standings, though recently early season points leader Jason Barney has climbed back into the second spot.  With 1830 points, Poirier holds a 111-point lead over Barney with 1719 points.  With a strong podium finish this past Saturday at Fulton, Barney was able to gain ground on Poirier, who had a 132-point cushion before the weekend began.

Davie Franek currently sits third in points with 1651, Matt Tanner is fourth with 1564 and Billy VanInwegen rounds out the top five with 1441.

The most recent Empire Super Sprints winner at Can-Am is Billy VanInwegen who was victorious when the tour visited last month on August second.  Jordan Poirier has also been strong at Can-Am, finishing third back in August and picking up the win at the speedway as part of last years CNY Speedweek.  Saturdays stop at the LaFargeville, NY oval will be critical for both drivers in the standings race.

As the tour moves south to Weedsport on Sunday, it’s anyone’s guess as to how the points standings will be affected.  Only one driver currently in the top five in points has a victory at the 3/8-mile oval, Jason Barney, though his victory came just over nine years ago in August of 2015.

More information on this weekends events including gate times and prices, along with an order of events can be found on either tracks social media pages, along with the Empire Super Sprints social media pages.

For the latest news, information, and schedule updates regarding the Empire Super Sprints be sure to check the series website (www.EmpireSuperSprints.com) and follow along on Facebook (Empire Super Sprints), X (formerly Twitter – @ESSprints) and Instagram (@empiresupersprints).

The Empire Super Sprints would like to thank the following series sponsors for their continued support: Rifenburg Contracting Corp, PJC Spray Foam, Hoosier Racing Tire, Cobra Coaches, E&V Energy, A-Verdi Storage Containers, Fondations 4 Saisons, Pinnacle Investments, LLC, Lacaillade Masonry, Inc., FX Caprara, ASI Racewear, Lanes Yamaha, Ashley Lynn Winery, Bicknell Racing Products, DirtTrackDigest.com and LC Design.

The ESS Road Ahead:

Saturday, September 7 – Can-Am Speedway – LaFargeville, NY ($2,000 to Win)

Sunday, September 8 – Weedsport Speedway – Weedsport, NY ($2,000 to Win)

Saturday, September 14 – Ohsweken Speedway – Ohsweken, ONT ($20,000 to Win Northern Sprint Car Nationals – No Points)

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Labor Day Triple Header on the Horizon for Empire Super Sprints

By Curtis Berleue (Brewerton, NY) | After a busy month of August, the Empire Super Sprints are ready to close out August and bring in September with a Labor Day weekend triple header. Starting on Friday, August 30 at the Brewerton Speedway, moving to the Fulton Speedway the following night and rounding out the weekend at the Utica-Rome Speedway on Sunday, September 1, the tour will have three straight nights of action with each night paying $2,000 to the winner.

In two previous stops this season at the track dubbed the ‘D-Shaped Dirt Demon’, Danny Varin and Jason Barney have found Brewerton Speedway victory lane.  Varin’s Don Gillette Memorial victory was his sixth win overall at the Speedway, tying Mal Lane for most ESS wins at the track.  Barney’s win was just his sixth at his hometown track, and first since May of 2019.

The tour has also visited the Fulton Speedway twice thus far in 2024, with Jason Barney opening the 2024 season with a victory back in April – his fourth in two years at Fulton.  Davie Frank also picked up a win at Fulton in July, scoring his second of three tour victories so far in 2024.

Keeping with the theme of two visits thus far in 2024, two main events have also been held at Utica-Rome to this point in the season.  NASCAR Truck Series competitor Stewart Friesen scored the win at Utica-Rome’s CNY Speedweek stop on July 4, while less than two weeks ago Billy VanInwegen picked up $5,000 at the Vernon, NY oval in the Cole Cup.

With the season starting to wind down as the temperatures start to drop into early fall, two time and defending tour champion Jordan Poirier still sits atop the points standings with 1684 points, now starting to pull away from second place Davie Franek after his victory this past weekend in Quebec.  Franek is 132 points behind Poirier with 1552, and Jason Barney sits third with 1543 points, just nine points behind Franek.

For a full listing of gate times, admission prices and a nightly schedule of events for each race this weekend, be sure to visit each tracks social media pages and website, along with the Empire Super Sprints social media pages as they will be posted when available.

For the latest news, information, and schedule updates regarding the Empire Super Sprints be sure to check the series website (www.EmpireSuperSprints.com) and follow along on Facebook (Empire Super Sprints), X (formerly Twitter – @ESSprints) and Instagram (@empiresupersprints).

The Empire Super Sprints would like to thank the following series sponsors for their continued support: Rifenburg Contracting Corp, PJC Spray Foam, Hoosier Racing Tire, Cobra Coaches, E&V Energy, A-Verdi Storage Containers, Fondations 4 Saisons, Pinnacle Investments, LLC, Lacaillade Masonry, Inc., FX Caprara, ASI Racewear, Lanes Yamaha, Ashley Lynn Winery, Bicknell Racing Products, DirtTrackDigest.com and LC Design.

The ESS Road Ahead:

Friday, August 30 – Brewerton Speedway – Brewerton, NY ($2,000 to Win)

Saturday, August 31 – Fulton Speedway – Fulton, NY ($2,000 to Win)

Sunday, September 1 – Utica Rome Speedway – Vernon, NY ($2,000 to Win)

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ESS Heads to Quebec for Pair of $3,000 to Win Events at Granby and Drummond

By Curtis Berleue (Granby, QC) | Each year, the Empire Super Sprints make an annual pilgrimage far north to the province of Quebec.  2024 is no different, as this weekend the stars of the Empire Super Sprints will invade Autodrome Granby on Friday August 23 and Autodrome Drummond on Saturday August 24.

Last season, Jeff Cook sat in victory lane at Autodrome Granby, marking what is likely his final ESS victory. At Autodrome Drummond last season, Matt Tanner was victorious when he picked up his second win of the season.

Headed into this weekends Quebec swing, there are nine points-paying events left on the Empire Super Sprints schedule. Two time and defending champion Jordan Poirier is once again atop the standings.  While Poirier has yet to sit in victory lane in 2024, he has been a model of consistency having not finished outside of the top 10 in any event so far this season.

Second in points is New Jersey’s Davie Franek, just 17 points back from Poirier.  Franek has three victories on the season thus far (Freedom, Fulton and Brockville), and will look to close the gap even further this weekend.

Third in points is Jason Barney, 91 points back from Franek, Matt Tanner sits fourth in points and Billy VanInwegen rounds out the top five.

For this weekend’s events at Autodrome Granby and Autodrome Drummond, be sure to check both the tracks and ESS social media pages for information regarding gate times and prices, along with a nightly order of events.

For the latest news, information, and schedule updates regarding the Empire Super Sprints be sure to check the series website (www.EmpireSuperSprints.com) and follow along on Facebook (Empire Super Sprints), X (formerly Twitter – @ESSprints) and Instagram (@empiresupersprints).

The Empire Super Sprints would like to thank the following series sponsors for their continued support: Rifenburg Contracting Corp, PJC Spray Foam, Hoosier Racing Tire, Cobra Coaches, E&V Energy, A-Verdi Storage Containers, Fondations 4 Saisons, Pinnacle Investments, LLC, Lacaillade Masonry, Inc., FX Caprara, ASI Racewear, Lanes Yamaha, Ashley Lynn Winery, Bicknell Racing Products, DirtTrackDigest.com and LC Design.

The ESS Road Ahead:

Friday, August 23 – Autodrome Granby – Granby, QC ($3,000 to Win)

Saturday, August 24 – Autodrome Drummond – Drummondville, QC ($3,000 to Win)

Friday, August 30 – Brewerton Speedway – Brewerton, NY ($2,000 to Win)

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$5,000 to Win Cole Cup at Utica Rome Speedway Next for Empire Super Sprints

By Curtis Berleue (Vernon, NY) | After a week off from action, the Empire Super Sprints are ready to hit the track again this weekend at the Utica-Rome Speedway in Vernon, NY.  Saturday, August 17 will see the return of the Cole Cup. The $5,000 to win event is the highest paying full points event on the tours 2024 calendar.

This will be the second of three scheduled stops for the Empire Super Sprints at Utica-Rome this season, with Stewart Friesen picking up the win in the first back on July 4 as part of the CNY Speedweek.  Friesen is also tied with Jason Barney for the most wins in the history of the Cole Cup, winning the first two running’s in 2013 & 2014. Barney’s victories in the event came in 2017 and 2022.  Other winners of the event are Mark Smith (2016) and Davie Franek (2019).

As the series inches closer to the conclusion of the 2024 season, Jordan Poirier still sits atop the points standings with 1332 points, holding a lead of 26 points over Davie Franek (1306).  Jason Barney is currently third with 1288 points, followed by Matt Tanner and Billy VanInwegen to round out the top five.

A full listing of information for this weekends event including gate prices, start times and a schedule of events will be available on both the Utica-Rome Speedway and Empire Super Sprints social media pages, along with the Utica-Rome Speedway website (www.uticaromespeedway.com).

For the latest news, information, and schedule updates regarding the Empire Super Sprints be sure to check the series website (www.EmpireSuperSprints.com) and follow along on Facebook (Empire Super Sprints), X (formerly Twitter – @ESSprints) and Instagram (@empiresupersprints).

The Empire Super Sprints would like to thank the following series sponsors for their continued support: Rifenburg Contracting Corp, PJC Spray Foam, Hoosier Racing Tire, Cobra Coaches, E&V Energy, A-Verdi Storage Containers, Fondations 4 Saisons, Pinnacle Investments, LLC, Lacaillade Masonry, Inc., FX Caprara, ASI Racewear, Lanes Yamaha, Ashley Lynn Winery, Bicknell Racing Products, DirtTrackDigest.com and LC Design.

The ESS Road Ahead:

Saturday, August 17 – Utica-Rome Speedway – Vernon, NY ($5,000 to Win Cole Cup)

Friday, August 23 – Autodrome Granby – Granby, QC ($3,000 to Win)

Saturday, August 24 – Autodrome Drummond – Drummondville, QC ($3,000 to Win)

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Can Am, Brockville Next for Empire Super Sprints

By Curtis Berleue (LaFargeville, NY) | The month of August for the Empire Super Sprints will start out with the first visit of the year to both the Can-Am Speedway and Brockville Ontario Speedway.  By this point in the season, both tracks had already hoped to have a visit from ESS in the books, however Mother Nature had other plans as both the tours scheduled visit to Brockville on June 22 and Can-Am on July 3 were rained out.

When the stars of the Empire Super Sprints roll north this weekend, two-time champion and current points leader Jordan Poirier will be the one every driver has their sights on to beat as he is also the most recent winner at Can-Am, having won 2023’s CNY Speedweek stop at the track.

With last year’s visit to Brockville also falling to rain, it’s anyone’s guess as to who could be sitting in victory lane at the 3/8 mile oval.  The last time the tour made a stop there was in 2019, and the only active driver with a win at the track in ESS action is Jason Barney, with that win coming 7 years ago.

While there are still 12 points-paying races left on the 2024 ESS schedule, the battle in the standings is starting to heat up.  Defending champion Jordan Poirier currently sits atop the list with 1117 points, holding a slim 8-point lead over Jason Barney.  Davie Franek is third with 1062 points, followed by Matt Tanner and Billy VanInwegen.

All persons entering the pits on Saturday at Brockville should be reminded that a digital waiver must be signed per the tracks insurance, and no paper waiver will be available at the track.  The waiver can be found at https://bos.speedwaiver.com .

The official order of events for both nights, along with pricing for each event can be found on both tracks’ website and Facebook pages, along with on the Empire Super Sprints social media channels. 

For the latest news, information, and schedule updates regarding the Empire Super Sprints be sure to check the series website (www.EmpireSuperSprints.com) and follow along on Facebook (Empire Super Sprints), X (formerly Twitter – @ESSprints) and Instagram (@empiresupersprints).

The Empire Super Sprints would like to thank the following series sponsors for their continued support: Rifenburg Contracting Corp, PJC Spray Foam, Hoosier Racing Tire, Cobra Coaches, E&V Energy, A-Verdi Storage Containers, Fondations 4 Saisons, Pinnacle Investments, LLC, Lacaillade Masonry, Inc., FX Caprara, ASI Racewear, Lanes Yamaha, Ashley Lynn Winery, Bicknell Racing Products, DirtTrackDigest.com and LC Design.

The ESS Road Ahead:

Friday, August 2 – Can-Am Speedway – LaFargeville, NY ($2,000 to Win)

Saturday, August 3 – Brockville Ontario Speedway – Brockville, ONT ($2,000 to Win)

Saturday, August 17 – Utica-Rome Speedway – Vernon, NY ($5,000 to Win Cole Cup)

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Empire Super Sprints Set to Close Out July at Outlaw Speedway & Woodhull Raceway

By Curtis Berleue (Dundee, NY) | As the busiest month of the season winds down, the Empire Super Sprints are set to close out July this Friday and Saturday at the Outlaw Speedway and Woodhull Raceway, respectively.

Friday’s stop at the Outlaw Speedway marks the first of what should have been four scheduled stops for the tour at the Dundee, NY oval (the scheduled event in April succumbed to Mother Nature). Sharing the card with the ULMS super late models, the stars of the Empire Super Sprints will compete for $4,000 to win in the annual ‘Outlaw Summer Nationals’. 

Two events for the 360 sprint cars were held at Outlaw in 2023. ‘The Juice’ Jared Zimbardi broke into victory lane in this event one year ago, while Jordan Thomas is the most recent tour winner at Outlaw, having picked up the win at the ‘Outlaw Fall Nationals’ last September.

Saturday’s trip to the Woodhull Raceway will be just the 12th stop in tour history at the Steuben County facility.  After a fourteen-year absence, it was Robbie Stillwaggon who sat in victory lane last year, winning over Shawn Donath and Jordan Poirier.

Additional support for this weekend’s Cobra Coaches Dash series comes from Lanes Yamaha, who will be presenting the dash on Friday night at Outlaw, and Mary Ennis presenting the dash Saturday at Woodhull.

Going into this weekend, two time and defending champion Jordan Poirier currently holds the points lead by just 34 points over Davie Franek.  2017 & 2021 champion Jason Barney is currently third in points, with Danny Varin fourth and Matt Tanner rounding out the top five.

A full order of events, along with gate times and admission prices for this weekend’s events can be found on both the Outlaw Speedway and Woodhull Raceway’s social media pages, along with on the Empire Super Sprints Facebook and X pages.

For the latest news, information, and schedule updates regarding the Empire Super Sprints be sure to check the series website (www.EmpireSuperSprints.com) and follow along on Facebook (Empire Super Sprints), X (formerly Twitter – @ESSprints) and Instagram (@empiresupersprints).

The Empire Super Sprints would like to thank the following series sponsors for their continued support: Rifenburg Contracting Corp, PJC Spray Foam, Hoosier Racing Tire, Cobra Coaches, E&V Energy, A-Verdi Storage Containers, Fondations 4 Saisons, Pinnacle Investments, LLC, Lacaillade Masonry, Inc., FX Caprara, ASI Racewear, Lanes Yamaha, Ashley Lynn Winery, Bicknell Racing Products, DirtTrackDigest.com and LC Design.

The ESS Road Ahead:

Friday, July 26 – Outlaw Speedway – Dundee, NY ($4,000 to Win Outlaw Summer Nationals)

Saturday, July 27 – Woodhull Raceway – Woodhull, NY ($2,000 to Win)

Friday, August 2 – Can-Am Speedway – LaFargeville, NY ($2,000 to Win)

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Empire Super Sprints Invade Albany-Saratoga and Fonda This Weekend

By Curtis Berleue (Malta, NY) | Following another successful CNY Speedweek, the Empire Super Sprints are ready to roar back to action this weekend.  An eastern NY doubleheader will see the tour make their only stops of 2024 at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway this Friday night, followed by the Fonda Speedway on Saturday.

Friday’s action at Albany-Saratoga will be the 34th visit in tour history to the 4/10 mile oval located in Malta, NY.  Last season, it was Matt Tanner in victory lane at ‘The Great Race Place’.  In 33 previous events run, Craig Keel and Dan Kaszubinski are tied for a tour record four wins each.  No currently active driver, however, has been able to repeat success at Albany Saratoga, with Tanner, Jordan Poirier and Jason Barney scoring the three most recent victories.

Saturday’s stop at the Fonda Speedway will be the annual Earl Halaquist Memorial. Each year, the Earl Halaquist Memorial is held in honor of one of the most accomplished sprint car drivers in the Northeast, Earl Halaquist.  Competing across NY, NJ, PA, VA, NC, MD VT, Canada and more, Halaquist amassed 53 URC wins and six championships. Halaquist, a World War II veteran, was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, IA in 2000 before his passing in 2001.

Last season’s Earl Halaquist Memorial winner was Danny Varin, who has amassed an impressive 7 wins in his last 8 ESS starts at the Fonda Speedway.  Varin is also coming off a win in the most recent ESS event – Sunday July 7th’s visit to the Weedsport Speedway – his second win thus far in 2024.

Additional support on the weekend will come from We Know Tools – Paul Wehnau’s Snap-on on Friday night as the presenting sponsor of the Cobra Coaches Dash, and One Zee Tees on Saturday as the dash presenting sponsor.

Additional information on the weekends event including gate times, admission prices and a nightly schedule of events can be found on both tracks websites/social media pages, along with on the Empire Super Sprints social media pages.

For the latest news, information, and schedule updates regarding the Empire Super Sprints be sure to check the series website (www.EmpireSuperSprints.com) and follow along on Facebook (Empire Super Sprints), Twitter (@ESSprints) and Instagram (@empiresupersprints).

The Empire Super Sprints would like to thank the following series sponsors for their continued support: Rifenburg Contracting Corp, PJC Spray Foam, Hoosier Racing Tire, Cobra Coaches, E&V Energy, A-Verdi Storage Containers, Fondations 4 Saisons, Pinnacle Investments, LLC, Lacaillade Masonry, Inc., FX Caprara, ASI Racewear, Lanes Yamaha, Ashley Lynn Winery, Bicknell Racing Products, DirtTrackDigest.com and LC Design.

The ESS Road Ahead:

Friday, July 19 – Albany-Saratoga Speedway – Malta, NY ($2,000 to Win)

Saturday, July 20 – Fonda Speedway – Fonda, NY ($2,000 to Win Earl Halaquist Memorial)

Friday, July 26 – Outlaw Speedway – Dundee, NY ($4,000 to Win Outlaw Summer Nationals)

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