Results-2021

July 6 2021

Jason Barney Makes Statement with Fulton Lucas Oil ESS CNY Speedweek Win

ESS SprintsResults-2021

History > Tour Archive > 2021 > 2021 Results Page > Fulton Speedway 7/3/2021

Jason Barney Makes Statement with Fulton Lucas Oil ESS CNY Speedweek Win

Published July 6, 2021

FULTON, NY – After what he would call a disappointing finish the night before at the Brewerton Speedway, Jason Barney focused on Saturday night at the Fulton Speedway to pick up the PJC Spray Foam CNY Speedweek win. It was his first win on Speedweek and his third overall on Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) 2021 campaign.

The win for the Brewerton, NY driver netted him a $2560 payday and put him on top of the CNY Speedweek point standings heading into the final event at the Weedsport Speedway. The 25 lap A-Main went non-stop from green to checkered in front of a big Fulton crowd.

While the drive to do better was there, the former ESS champion did admit a little lady luck was on his side. “Last night something happened to my steering for half a lap, the car corrected itself and we really didn’t know what it was,” Barney explained, “Then on the first lap in time trials the steering arm broke. So, I was half a lap from disaster last night and we got lucky it broke when it did tonight. It put us behind the eight ball tonight, but we just kept digging.”

With the troubles he had to start last in his heat but finished second and made the A-Main redraw. Drawing fifth, he made his moves to the front and then passed what could be considered his championship rival Paulie Colagiovanni on to the win. “After the heat was all got confidence as a team that we had a good car. We felt very fortunate with our luck and we prepared to take what we could get. But, the guys just gave me a great car,” he went on, “To pass Paulie makes it just a bit more special, for the past year and half or so he has set the bar. He’s been the best in ESS and is the star of the club for the future. Most of the time it’s who starts in front of who but tonight we were fortunate to pass him for the win.”

Colagiovanni backed up his opening night Speedweek win at Can-Am with the runner-up finish at Fulton. “We had a good car, with the race going non-stop you hope you were finding the right line to run and get through the slower cars ok,” said the defending ESS champion, “You want to win, but we are happy with second and we will go to Weedsport and try to get the win there.”

One driver that has passed quite a few cars the last two nights has been Danny Varin. He collected the $50 hard charger bonus on both nights, passing 16 cars at Brewerton and nine (9) cars at Fulton which is a feat in a non-stop event. “We definitely have passed cars! We are finally getting the car comfortable for me to drive. I just didn’t know what was wrong up until that last few nights,” Varin commented on his early season troubles, “I just couldn’t have a feel for the car and it was frustrating. It wasn’t cause lack of effort, we were trying hard to get it right.

“We threw some things at it at Brewerton during the B-Main and we seemed to have found something to build on,” Varin continued, “Now if we can get a better start to the night and start further to the front hopefully we can get some more podiums.”

Shawn Donath brpught home his #53 to a fine fourth ahead of Brewerton winner Larry Wight in fifth. The next five was made up of Matt Farnham, Matt Tanner, Kelly Hebing, Billy VanInwegen and Jeff Cook.

Heats for the 32 sprints on hand were won by Colagiovanni, Davie Franek, Wight and Donath. The dash was taken by Ryan Coniam with Tommy Wickham copping the B-Main.

Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints A-Main – Fulton Speedway CNY Speedweek – July 3^rd, 2021 – Jason Barney ($2560), Paulie Colagiovanni ($1820), Danny Varin ($1060), Shawn Donath ($750), Larry Wight ($580), Matt Farnham ($470), Matt Tanner ($430), Kelly Hebing ($495), Billy VanInwegen ($410), Jeff Cook ($400), Chuck Hebing ($410), Davie Franek ($370), Scott Kreutter ($300), Dylan Swiernik ($300), Scott Holcomb ($300), Tyler Cartier ($300), Jake Karklin ($350), Sammy Reakes IV ($300), Jonathan Preston ($300), Denny Peebels ($100), Keith Granholm ($100), Lacey Hanson ($300), Joe Trenca ($300), Tommy Wickham ($350), Bobby Parrow ($300).

DNS – Ryan Coniam

DNQ – John Smith, Alysha Ruggles, Daryl Ruggles, Dalton Herrick, Dave Marcuccilli, Chad Miller.

Bonuses:

PJC Spray Foam Hard Charger – Varin ($50 – 9 Pos.)

Rifenburg Contracting Halfway – Barney ($50).

Pinnacle Pole Award – Colagiovanni ($50).

Lacaillade Masonry B-Main – Wickham ($50)

E&V Energy Heats – Colagiovanni, Franek, Wight, Donath ($25)

ESS Media Team Fast Time – Colagiovanni, Franek, Wight, Donath ($25).

Noftsier Tax Services/Cobra Coaches Dash – Coniam ($125), K. Hebing ($75), Karklin ($50), C. Hebing ($50)

Ashley Lynn Winery Podium – Barney, Colagiovanni, Varin – $10

Hoosier Tire – Colagiovanni ($210)

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, NAPA Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tires, PJC Spray Foam, Fondations 4 Saisons, Ohsweken Speedway/Canadian Sprint Car Nationals, Cobra Coaches, Fondations 55, E&V Energy Pinnacle Employee Services, Rifenburg Contracting, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Lacaillade Masonry, FX Caprara Ford/Chevy, ASI Racewear and many, many associate sponsors!!

July 6 2021

Larry Wight Defends Home Turf with Lucas Oil ESS CNY Speedweek win at Brewerton

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History > Tour Archive > 2021 > 2021 Results Page > Brewerton Speedway 7/2/2021

Larry Wight Defends Home Turf with Lucas Oil ESS CNY Speedweek win at Brewerton

Published July 6, 2021

BREWERTON, NY – The last time the Central New York (CNY) Speedweek visited the Brewerton Speedway in 2019, big block modified regular Larry Wight took home the checkered flag at his home track. On Friday night, he repeated the task winning the annual Don Gillette Memorial and collecting $2,840 for the victory with the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS).

The event was #2 on the PJC Spray Foam CNY Speedweek as the night before at Land of Legends fell victim to rain.

Wight took the lead on lap 11 restart from race long leader Sammy Reakes IV and masterfully maneuvered his way through lapped traffic to pick up the checkered flag, which was ESS career win #7. “The guys gave me a good car, we made some changes as it was a bit too tight early in the night. Then I was just trying to fine the right lines to get to the front.” Wight said, “I got a good restart on Sammy and had good momentum going into one and it worked.”

Wight did put distance between him, Reakes and Jason Barney in the middle stages. As the final 14 laps went under green lapped traffic figured into the fray, but the #99L wasn’t to be denied. He went on about a win at home, “It always feels good to win in front of friends and family. It helps to run weekly here when you do jump into the sprint. We hope to give it a shot the next two nights at Fulton and Weedsport.”

Matt Tanner slipped by Reakes to take the runner up position at the podium and for the Stephentown, NY star, it was a second place filled with relief. “We just never seem to get going good here and tonight we had a real good run, I’m very happy,” Matt said with a smile, “I don’t know if we had a car for Larry but to be here in the podium is good for the whole team.”

For Reakes who can also call Brewerton a home track, a third was also greeted with many smiles. But his podium finish came down to the final few feet at the checkered when Danny Varin tried to take the third-place tally from Reakes at the line. “Wow, that was close! I didn’t want to lose third on the very last lap!” Sammy described the wild finish with Varin, “I saw him coming, we did touch and then it was hang on! Danny did everything to try to avoid the contact, I actually could see him try to steer away. I’m just glad we did get the third.”

Varin’s effort has to be noticed as well as he came from the 20^th starting position to claim fourth at the finish and earned the hard charger honors. Dylan Swiernik continues with his very consistent finishes by taking fifth. The next five were made up of Barney, Evans Mills winner Tommy Wickham, Shawn Donath, Davie Franek and Jonathan Preston.

Nick Fratto, Jeff Cook, Jake Karklin and Ryan Coniam all found their way onto their wings but all drivers were ok with Cook and Karklin able to continue on during the night.

Heat wins were won by Donath, Wight and Wickham. Joe Trenca won the dash with Chuck Hebing taking the B-Main checkered.

Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints A-Main – Brewerton Speedway CNY Speedweek – July 2^nd, 2021 – Larry Wight ($2840), Matt Tanner ($1535), Sammy Reakes IV ($1280), Danny Varin ($960), Dylan Swiernik ($530), Jason Barney ($470), Tommy Wickham ($455), Shawn Donath ($445), Davie Franek ($410), Jonathan Preston ($475), Scott Holcomb ($385), Kelly Hebing ($320), Billy VanInwegen ($300), Chad Miller ($300), Tyler Cartier ($300), Paulie Colagiovanni ($300), Denny Peebles ($300), Joe Trenca ($400), John Smith ($350), Jake Karklin ($300), Dalton Herrick ($325), Lacey Hanson ($100), Chuck Hebing ($350), Jeff Cook ($325), Nick Fratto ($300).

DNQ – Keith Granholm, Bobby Parrow, Ryan Coniam.

Bonuses:

Don Gillette Memorial Lap Money – Wight ($280), Reakes ($220)

PJC Spray Foam Hard Charger – Danny Varin ($50 – 16 Pos.)

Rifenburg Contracting Halfway – Larry Wight ($50).

Pinnacle Pole Award – Sammy Reakes IV ($50).

Lacaillade Masonry B-Main – C. Hebing ($50)

E&V Energy Heats – Donath, Wight, Wickham ($25)

ESS Media Team Fast Time – Coniam, Cook, Tanner. ($25).

Noftsier Tax Services/Cobra Coaches Dash – Trenca ($100), Preston ($75), Smith ($50), Holcomb ($25), Herrick ($25), Cook ($25).

Ashley Lynn Winery Podium – Wight, Tanner, Reakes IV – $10

Hoosier Tire – Varin ($210)

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

July 2 2021

Paulie Colagiovanni Opens Lucas Oil ESS CNY Speedweek with win at Can-Am

ESS SprintsResults-2021

History > Tour Archive > 2021 > 2021 Results Page > Can-Am Speedway 6/30/2021

Paulie Colagiovanni Opens Lucas Oil ESS CNY Speedweek with win at Can-Am

Published July 2, 2021

LaFARGEVILLE, NY – If you were a betting person, it’s becoming almost a sure bet that defending Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) Champion Paulie Colagiovanni will win at the Can-Am Speedway. Taking the lead from Jeff Cook on lap one restart, the 20-year-old driver took the first leg of the PJC Spray Foam Central New York Speedweek where he is also the 2019 titlist.

The win was Colagiovanni’s first on the 2021 Lucas Oil campaign and his fourth in a row at the LaFargeville 4/10ths mile oval. “We like it here and I like the big tracks,” said the driver from Cicero, NY, “We softened the car up some and it worked really good. It (the car) got a little looser in the race but I moved the wing back and that helped.”

As mentioned earlier he is the past Speedweek champion and that is the goal again this year, “It’s going to be a tough four or five days, lots of coffee, work and stay out of wrecks,” he went on, “You just need to keep finishing on the podium and that’s what we did in 2019. Just hope we can do it again.’

The final 24 laps did go non-stop with Jason Barney coming from his 10^th place starting position to claim the runner-up honors, a little over two seconds behind the winner. “I couldn’t be happier, we are notoriously pretty bad here (Can-Am) so this was a good run,” Barney continued, “We kind of came with a plan to finish fifth or sixth, so we will definitely take a second. The guys gave me a great race car.”

The 2017 ESS champ is currently sitting atop the overall points and second to the 2019 champ was welcomed, “Paulie is good, whether you start ahead or behind him you know he’s probably the guy to beat,” said the driver of the familiar #87, “It’s a good start to a very long week and we just hope we can keep the good runs going and have some luck.”

Dylan Swiernik has finished in the top 10 in all the ESS events so far this year, with a third-place finish at his local track the highlight. “This track has neglected my so much, I’ve had so much bad luck here. I’ve been on the podium here but I also feel like I’ve destroyed 10 different cars,” Swiernik said on his Can-Am experiences, “A third place finish on Speedweek, I’m happy. Now just keep the tires on the ground and hope we are on top at the end.”

Cook hung on for fourth with Kelly Hebing home for a fine fifth. The next five was made up of Sammy Reakes IV, Chuck Hebing making for a family affair in the top ten, Danny Varin and dash winner Josh Pieniazek.

Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints A-Main – Can-Am Speedway CNY Speedweek – June 30^th, 2021 – 1. Paulie Colagiovanni ($2,610), Jason Barney ($1,795), Dylan Swiernik ($800), Jeff Cook ($680), Kelly Hebing ($530), Sammy Reakes IV ($495), Chuck Hebing ($430), Danny Varin ($495), Josh Pieniazek ($510), Matt Tanner ($450), Shawn Donath ($360), Jake Karklin ($345), Chad Miller ($300), Denny Peebles ($300), Dalton Herrick ($350), Nick Fratto ($325), Tyler Cartier ($300), Lacey Hanson ($300), Scott Holcomb ($325), Davie Franek ($300).

Bonuses:

PJC Spray Foam Hard Charger – Jason Barney ($50 – 8 Pos.)

Rifenburg Contracting Halfway – Paulie Colagiovanni ($50).

Pinnacle Pole Award – Jeff Cook ($50).

E&V Energy Heats – Tanner, Barney, Colagiovanni ($25)

ESS Media Team Fast Time – Tanner, Reakes IV, Colagiovanni. ($25).

Noftsier Tax Services/Cobra Coaches Dash – Pieniazek ($100), Varin ($75), Herrick ($50), Karklin ($25), Fratto ($25), Holcomb ($25).

Ashley Lynn Winery Podium – Colagiovanni, Barney, Swiernik – $10

Hoosier Tire – Barney ($210)

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

June 21 2021

Tommy Wickham Uses Last Lap Pass to Win Lucas Oil ESS Evans Mills Thriller

ESS SprintsResults-2021

History > Tour Archive > 2021 > 2021 Results Page > Evans Mills Raceway Park 6/19/2021

Tommy Wickham Uses Last Lap Pass to Win Lucas Oil ESS Evans Mills Thriller

Published June 21, 2021

EVANS MILLS, NY – Tommy Wickham did what many say was the impossible. On lap 24 of the 25 lap Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS), Kevin Ward Jr. Memorial Asphalt Spectacular A-Main, he took his winged sprint car to the outside of race long leader Jeff Cook in turns three and four and on to victory in front of a vocal standing room only crowd.

With smoke pouring off his right rear tire, the move on an asphalt surface that most veterans would say never works, did. The Constantia, NY driver took home $4,350 for his efforts and his wing dance was greeted with a loud roar on a beautiful night in Upstate, New York.

“I kind of knew after my heat that it could work,” Wickham said on his winning move, “I was going to do it no matter what. I was either going to win or probably be somewhere else!”

Jeff Cook led all laps from his pole starting position up until a lap 11 red flag. On the ensuing double file restart, Wickham who started on the outside took the lead going into the first turn. However, the yellow lights came on for two cars that got together which then made for a single file restart.

“I got a good run on that restart so I knew I could go to the outside like I did in my heat. I didn’t know if they thought I jumped or not, but the yellow came out (afterwards Wickham knew his start was good),” he went on, “But the single file start really didn’t bother me cause I knew I was going to wait to the end and then make the move. It worked!”

Wickham then went on to talk about importance of the win, “This means a lot, to win the race for Kevin and having his family here. I’m not sure where it sits in my career as we all buy sprint cars to race on dirt, but it definitely will be one to remember,” then Wickham summed it in one quick quote, “It’s definitely the most money I’ve won!”

For Cook who is the hometown favorite he summed up the result in one quick sentence in victory lane, “I hope you fans enjoyed that race because I didn’t!” Jeff of course on one side was joking but then the other side of that quote he was serious. But, the ESS veteran was a matter of fact and gave Wickham all the credit.

“You really can’t be that upset, I mean, that move, no way would I thought he could do that. Not after 24 laps on our tires,” he continued, “I really don’t know what I can do different. I had a good car, running a good pace. Even after he passed me on that restart, before the yellow came out I just said to myself that I will wait in second and wait for his tire to give out.

“We were close and one day we will get this race, but you have to hand it to Tommy. He made a move that you would think would never work and it did,” Cook went on, “We wanted to win, but it’s about the entire night, thanks to all the fans that are here for a really important race and that’s what it’s all about.”

Kelly Hebing came with guns loaded and looked to have the car to beat during the night, even after redrawing fourth she was still looking at the $4,000 top prize. “The redraw didn’t bother me too much because my car was so good. I knew I could go to the outside and pass, but the front wing damage in that accident hurt me, I couldn’t really charge after that,” the lady known as Lil Cobra went on, “I’m close, one of these years I’ll stand on my wing in victory lane!”

Rounding out the top five were asphalt sprint car rookie Danny Varin and Matt Tanner. The next five was made up of 2015 race winner Parker Evans, Nick Fratto, Dylan Swiernik, New Jersey’s Zack Burd and Denny Peebles.

Heat wins were taken by Hebing and Swiernik.

Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints A-Main – Evans Mills Raceway Park – June 19th, 2021 – 1. Tommy Wickham ($4,350), Jeff Cook ($2,613), Kelly Hebing ($1,500), Danny Varin ($1200), Matt Tanner ($850), Parker Evans ($900), Nick Fratto ($700), Dylan Swiernik ($1050), Zack Burd ($600), Denny Peebles ($550), Chase Moran ($525), Scott Holcomb ($500), Tyler Cartier ($650), Lacey Hanson ($500), Mike Stelter ($500), Chad Miller ($500).

Lap Money:

Jeff Cook ($613), Kelly Hebing ($500), Dylan Swiernik ($400), Tommy Wickham ($350), Danny Varin ($300), Tyler Cartier ($150), Parker Evans ($150), Matt Tanner ($50).

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

May 30 2021

Jason Barney goes Back to Back in Lucas Oil ESS Wins by Taking Checkers at Fulton

ESS SprintsResults-2021

History > Tour Archive > 2021 > 2021 Results Page > Fulton Speedway 5/29/2021

Jason Barney goes Back to Back in Lucas Oil ESS Wins by Taking Checkers at Fulton

Published May 30, 2021

FULTON, NY – Still disappointed with his effort on the Lucas Oil ESS 2021 Tour opener at Genesee, Brewerton, NY’s Jason Barney made sure it’s becoming a distant memory with his second NAPA Auto Parts A-Main win in a row by winning at the Fulton Speedway Saturday night. This time he did lead all laps in route to his $2,110 payday.

Just like last week’s 25 lap event at Thunder Mountain, even though Barney was out front it was still and “go all-out” affair as the final 24 laps were run under green. Barney had to endure heavy lapped traffic and competitors know in that in traffic being behind the leader is the advantage.

“It was a lot like last week. Starting position meant so much but when you get all those green flag laps you have to do such a balance,” Jason went on with how he needed to race, “You try to go as hard as you could cause you have no idea where anyone is behind you. But you also don’t want to go too hard and get into the slower cars. It can be tricky.”

On the original start, several cars got together coming of turn four that ended the night for Matt Tanner, Parker Evans and Keith Granholm. On the next restart, only one lap got in the books when Chuck Hebing slowed ending his race as well. After that, the next green flag was the last.

“it was a little tough getting going there at the beginning, but I had such a good car, it was nice to get in your rhythm soon after that,” Barney went on about his team. “We have such a good team and such a good program; the driver just has to do his job. Tonight, it felt good to win again, felt good to do it here and in front of all these fans.”

With the 87 Speed backed X-1 that Barney assembles himself opened up a slight lead over Shawn Donath in his Pather FrameWorx mount that he also assembled in the first half of the evet. Donath tried to keep Barney in sight, but the same lapped traffic hindered him as well.

In the closing stages, 2019 ESS champ Paulie Colagiovanni gained some speed to swing by Donath and pick up the chase of Barney. While it was looking like an easy victory, Colagiovanni’s #10 was making up ground at a rapid rate. With two to go he was a full strait behind Barney. Coming for the checkered he was just a few car lengths.

“We had a real good car. After starting in ninth we had to pass some real good cars and once we got into second I tried to catch him,” said the 20 year old Champion, “We ran out of laps but it was a good run for us. We got a good finish and we hope maybe to get some wins here soon.”

For Donath, it was more relief than anything else. Pretty much wiping out his frame at Genesee and the very subpar performance at Thunder Mtn. with an ill-handling car. A podium finish is what the doctor ordered.

“We needed this!” Donath exclaimed, “It has been such a bad start to our year, but the car was handling. The team really rallied together and I felt good out there. It was totally different that last week where I just couldn’t drive it at all. Tonight it was fast when we unloaded it.”

Local favorite Larry Wight backed up his fast time in his timed group and heat win with a fourth-place finish, Jonathan Preston came from 18^th to place fifth and collect the hard charger bonus. Rounding out the top ten were Danny Varin, Sammy Reakes IV, Dylan Swiernik for his third top ten in as many races, Kelly Hebing and Joe Trenca.

Next weekened’s planned trip to Canada has been cancelled due to the border still being closed. The weekend back up in August is still being planned. The June 11^th event scheduled for Mohawk is being postponed to a weekend in August as well. Next up will be the annual Kevin Ward Jr. Memorial Asphalt Spectacular held at the Evans Mills Motorsports Park on June 19^th.

Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints A-Main – Fulton Speedway – May 29^th, 2021 – 1. Jason Barney ($2,110), Paulie Colagiovanni ($1,010), Shawn Donath ($860), Larry Wight ($680), Jonathan Preston ($605), Danny Varin ($470), Sammy Reakes IV ($430), Dylan Swiernik ($495), Kelly Hebing ($620), Joe Trenca ($400), Jeff Cook ($360), Tommy Wickham ($345), Davie Franek ($350), Jake Karklin ($350), Denny Peebles ($300), Chad Miller ($350), Joe Kata ($300), Nick Fratto ($325), Lacey Hanson ($100), Tyler Cartier ($300), Scott Holcomb ($300), Chuck Hebing ($350), Matt Tanner ($300), Parker Evans ($300), Keith Granholm ($300)

DNS – Billy VanInwegen

DNQ – Dallas Schott, Zack Burd

Bonuses:

PJC Spray Foam Hard Charger – Preston ($50 – 13 Pos.)

Rifenburg Contracting Halfway – Jason Barney ($50).

Pinnacle Pole Award – Jason Barney ($50).

Lacaillade Masonry B-Main – Jake Karklin ($50).

E&V Energy Heats – Wight, Franek, Donath ($25)

ESS Media Team Fast Time – Franek, Donath, Wight. ($25).

Larkin Mowing/Cobra Coaches Dash – C. Hebing ($100), Swiernik ($75), Miller ($50), Wickham ($25), Fratto ($25), Preston ($25).

Ashley Lynn Winery Podium – Barney, Colagiovanni, Donath – $10

Hoosier Tire – K. Hebing ($210)

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

May 23 2021

Jason Barney Rebounds for Another Lucas Oil ESS win at Thunder Mountain

ESS SprintsResults-2021

History > Tour Archive > 2021 > 2021 Results Page > Thunder Mountain Speedway 5/22/2021

Jason Barney Rebounds for Another Lucas Oil ESS win at Thunder Mountain

Published May 23, 2021

CENTER LISLE, NY – The 2017 Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints Champion, Jason Barney, had an opening night he would like to forget two weeks ago at the Genesee Speedway. Getting into a couple of skirmishes resulting in a 14^th place finish, the Brewerton, NY native led 22 of 25 laps at the Thunder Mountain Speedway to collect his third win on the fast 3/8ths mile oval. A win that netted him, $2,110

While Barney will admit that drawing the pole was key to his win, he does have a knack to be fast at Thunder Mountain. “Starting up front helps a lot, but I’ve also won here starting much deeper. We just seem to always have a good car here,” Barney went on, “This helps make up for our performance at Genesee, it actually frustrates me a little more knowing at Genesee I just wasn’t what I should have been.”

While the familiar #87 did led all but three laps, the final 23 laps went caution free and in typical Thunder Mountain, there were several grooves to use. Barney gave a unique perspective, “When it gets like that here you actually have no idea where you are on the track. I thought I lost the lead to Jake Karklin as he went by me,” he continued, “There are cars high, low, everywhere and you just race as hard as you can, wait for the checkered and listen to the one-way after to hear where you finished. I’m not kidding, especially tonight when we went green for so long.”

For Barney he was glad that his name was called first to visit victory lane. But there was another twist that added to the plot and that was sprinkles from the sky just as the sprinters were pushed off to start the NAPA Auto Parts 25 lap A-Main. “I had moisture get in-between my tear offs and it was hard to see. I didn’t know whether to rip them all off or keep them on cause I was probably going to need them in lapped traffic,” Barney was telling on the dilemma, “So I actually was keeping my shield open then closed! Probably wasn’t the best of ideas, but it’s what I did. I really just wanted to go in the pits change them and let’s start the race after. But I’m glad there are people out there a little smarter than me, the track was ready, and they gave us a great racetrack.”

The A-Main did have a red flag on lap two for an incident involving Scott Holcomb and Clint Roehrs with Holcomb’s mount going over. That actually was the only yellow/red displayed all night. On the restart, Billy VanInwegen took to the high side and was pressuring Barney, even trading some sliders to actually led laps six through eight officially. But as the front runners did get into lapped traffic, Barney opened up some distance.

Late in the event, Genesee winner in Davie Franek slipped by VanInwegen on lap 16 and took up the chase on Barney.

“Yea, I was hoping for maybe a yellow or a few more laps. We had a good car and was gaining on Jason,” Franek noted, “I wasn’t the best after the heats but the guys just kept working at it. It’s such a good team and I have so many good people helping me. We have a lot of racing coming up so we will see if we can keep the momentum going.”

VanInwegen hung on for third and it was indeed a “hang on” experience, “My motor starting skipping like crazy in the final laps and I did all I could do to hang on,” said Billy, “I actually was surprised that I still got third. It’s a little frustrating having the issues we did at Genesee and now here with a different car. We will find it, we have a real good team.”

Rounding out the top five were Sammy Reakes IV who won the dash for cash earlier and earned hard charger bonus money after starting in 13^th. Jeff Cook had another solid Thunder Mountain outing taking fifth. The next five was made up off Dylan Swiernik, for his second consecutive sixth place finish, Matt Tanner, Dalton Herrick, Thomas Radivoy and Chuck Hebing.

Next weekend the Lucas Oil Tour will head to familiar stops on Memorial Day Weekend with Brewerton Speedway on Friday and Fulton Speedway on Saturday. Coming into next weekend, Davie Franek leads the points over Swiernik, Barney, Cook and Peebles.

Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints A-Main – Thunder Mountain Speedway – May 22^nd, 2021 – 1. Jason Barney ($2,110), Davie Franek ($1,060), Billy VanInwegen ($810), Sammy Reakes IV ($980), Jeff Cook ($555), Dylan Swiernik ($470), Matt Tanner ($455), Dalton Herrick ($420), Thomas Radivoy ($410), Chuck Hebing ($425), Chad Miller ($410), Denny Peebles ($320), Joe Trenca ($300), Paulie Colagiovanni ($300), Danny Varin ($375), Jake Katklin ($325), Tyler Cartier ($300), Shawn Donath ($300), Keith Granholm ($300), Nick Fratto ($100), Jeremiah Munson ($300), Kelly Hebing ($325), Josh Pieniazek ($300), Clint Roehrs ($300), Scott Holcomb ($375)

DNQ – Lacey Hanson.

Bonuses:

PJC Spray Foam Hard Charger – Sammy Reakes IV ($50 – 9 Pos.)

Rifenburg Contracting Halfway – Jason Barney ($50).

Pinnacle Pole Award – Jason Barney ($50).

Lacaillade Masonry B-Main – Scott Holcomb ($50).

E&V Energy Heats – Franek, C. Hebing, Cook ($25)

ESS Media Team Fast Time – Franek, Barney, Tanner. ($25).

Cobra Coaches Dash – Reakes IV ($100), Varin ($75), Miller ($50), Holcomb ($25), K. Hebing ($25), Karklin ($25).

Ashley Lynn Winery Podium – Barney, Franek, VanInwegen – $10

Hoosier Tire – Reakes IV ($210)

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

May 11 2021

Experience Pays Off: Davie Franek wins Lucas Oil ESS Opener at Genesee

ESS SprintsResults-2021

History > Tour Archive > 2021 > 2021 Results Page > Genesee Speedway 5/8/2021

Experience Pays Off: Davie Franek wins Lucas Oil ESS Opener at Genesee

Published May 11, 2021

BATAVIA, NY – Very few drivers in attendance Saturday night at the Genesee County Fairgrounds have seen the 1/3^rd mile oval. After all it’s been since 2007 that the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) last visited the Genesee Speedway. But it was experience that helped Wantage, NJ’s Davie Franek take the opening event on the 2021 Tour and take home over $2,000.

It wasn’t experience on the oval, Franek never seen to Batavia, NY where the dirt track lies. It was that Franek has been on the road virtually every weekend since the end of January. While some teams in the pits haven’t raced a lap in over a year and a half due to COVID shut down, Franek took to the road to find races.

Passing Matt Farnham with just five laps to go in lapped traffic, the familiar #28F never looked back for his seventh career ESS win. “I think racing early in the season helps you, you’re already in a groove and feel comfortable,” he went on, “Especially on restarts, when you don’t know anyone’s tendencies out there you kind of treat them all like Donny Schatz and buckle down to focus. Restarts were key for me, I kept on getting a car or two on each one.”

Franek started in the 10^th position after the redraw but methodically moved his way to the front. When he got to second behind Farnham, he actually knew he had the advantage. “It’s always best to be in second, especially when it comes to slower traffic. You just go where they aren’t,” Franek said, “He (Farnham) was getting loose in the corners and with the slower car in front of him it just opened up the door for me to go around.”

For Franek, he’s had a good start with many organizations and has some decisions to do. “I will be at the next race at Thunder Mountain and we will go from there,” Although Franek did point out one fact, “ESS is the only organization we haven’t won the championship with yet, but we will see what the schedule plays out this year.”

For Farnham, the sometimes sprint car driver, sometimes big block modified driver, it was his first ever ESS appearance and he was hoping to bring home the checkered. “We had a real good car all night, I was able to put it pretty much anywhere on the track and get by cars,” said the Towanda, NY pilot, “When Chuck (Hebing) went off the track we got the lead, and I was just trying to go as hard as I could out front. But the car just started to lose a little bit at the end and when I got behind the slower car, he (Franek) got me,”

He went on with a smile, “Hey it was a good finish for our first ESS race and we got to do it real close to home.”

Hebing drew the pole for the 25-lap finale and he led the first 10 laps of the feature until his car just slipped off the top of turn two giving the lead to Farnham. Unfortunately, just one lap later was a large eight car mishap in turn one happened on a restart that ended Hebing’s bid to come from the back.

Farnham then controlled the race from there. As the final 14 laps went non-stop, Franek used the laps to gain momentum and the eventual pass for the win.

Defending ESS champion Paulie Colagiovanni took advantage of Danny Varin slipping off turn two on the last lap to bring home his #10 on the last podium spot. “We just didn’t come out of the box strong tonight but the crew just kept digging all night long,” said the recently turned 20 year old, “We learned from the dash and then just tried to move up as much as we could on the feature. Third isn’t bad from where we started out.”

Varin did come home in fourth with Denny Peebles recovering from a heat race turn over to win the B-Main and collect $150 in hard charger bonuses to take fifth. Rounding out the top ten were, Dylan Swiernik, Joe Trenca, Kelly Hebing, Chad Miller and Jeff Cook.

Genesee Notes: A strong field of 27 sprints kicked off the 2021 season for the Lucas Oil Tour….It’s was shaking off the rust for many with no less than six sprints finding their way on their wings during the night…Franek set a new track record in his timed hot lap session, the time of 14.763 now sets the stage….After a weekend off the Empire Super Sprints head to Thunder Mountain followed by Brewerton and Fulton on Memorial Weekend.

Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints A-Main – Genesee Speedway – May 8^th, 2021 – 1. Davie Franek ($2,035), 2. Matt Farnham ($1,085), 3. Paulie Colagiovanni ($885), 4. Danny Varin ($630), 5. Denny Peebles ($730), 6. Dylan Swiernik ($495), 7. Joe Trenca ($430), 8. Kelly Hebing ($420), 9. Chad Miller ($645), 10. Jeff Cook ($400), 11. Dan Craun ($385), 12. Keith Granholm ($320), 13. Tyler Cartier ($325), 14. Jason Barney ($300), 15. Matt Tanner ($400), 16. Chuck Hebing ($375), 17. Scott Kreutter ($325), 18. Shawn Donath ($300), 19. Jake Karklin ($325), 20. Darryl Ruggles ($300), 21. Dan Bennett ($350), 22. Nick Fratto ($300), 23. Sammy Reakes IV ($300), 24. Scott Just ($300).

DNS – Billy VanInwegen.

DNQ – Parker Evans, Jeremy Barnard.

Bonuses:

Indy Cart Raceway Hard Charger – Danny Peebles ($100 -14 Pos.)

PJC Spray Foam Hard Charger – Denny Peebles ($50 – 14 Pos.)

Rifenburg Contracting Halfway – Matt Franham ($50).

Pinnacle Pole Award – Chuck Hebing ($50).

Lacaillade Masonry B-Main – Denny Peebles ($50).

E&V Energy Heats – Swiernik, C. Hebing, Farnham ($25)

ESS Media Team Fast Time – Kreutter, Franek (NTR), Karklin. ($25).

Stan’s Harley Davidseon/Cobra Coaches Dash – Tanner ($100), Colagiovanni ($75), Bennett ($50), Miller ($25), Craun ($25), Cartier ($25).

Ashley Lynn Winery Podium – Franek, Farnham, Colagiovanni – $10

Hoosier Tire – Miller ($210)

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