Backstretch Motorsports

(January 31, 2008 – Hartford, OH)  Dale Blaney announced at the 2007 All Star Circuit of Champions racing banquet that he and car owner, George Fisher, will be running the entire All Star schedule this year, in pursuit of a third title for Blaney and Fisher’s first.  With nearly 50 dates on the tentative schedule, the team will have their work cut out for them.

Over the winter months, Fisher, of Lockbourne, OH, decided to retire from his “day job” and turn his focus toward a championship.  Blaney, who clinched back-to-back titles with the nation’s second most prestigious sprint car series in 1995 and 1996, is super-charged about going after his third All Star crown.  “I haven’t really been on the road full-time with the All Stars since 1997,” said Blaney.  “We raced with the Outlaws until 2001 and finished up the season with them, and then I started working for my brother at the track (Sharon Speedway) and just raced as much as we could over the next five years.  I’m looking forward to doing the whole deal again.  It’ll be good to see what we can come up with since George and I can both concentrate on racing this time.  Last year we just raced whenever we could (with the All Stars) and did some Outlaw shows and local stuff once in a while.”

Fisher is also looking forward to hitting the All Star trail.  “I am very excited about the coming season and racing with the All Stars.  I feel that we can compete for a championship mainly based on our past performances.  We have a very tight team that races well and has a ton of fun together.”  Although he has never won a season championship as a car owner, the duo did win the 2006 Ohio Sprint Speedweek title and came very close to capturing the 2007 Speedweek title, finishing second by just a few points.  When asked what he is most looking forward to this year, Fisher replied, “I’m really looking forward to racing without having a 9 to 5 job to worry about!!”  Fisher and Blaney have been racing together since 2002.

The All Star Circuit of Champions season kicks off in Florida as it has for many years.  North Florida Speedway hosts the “Icebreaker” on February 1st and 2nd.  From there, the series heads to Volusia Speedway Park on February 5th, 6th and 7th.  Says Blaney, “I’m looking forward to racing with these guys every night again.  It’ll be good.”

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As the snow continues to fall in the North where Ohio and Pennsylvania sprint car fans long for the smell of methanol and the taste of dirt in their beer, North Florida Speedway in Lake City, FL is preparing for an all out assault by the winged 410 warriors of the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions.  The series will be heading to the sunshine state for the “All Star Icebreaker 2008: The Sunshine Showdown” to kick off the 2008 racing season on Friday, February 1st and Saturday, February 2nd. 

North Florida Speedway is a fast 4/10 mile high banked clay oval located near Lake City, Florida – a facility that has never hosted the high powered 410 sprint cars in the past.  Usually their local 360 sprints are kicking up the dust, but the ground pounding, fire breathing 410’s are ready to see what this facility holds in store for them.  The track first opened in 1955 and operated until 1978. It then reopened in 1987. The track formerly known as South Ridge Speedway and Lake City Speedway and was renamed North Florida Speedway between the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

Greg Wilson will return to defend is back to back All Star championship runs in 2006 and 2007 while Dale Blaney, Paul McMahan, Brian Paulus, Lance Dewease, Brandon Martin, Paul May, Brock Mayes, Brian Ellenberger, Craig Mintz, and a host of others will try to knock the crown off of Wilson’s helmet.  A new crop of rookies will also make the trip to Florida to try their hand at the All Star brand of racing.  Geoff Dodge, Ryan Myers, Neil Shepherd, Chris Andrews, Lee Stark, and Dustin Morgan are a few of the new names that will dot the All Star roster in 2008.

Not to be left out when there is great racing on the horizon, several PA Posse contenders will be there to try to steal the All Star loot.  Reportedly Fred Rahmer, Greg Hodnett, Mark Smith, Chad Layton, and Jeff Shepard will represent Central Pennsylvania’s tough talent.  World of Outlaws drivers such as Chad Kemenah and Randy Hannagan will also try to pocket the prize money prior to kicking off their season the following week at Volusia Speedway.  The field of cars will not be short on talent.  Be sure to get there early for this one as a capacity crowd is expected on both Friday and Saturday.

Drivers should note that mufflers are not required at either North Florida Speedway or at Volusia Speedway. Also, for the Florida races only, the new Hoosier SC compound will not be allowed. The Hoosier SC12, 15, and/or 25 will be required for these races based on the 2007 rules. If you have any questions, please contact Butch Sherwin with the All Stars. For the current All Star rules, go to www.allstarsprint.com and visit the Rules & Procedures section.

The O’Reilly All Stars will open the 2008 season at North Florida Speedway in Lake City, FL on February 1st and 2nd, and then continue their trek through Florida by moving over to Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL on February 5th, 6th, and 7th. Visit www.northfloridaspeedway or www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com for more information.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – As the Empire Super Sprints (ESS) get ready to embark and celebrate their 25th Anniversary Tour, on January 26th came the most noteworthy sponsorship announcement in the 25 years for one of the most successful 360 sprint car sanctioning bodies in the nation.  Lucas Oil has signed on to be the official tour sponsor for ESS in 2008 and with the announcement comes the official title of the 25th Anniversary Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints.

  In a special press conference held at the Best Western Cairn Croft Hotel in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Lucas Oil Canada’s Steve Snowden made the special announcement of the tour sponsorship for ESS.  The gathering was held by the officials of DirtTrackDigest.com with the announcement made shortly after Lucas Oil’s announcing of title sponsorship of the Shootouts for DIRTCar 358 modifieds and sportsman for the third strait year.

  “We were very excited to have Steve and Lucas Oil involved last season as title sponsor for our Canadian Invasion Tour.  We both thought the year went very well and a proposal was set up for Lucas to possibly sponsor the entire tour.” noted ESS President Chuck Miller.  “We sat down with Steve and his wife, talked briefly and handed him what we hope was an enticing program.  It was just a short three weeks later when we got the call that Steve and Lucas wanted to sponsor our 25th Anniversary Season.  This is our biggest sponsorship announcement ever, to have such a prestigious company like Lucas aboard puts ESS to another level and we are proud that our teams will benefit for this major contribution.”

  “To be sponsoring the ESS series is a big announcement for us at Lucas Oil as well.  Dirt track sprint car racing is so popular in both Canada and the Untied States.  ESS hits so many markets on each side of the border and it’s a great way to get our name and products out to the customer.” stated Snowden during the Saturday afternoon gathering.  “We were very pleased with the exposure ESS gave us last season and we are now excited to make the next step forward.”

  Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry featuring a premium line of oils, greases and problem-solving additives .Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top selling additive in the industry.  The very successful company was formed by Forrest Lucas in 1999 and for more information you can log on to www.lucasoil.ca

  The Lucas Oil logo will be up front at every ESS event with logos on all cars, ESS officials fitted in Lucas Oil colors, special giveaways will be provided to the fans at each event and also there will be Lucas Oil displays set up at many of the races on the 2008 tour.  Not only will the ESS tour following teams be rewarded with a major point fund at seasons end, there will be several Lucas Oil product giveaways during the season to each A-Main winner.

  The 25th Anniversary Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints tour has already 29 dates filled for the 2008 season with talks going on to several other area speedways.  The celebration is set to begin Saturday night, April 12th at the Black Rock Speedway where the Yates County Oval is celebrating their 50th Anniversary season.  It’s been since August of 2003 that ESS has run a full point show at the fast 4/10ths mile oval and it will be history restored as ESS annually kicked off their tour at Black Rock for several seasons.  The tour will come to an end on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 18th at the Brockville Ontario Speedway with the first ever Can-Am Challenge with ESS taking on the stars of the Southern Ontario Sprints.

  All of the full-time teams from 2007 are back to take on the 2008 racing season.  Heading the list is defending champion Steve Poirier and his sharp FM Industries #28FM will be out in force looking to defend his championship.  Many top ESS stars will be out in force hoping to knock the champ from his title and they include: Three-time runner-up in points and defending Lucas Oil Canadian Invasion champion Jeff VanDusen, two-time ESS champ Lance Yonge, Jeff Cook, 2006 champion Alain Bergeron, 2006 rookie of the year Michael Parent, veterans Bubby Kerrick and Mike Stelter along with young guns Tommy Wickham, Cory Sparks and 50 year old, 2007 rookie of the year Normand Beaudreault.  Come 2008 will be the return of Dan Kaszubinski and Doug Emery along with tour hopefuls in Brian McDonald, Anthony Cain, Justin Harris, Lee Ladouceur and Chris Jones.  Fans can also expect to see Justin Barger and Russ Bennett at many of the ESS events along with rookie hopefuls; asphalt stars Andy Noto and Bobby Magner as well as Quebec’s Jake Langlois.  Also, with ESS’ new open draw format for 2008, fans and race tracks alike can expect to see a few surprises in the pits.

  Since 1983, 25 years of winged sprint car excitement has become tradition.  Come and join us in the anniversary celebration, it’s the 25th Anniversary Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints and it will once again be excitement guaranteed!  For the latest up to date information, please log on to www.empresupersprints.com .

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 USAC’s Western racing schedules, released today, reflect more than 120 events involving USAC/CRA Western and Rocky Mountain Sprint Cars, Western Midgets, plus California and Utah Ford Focus Midgets.

 Opening February 9 with the USAC/CRA Sprint car series opener at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway and closing with a November 29 USAC/CRA outing at Perris, the calendar includes 19 different race tracks in Arizona, California, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada and Utah.

 Several Western Midget races also award National Midget points again, while five of the USAC/CRA Sprint races also carry National sanction. In the Rocky Mountain Sprints, four of the nine races also award Western Sprint points.

 The racing schedules as they now stand are as follows:

WESTERN SPRINT CAR SERIES

4/12 Roseville, CA4/19 Tracy, CA4/26 Salt Lake City, UT5/17 Tracy, CA5/31 Roseville, CA6/14 Tracy, CA6/28 Tracy, CA7/19 Tracy, CA7/26 Salt Lake City, UT8/2 Twin Falls, ID8/9 Tracy, CA8/30 Salt Lake City, UT9/13 Tracy, CA9/27 Tracy, CA11/1 Las Vegas, NV11/22 Bakersfield, CA11/27 Irwindale, CA

WESTERN MIDGET CAR SERIES

2/15-16 Phoenix, AZ3/15 Hanford, CA3/22 Bakersfield, CA4/5 Ventura, CA4/19 Tracy, CA5/17 Ventura, CA6/14 Ventura, CA6/21 Bakersfield, CA6/28 Tracy, CA7/12 Santa Maria, CA7/19 Tracy, CA7/29 McCool Junction, NE7/30 McCool Junction, NE8/1 Belleville, KS8/2 Belleville, KS8/9 Tracy, CA9/6 Bakersfield, CA9/20 Ventura, CA9/27 Tracy, CA11/1 Las Vegas, NV11/6 Phoenix, AZ11/22 Bakersfield, CA11/27 Irwindale, CA

USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES

2/8 Perris, CA2/9 Perris, CA2/15 Phoenix, AZ2/16 Phoenix, AZ2/28 Las Vegas, NV2/29 Las Vegas, NV3/8 Perris, CA3/15 Phoenix, AZ3/29 Perris, CA4/12 Perris, CA4/26 Perris, CA5/10 Perris, CA5/24 Perris, CA5/25 Tulare, CA5/31 Ventura, CA6/7 Perris, CA6/14 Santa Maria, CA6/21 Perris, CA7/4 Perris, CA7/19 Perris, CA8/9 Perris, CA8/16 Santa Maria, CA8/23 Perris, CA8/30 Calistoga CA (T)8/31 Calistoga CA (T)9/6 Ventura, CA9/13 Perris, CA9/20 Phoenix, AZ9/27 Perris, CA10/4 Perris, CA10/18 Perris, CA10/25 Ventura, CA10/30 Perris, CA10/31 Perris, CA11/1 Perris, CA11/7 Phoenix, AZ11/8 Phoenix, AZ11/15 Perris, CA11/29 Perris, CA

CALIFORNIA DIRT FORD FOCUS SERIES

3/15 Ventura, CA4/5 Ventura, CA5/17 Ventura, CA6/14 Ventura, CA6/21 Bakersfield, CA7/12 Ventura, CA7/31 Ventura, CA9/6 Bakersfield, CA10/4 Ventura, CA

CALIFORNIA PAVED FORD FOCUS SERIES

3/22 Lake Havasu City, AZ3/29 Irwindale, CA4/12 Blythe, CA4/19 Tracy, CA4/26 Salt Lake City, UT5/3 Las Vegas, NV5/10 Irwindale, CA6/28 Tracy, CA7/3 Las Vegas, NV7/5 Salt Lake City, UT7/19 Tracy, CA7/26 Salt Lake City, UT8/2 Irwindale, CA8/9 Tracy, CA8/30 Salt Lake City, UT9/13 Tracy, CA9/20 Lake Havasu City, AZ9/27 Irwindale, CA10/18 Blythe, CA11/22 Bakersfield, CA11/27 Irwindale, CA

AUTO TRADER UTAH FORD FOCUS SERIES

4/26 Salt Lake City, UT5/3 Las Vegas, NV5/17 Salt Lake City, UT5/26 Salt Lake City, UT6/7 Salt Lake City, UT6/21 Salt Lake City, UT7/3 Las Vegas, NV7/5 Salt Lake City, UT7/26 Salt Lake City, UT8/10 Salt Lake City, UT8/30 Salt Lake City, UT9/13 Salt Lake City, UT

YOUNG AUTOMOTIVEROCKY MOUNTAIN SPRINT CAR SERIES

4/26 Salt Lake City, UT5/10 Salt Lake City, UT5/26 Salt Lake City, UT6/7 Salt Lake City, UT6/21 Salt Lake City, UT7/26 Salt Lake City, UT8/2 Twin Falls, ID8/30 Salt Lake City, UT9/6 Salt Lake City, UT

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Monday, 14 January 2008              USAC National Sprint Car Coordinator Greg Staab will assume the additional duties of USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series Coordinator in 2008 as part of a reassignment of duties announced today by USAC Senior VP/Race Operations Jason Smith.             "Working with USAC Western VP Tommy Hunt, Greg will be responsible for a myriad of duties within the series, including scheduling, race organizer relations and assembly of race official teams, etc.," said Smith. "Greg looks forward to this new responsibility and we are excited about his increased involvement at USAC."

            Chris Morgan, who previously coordinated USAC/CRA affairs for USAC, will continue with the organization in a new capacity, yet to be fully outlined.

            "Sprint car racing is my first love," admits Staab, who drove Sprint cars during his long USAC racing career and won a nationally-televised race at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis. "I like the great tradition of Sprint racing in the southwest and am ready for the challenge of maintaining the integrity of this great series and ensuring its future success."

            The USAC/CRA campaign begins Feb. 9 at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway and continues through 39 events to a conclusion Nov. 29 back at Perris.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – It was a short hiatus, but Bill Simpson’s company, Impact Racing, is back in the fold with the Empire Super Sprints (ESS) for the 2008 season in helping with the celebration of the 25th Anniversary season.  Hailing out of Brownsburg, IN., Impact will be providing many special awards during race events as well as the season ending awards banquet.

  Impact produces many forms of motorsports safety products and ESS teams will see awards given out towards racing and crew shoes, helmets and racing suits.  For the latest information on the 2008 line of products you can log on to www.impactraceproducts.com .

  Look for the Impact logo on the ESS winged sprinters when the 25th Anniversary season will kick off on Saturday night, April 12th at the Black Rock Speedway where the Yates County oval is celebrating their 50th Anniversary.

  Quebec’s Steve Poirier will be back to defend his title but the list of challengers is shaping up to be a who’s, who in the northeastern United States and Canada.  Jeff VanDusen, Lance Yonge, Jeff Cook, the return of Dan Kaszubinski and many, many more will be in the pits at each ESS event for the upcoming season.

  Impact Racing is the first of a long line of new associate sponsors that will be announced from now until the opener on the 12th of April.  They will join all the companies that have rejoined ESS for 2008 and that list includes every one that was aboard last year!  For more information on what is shaping up to be a record year, you can log on to www.empiresupersprints.com .  Where it has become excitement guaranteed!…for over 25 years! 

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – As the new year approaches and the Empire Super Sprints (ESS) gets ready to celebrate their 25th Anniversary Tour, the first of many special sponsorship announcement comes out of Granby, Quebec.  Atelier Mecanique Bouffard, Inc., also known as AMB Moteurs will be sponsoring the “Fast Time of the Night” award where the recipient will receive $50 cash during each full point show on the 2008 calendar.

  AMB and owner Michel Pepin is mostly known for powering Steve Poirier to the 2007 ESS championship and is now ready to see if he can put his engines under the hood of several other ESS competitors.  AMB joins Jereco Competition Engines, Don Ott Racing Engines and HG Associates as motor builders that present cash awards to ESS competitors.

  The driver that produces the fastest lap during the 25 lap A-Main will receive the award from Pepin and his AMB business.  In a touch of irony, ESS will be using AMB transponders next season which will enable officials to see who indeed had the fastest lap during the evening’s finale.

  AMB Moteurs is the first of many sponsorship announcements that will come from ESS as one of the nations top sanctioning bodies gets ready for its 25Th Anniversary celebration.  A new website for AMB will be launched in January of the new year but you can contact Pepin at (450) 378-8834 for more information.

  So far, 28 dates fill the schedule for 2008 with many more to come in what is shaping up to be a headline making season for stars and cars of ESS.  As we get ready to toast the conclusion of 2007, log on to www.empiresupersprints.com for the latest, up do date information on 2008 where it will be excitement guaranteed!

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64 NATIONAL SPRINT, MIDGET DATES SET FOR 2008

 A total of 64 USAC National events have been finalized for 2008, comprising the preliminary Lucas Oil Natioanl Sprint car and National Midget Series championships. Thirty-four tracks in 14 states are involved. The National Midget Series debuts Feb. 15-16 with the “Copper on Dirt” at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz., while the Lucas Oil Sprints kick off the 2008 season April 5 at Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. The Sprint cars conclude the 2008 campaign with the “Western World Championships” at Phoenix, while the Midget finale is again the “Turkey Night Grand Prix” at Irwindale, Calif.

 Tracks returning to the schedule in 2008 are Williams Grove (Pa.) Speedway and Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill. (Sprints), and Slinger (Wisc.) Speedway, Rockford (Ill.) Speedway, Union County Speedway in Liberty, Ind. and Joliet (Midgets). Tracks hosting their initial National events will be Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway and Shady Bowl Speedway in DeGraff, Ohio (Sprints); and Southern National Raceway Park in Kenly, N.C. and LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in New Salem, Wisc. (Midgets). Shady Bowl has previously hosted the Midgets and LaCrosse has previously hosted USAC Stock Cars.

 Traditional events highlight the calendar once again, including Indiana Sprint Week, the Tony Hulman Classic, Rich Vogler Classic, Joe James/Pat O’Connor Classic, Glen Niebel Classic, Border Wars, Four-Crown Nationals, Perris Oval Nationals and Western World Championships for the Sprints; and the Night Before the 500, Belleville Midget Nationals, Knoxville Midget Nationals, Copper on Dirt, Hut Hundred, Four-Crown Nationals, Turkey Night Grand Prix, Hall of Fame Classic, Sue Thiel Memorial and Indiana Midget Week for the Midgets.

 Expansion of the Eastern Sprint Car Swing now reflects four dates, while Indiana Midget Week has been expanded to six races. Indiana Sprint Week remains at eight events for 2008.

 Several dates are listed at “TBA” or To Be Announced, waiting for final details to be released. These schedules are subject to changes, additions and deletions. Please refer to the USAC website, www.usacracing.com, for updates to these schedules.

Kinser and Donny Schatz Form Potent Two-Car Lineup in 2008

CONCORD, N.C.  – Two-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Tony Stewart announced tonight that World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Series driver Kraig Kinser will join Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) beginning with the 2008 season.  Kinser will replace Paul McMahan in the No. 20 Bass Pro Shops/J.D. Byrider/Chevrolet entry.

“I’m excited about joining forces with such an established team,” said Kinser, an eight-time WoO race winner, which includes a victory at the prestigious Knoxville (Iowa) Nationals in 2005.  “Tony Stewart Racing has a proven track record with the World of Outlaws, and I’m looking forward to making a return to the series with a team of this caliber.” 

Kinser’s teammate will be reigning WoO Sprint Series driver Donny Schatz, who will join TSR beginning with the 2008 season in the No. 15 Armor All/ParkerStore/Chevrolet machine.

“I am extremely pleased to welcome Kraig Kinser to our race team,” said Stewart, TSR team owner.  “To be able to work with a driver of Kraig’s talent is a great opportunity for all of us.  His proven skill behind the wheel will continue to help TSR grow into a stronger organization.

“Just as Levi Jones, Tracy Hines and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., helped step up our USAC program, we expect Kraig Kinser and Donny Schatz to do the same with our World of Outlaws team.”

Bass Pro Shops, recently voted the No. 1 outdoor retailer in America by Sporting Goods Business Magazine and the primary sponsor of the No. 20 Chevrolet-powered entry that Kinser will pilot next season, welcomes Kinser to the TSR family.

“Bass Pro Shops is extremely proud of our relationship with Tony Stewart Racing,” said Jim Hagale, president of Bass Pro Shops.  “While we’ve been very happy with the performance of the No. 20 team, the addition of Kraig Kinser for 2008 takes our program to another level.  Kraig’s past performance and his family’s racing heritage will provide the opportunity for Bass Pro Shops and TSR to contend for the WoO Sprint Series championship.”

The familiar Bass Pro Shops paint scheme will continue to adorn the No. 20 for the 2008 season.  The Chevrolet-powered winged sprint car will be overseen by longtime TSR crew chief Jimmy Carr, who will head up both of TSR’s WoO Sprint Series programs.

Since its formation in November 2000, TSR has earned seven owner championships.  Danny Lasoski earned TSR’s first championship in its inaugural season competing in the WoO Sprint Series, taking the 2001 title.  J.J. Yeley, Stewart’s teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing, earned a USAC Sprint car championship for TSR in 2003.  And in a co-owner role with Bob East, TSR won four straight USAC Silver Crown championships from 2002 to 2005 with a handful of drivers that included Yeley, Kasey Kahne and Dave Steele.  In 2006, TSR earned the USAC Sprint car title with Josh Wise.  Additionally, TSR has three Knoxville Nationals championships in the WoO Sprint Series, as Lasoski captured wins in the famed winged sprint car event in 2001, 2003 and 2004.

For more information regarding TSR or Bass Pro Shops, visit www.tonystewartracing.com or www.basspro.com.

Kraig Kinser: Driver of the No. 20 Winged Sprint Car in the World of Outlaws Sprint SeriesDate of Birth:        10.8.84Hometown:            Bloomington, Ind. Residence:              Cornelius, N.C. Marital Status:      Married, DanielleChildren:               NoneCrew Chief:           Jimmy CarrHighlights:             Scored eight World of Outlaws series victories… Captured Knoxville Nationals title in 2005… Finished fifth in 2005 World of Outlaws Sprint Series championship standings… Earned 2004 World of Outlaws Sprint Series “Rookie of the Year” honors… Earned a career-high seven World of Outlaws Sprint Series victories in 2005… Joined the Ginn Racing driver development program in 2005… Made 18 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts in 2006… Scored a season best finish of ninth at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2006… Made 13 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts in 2007.

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 SYRACUSE, N.Y. – As the Empire Super Sprints (ESS) and the tour brought to you by Jacobs Motorsports takes a well deserved two weeks off from point competition, the stars and cars are now ready for the stretch drive.  With over $30,000 in point fun money waiting some of the best 360 sprint car drivers from two nations, the final events will be action packed.

  With two three-race full point weekends coming up, the most important part of the 2007 racing season is awaiting the winged chauffeurs of the organization celebrating its 25th consecutive season.

  Leading the brigade is Quebec’s Steve Poirier on the strength of one win, seven top fives and 10 top tens so far in the ’07 campaign. His only non top ten was a 13th at Cornwall and is the only three drivers to have gone from green to checker in every event this far.

   After coming off an incredible five win, first full season in a sprint car, Poirier entered this year as one of the favorites and he has not disappointed.  Although he might not be totally satisfied with his outcomes which saw a chassis switch the week of his only win at Woodhull, consistency is key to a championship winning drive.  Poirier also leads the Walt’s Hobby Dash Series points as well as the Lane’s Yamaha Hard Charger Points.

  Leading the list with three A-Main victories and second in points is second generation Jeff VanDusen.  This talented 23 year old also 10 top tens on the year and is in a point’s position that he is all too familiar.  VanDusen was the point runner up to Lance Yonge in 2005 and Alain Bergeron last season so you know the goal is to move up that magical one position. 

  If it wasn’t for a blown engine during the four wide pace lap at the first visit to Autodrome Granby, the overall points could be a bit different.  With several events to be held north of the border, VanDusen will also be out to hold his slim point lead in the Lucas Oil Canadian Invasion Series which sees Jeff Cook a mere two points behind.

  A two-time champion and glad to be back in the title hunt is Lance Yonge who also has tallied ten top tens and he too suffered the blown engine fate at Fonda which hindered the point drive just a bit.  After what he called a disastrous 2006 season where Yonge went through two race cars, upside down several times in route to a eighth place in the final points.  That eighth was the only time he has not finished in the top five in ESS points since he started back in 1992!  Although winless so far, the long time club faithful is showing a smile and happy to be back where he belongs, in the chase for the championship.

  Jeff Cook is known to be the leading candidate for the annual hard luck award with his sharp #10 sprinter upside down several times each season.  But, this is a new year and a new outcome thus far.  He has finished every A-Main to date, taken two checkered flags and sits solid in fourth in the overall point scheme.  The consistency also has him just knocking on the door for the Lucas Oil points as well for the driver who also supports ESS as an associate tour sponsor.  His next win will also tie him with Adrian Flath on the all-time ESS win list; he is Adrian’s son in law.

  Last year he was a rookie coming from ATC racing, this year he is a title contender and ready to bring home his first ever A-Main checkered flag.  Just 16 years old and another bright star from Quebec comes Michael Parent.  A protégé of defending champion Alain Bergeron not only brought home his first ever top five finish, but in the last event at Granby he took runner-up honors in front of his home crowd.  Showing poise at his young age, Parent is the third driver to see every A-Main from green to checker.  And, his family’s dedication to ESS comes with a nightly sponsoring of the Blue Collar Award.

  While sitting sixth in points is not where Alain Bergeron wants to be, a never say die attitude keeps the team with an outside shot at repeating his memorable championship from last year.  A switch in chassis has been done since Fonda in hopes to change some luck and finally bring home an A-Main victory, something that hasn’t been done since 2005.  Look for a big stretch drive from the driver that is a champion.

  If it wasn’t for two unusual break downs, Mike Stelter would be “right there” in the championship hunt.  While the goal is still within reach, it still has been a successful return to the full ESS tour by the Ontario, N.Y. pilot.  Joining up with the Bliss brothers for 2007 has been a big help and don’t be surprised if you see the man known as “Helter” Stelter in victory lane before the season is out.  If it happens, fans will be in for a treat in victory lane.

  Coming into 2007 with plans up in the air, Justin Barger, has made every ESS event but one where he was in a friends wedding.  Even with him missing that event, he still was in the title hunt on the strength of two victories.  But, a frightening crash in the last event at Granby saw him loaded up before the A-Main with a sore wrist and that hurt his point hunt considerably.  Even though the crash at Granby was a tough one, he still headed west to represent ESS in the Knoxville 360 Nationals and the Brodix Tournament of Champions.  He joined Lance Yonge as the only ESS drivers to make the Nationals and turned heads when he timed second fastest for the “ToC”.

  Tommy Wickham geared himself up for a full assault in the ESS trail for ’07 and so far has had a successful season.  Not seeing many of the tracks until this season the young driver nearly took home his first win at Edelweiss back in July.  Seven top tens in 11 point events has him solidly in ninth in points with a shot at the top five with a little luck.  A blown engine at Woodhull hurt a bit in the overall points but look for this outfit with ESS for years to come.

  On a beautiful sunny night near Niagara Falls, Bubby Kerrick, finally ended a winless streak that lasted nearly four years.  It was good to see this ESS faithful in victory lane buy it’s still been an up and down year for the Stanley, N.Y. driver.  Plagued with steering box troubles at many of the events has held him down in the points.  But, the problem has been found and look for the car sponsored by ESS’ tour sponsor Ryan Jacobs to be in the hunt in the stretch drive.

  The 2007 season started back in March with a wild display of a rotating sprint car in ESS booth at the annual Motorsports Expo.  Now it’s August and Cory Sparks and gang his fulfilled one goal of going to every ESS event in 2007.  A solid top five finish in front of his hometown fans at Fonda has been the series highlight and with continued experienced gained, a goal of top ten in points could be found as well.

  What a pleasant surprise has come from Normand Beaudreault, a former mini-sprint regular from Quebec.  At first the plan was to hit just local shows but with the exception of the western Ohsweken/Merrittville weekend this team has been at every ESS show in ’07.  The likeable sprint rookie has his first top ten all locked up at the last ESS event at Granby until a blown engine sent him pit side just two laps from the finish.  But look for this team who always has a smile shown to be at the final ESS shows gaining valuable experience…and Fun!

  Another welcomed addition as been the entry of Jared Zimbardi who when schedule permits the exciting 20 year old second generation driver finds himself in the ESS field.  Even though he hasn’t been at all the events, three top five finishes has still been recorded and is also a threat to take his first ever ESS A-Main triumph.  When you see the black #35 in the pits, keep your eyes on this future star in sprint car racing.

  While he also runs ESS part-time, the 2007 recap can not go without a mention of Chuck Hebing.  Two victories have added to his total and the win at the first Granby event in a car he never sat in, at a track he’s never been too was a headliner indeed.  Hebing will run a few more ESS events in ’07 and he always will be a driver to watch.

  With the likes of Tim Kelly, Jessica Zemken, Anthony Cain, Russ Bennett, Brian McDonald and others adding to the total of 63 different drivers that have run ESS events thus far in ’07, the 25th season has been one for the history books.  The stretch drive kicks off this weekend with events at Edelweiss, Brockville and Cornwall.  The hunt for over $30,000 in cash heats up now and in ESS tradition, it will be excitement guaranteed!! 

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