7.2.15 Empire Super Sprints Results
CANANDAIGUA, NY – Chuck Hebing continued his hot start to the 2015 season with the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints on Thursday night at the Canandiagua Motorsports Park. Hebing captured his second consecutive 25-lap main-event giving him four wins on the season. The win came as part of SUNY Canton Central New York Speedweek presented by Einstein Construction Group.
Just like the night before, Hebing used a late race restart to make a pass for the top spot. Once he took command he led the final few circuits for the win in the NAPA Auto-Parts Tour of the U.S. feature. He pocketed over $2,000 for his efforts.
“We are having fun right now,” said Hebing in Victory Lane. “The car is unbelievable. The guys worked all day on the car, I worked at my shop and I just have to drive it right now and it’s working out really good.”
Bryan Howland and Dylan Swiernik brought the 26 car starting line up to the green flag. Howland, driving for Doug Emery, got the initial lead as the field raced through turns one and two. Howland worked to the bottom of the speedway while Swiernik took his family owned No. 7c to the top of the track.
The top two remained unchanged in the opening stages as they raced away from the field with Hebing settling in to the third position. By lap six they found themselves battling for the lead in the traffic. One lap later the pair came to the flag stand side-by-side as they worked their way through traffic.
Swiernik was able to get the run he needed on lap eight as he moved to the outside of turn four to take the lead away from Howland. As Swiernik secured the number one spot, Hebing was busy battling with Justin Barger and Stewart Friesen for the third position.
As the race continued Hebing began to find his groove on the top side of the racing surface. The Ontario, N.Y., driver began make his way forward as he tracked down Howland by lap 15 and made the move to take over the second spot in the running order. From here he had a half-straightaway to make up on Swiernik as he raced out in front of the field still in heavy traffic.
With five laps to go Hebing continued his progress as he moved in on Swiernik who was struggling in traffic. Hebing was using the outside lane which allowed him to drive by the slower cars. Swiernik meanwhile was trying every lane on the track to no avail.
The only caution of the race came out on lap 22 when Steve Collins caught a rear tire of another competitor causing him to launch his front end into the air. When he landed the front end broke and he slid to stop right in front of Swiernik as he was coming off of turn four. Luckily no one made contact with Collins.
Swiernik elected to go to the outside for the restart. As they exited turn four at the green flag Swiernik gained a slight advantage on Hebing, but as they raced into the first turn Hebing went low and then slid up in front of Swiernik to take over the race lead. From there he cruised to the victory.
“We were gaining on him (Swiernik) and I thought we were going to get him in lapped traffic and stuff like that,” stated Hebing. “It looked liked like his car was giving up and our car was definitely getting faster. We made all the right calls on the chassis. It worked out well.”
A dejected Swiernik ended up in the second position. The Port Leyden, N.Y., was disappointed that he couldn’t hold off Hebing for the win. It was his best finish so far in the 2015 season after he sat out much of last season.
“That caution killed me,” said Swiernik. “I knew we had a good car and I was getting a little aggravated there in traffic. The worst thing you can do is get frustrated in traffic. I tried to hold on for the win and I hope we put on a good show for the fans tonight. I was really hoping for the win, man I wish we could have got it.”
Friesen made moves in the final three laps to earn the final spot on the podium. The Sprakers, N.Y., driver advanced from the 12th starting position to get to third on the final lap.
“The redraw was just awful so that made it tough,” said Friesen. “The track was pretty fast all over. This is a great first run with the Corr/Pak (Merchandising) team and Jessica (Zemken). We’re pumped. I think we got something to build on here.”
Shawn Donath, of South Onondaga, N.Y., ended up finishing in the fourth position while Steve Poirier managed to work his way up to the fifth spot after struggling early in the race.
ESS Speedweek Night #2 Notes – The field on the second night numbered 36…making first starts were Justin Barger, George Suprick, Steve Collins, Etienne Girard, Kory Gurnry, Steve Glover and Bobby Breen…Paulie Colagiovanni flipped over the turn two wall during hot laps, the crew worked hard and had the car ready for his heat…Steve Glover flopped over in his heat which ended his night…The event played host to a total standing room only crowd!
A-Main – Chuck Hebing ($2,000), Dylan Swiernik ($1,250), Stewart Friesen ($900), Shawn Donath ($680), Steve Poirier ($590), Bryan Howland ($710), Jason Barney ($505), Matt Tanner ($420), Justin Barger ($460), Danny Varin ($425), Mitch Brown ($385), Mark Smith ($320), Davie Franek ($300), Jeff Cook ($415), Joe Trenca ($285), Daryl Ruggles ($330), George Suprick ($325), Mike Stelter ($270), Paul Habeck ($265), Rob Dietrick ($360), Tommy Wickham ($105), Chris Durand ($250), Paulie Colagiovanni ($100), Dave Axton ($250), Steve Collins ($250), Paul Kinney ($250)
Did Not Qualify – Parker Evans, Etienne Girard, Yan Bilodeau, Alysha Ruggles, James Hanson, Zach Weigand, Kory Gurney, Steve Glover, Keith Prutzman, Bobby Breen
Lap Leaders – Howland 1-7, Swiernik 8-23, Hebing 24-25
Car Mate Trailers $25 to win Heats – Barger, Howland, Varin, Poirier
Lacaillade Masonry $50 to win B-Main – Suprick
Fastenal – Cobra Coaches Dash – Cook $100
Bonuses:
Insinger Fuels Hard Charger – Friesen (8 pos.) $50
Engler Machine and Tool Halfway – Swiernik $50
Ohsweken Speedway 20th Anniversary – Dietrick $50
SUNY Canton Smart Move – Donath $50
Beard Sewer and Drain Determination Award – Friesen $50
Fondations 55 Pick 5 – Poirier $35
Bitner Automotive Blistering Fast Time – Howland $25
9/11 Restoration – Barger and Brown $25
Hoosier Tire – Swiernik $200
Vahlco Wheels – Howland $190
For more Information on the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints:
Web: www.empiresupersprints.com
Twitter: @ESSprints
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpireSuperSprints
Android App: Empire Super Sprints
The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints are brought to you by: Lucas Oil, Mach 1 Chassis, SUNY Canton, NAPA Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tires, Insinger Performance, Car Mate Trailers, Fondations 4 Saisons, Cobra Coaches, 911 Restoration, Westward Painting Company, Fondations 55, Einstein Construction Group, Panther Frameworx, YorkMont Auctions, Engler Machine and Tool, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Beard Sewer and Drain, Lacaillade Masonry, FX Chevy, ASI Racewear and many, many associate sponsors!!