5.13.22 Empire Super Sprints Results

Vernon, NY – After cashing in on the Empire Super Sprints season opener at Fulton Speedway, Danny Varin goes two for two after winning the 25 lap A Main at Utica Rome last Friday night. The Fonda, New York chauffeur was dominant all night as he posted fast time in his group, won his heat and drove to the front from his 10th place starting position for the A Main.

With 32 sprint cars in the Utica Rome pits, it took 4 heats to determine who would qualify for the A main. Both Danny Varin and Paulie Colagiovanni were fastest in their groups and won their heat race. Other fast time winners were Jeff Cook and Kelly Hebing. Jordan Poirier and Joe Trenca were the other two heat race winners.

After drawing the pole, Lil’ Cobra Kelly Hebing led the 26 car field down to the start of the 25 lap A Main. Hebing opened up a 3/4 straightway lead until a caution on lap 9 drew the field back in. At the time of the caution, Paulie Colagiovanni moved into second and won the drag race to turn one with Hebing, Jason Barney, Shawn Donath and Varin close behind. Colagiovanni opened up a 12 car length lead midway through the race when Hebing started to close in on the 10C. With four laps to go, Varin was creeping up on Hebing’s rear nerf bar for second when heartbreak struck the Lil’ Cobra as her car ” tightened up and she could not make the corner ” resulting in a spin. The ensuing caution brought the field together for one last restart where Varin slipped under Colagiovanni out of turn two to grab the lead and the win. Paulie Colagiovanni held on for second followed by Jason Barney, Shawn Donath and Jordan Poirier. Billy VanInwegen ( Hard Charger Award from 23rd ) finished sixth, followed by Jeff Cook, Davie Franek, Dylan Swiernik and Matt Tanner.

A Main Finish : DANNY VARIN, Paulie Colagiovanni, Jason Barney, Shawn Donath, Jordan Poirier, Billy Van Inwegen, Jeff Cook, Davie Franek, Dylan Swiernik, Matt Tanner, Chad Miller, Jordan Thomas, Brett Wright, Kelly Hebing, Dalton Rombough, Steve Glover, Keith Granholm, Mikey Kruchka, Joe Trenca, Lacey Hanson, Jeff Trombley, Chuck Hebing, Emily Van Inwegen, Bobby Hackel, Jonathan Preston, Sammy Reakes IV

Pit side notes:
– Jonathan Preston flipped during the A Main, he was not injured but the car was done for the night.
– It was the first Empire Super Sprints race at Utica Rome Speedway since July 2019.

Awards and Contingencies :
Rifenburg Contracting Fast Time Award : Varin, Cook, K.Hebing, Colagiovanni, $25 each
Cobra Coaches / Paul Kinney Motorsports Dash Winner : Franek
Pinnacle Pole Draw Award : K.Hebing $25 each
E & V Energy Heat Winners : Varin, Poirier, Trenca, Colagiovanni, $25 each
Lacaillade Masonry B Main Winner : Thomas $50
Ashley Lynn Winery Podium Finish : Varin, Colagiovanni, Barney, bottle of wine to each
Halfway Leader : Colagiovanni $50 each
Hard Charger Award – B. Van Inwegen ( + 17 ) $50 each
Pinnacle Investments Last Car Running Award : Kruchka $50 each
Pinnacle Investments 11th Place Finish Award – Miller $25 – fuel
Highest Finishing ESS Rookie : Rombough $25 each
First Non-Qualifier – Cartier $65 each
First Non-Feature Winner : Miller $65 each
Hoosier Tire Award – Reakes IV, free tire