7.17.15 Empire Super Sprints Results
Malta, NY – While it’s not a surprise that Stewart Friesen visited victory lane Fridaynight at the Albany Saratoga Speedway for his second consecutive Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprint (ESS) A-Main, it was how he got there that could be. Taking the lead just after halfway when current leader Chuck Hebing did a 360 spin was what made this an unusual story.
“That was something to see, not sure what happened there!” Friesen commented on see Hebing loop his sprint. “I’m not sure if he just got into the black and went around or what happened but it was a shock.”
Friesen, driving his wife’s Corr Pak Merchandising #1Z was basically home free after that as he went on to ESS career win #10, ironically ahead of Jessica Zemken by one.
“I just have to thank Jess, the crew, Maxim chassis, everyone for giving me a good car.” Friesen went on. “We felt good all night, we just had to make sure we were right with the draw and having Chuck starting ahead of you.”
“I was right there, we had to use the bottom as he (Hebing) was up top and it was going to be a good race., especially getting to lapped traffic.” Noted the Sprakers, NY star.
Danny Varin took the lead from his outside pole starting spot and looked to be a threat to bring home his first career ESS victory in front of many hometown fans. But, the second generation Varin’s bad luck continued.
On lap five, Zach Weigand made hard contact with the turn four wall and flipped over. Varin with nowhere to go made hard contact with Weigand causing heavy damage to both cars. Thankfully, both drivers climbed from their cars under their own power.
Hebing then inherited the lead with Friesen right behind setting the stage for a crowd pleasing dual. The two stayed side by side for many laps until the spin in turns one and two just past halfway.
Hebing recovered and was just in front of a fourth place running Steve Poirier. He regained his pace but the chance for the win was gone as the event went green to the checkered flag.
Friesen was now with a comfortable margin, Hebing closed in on second place Paulie Colagiovanni slipping by on the closing stages to take second at the end of 25 laps.
“I can’t believe I spun.” Hebing said shaking his head. “I’m not sure what happened but the car just came around. It was going to be a good race with Stew but that didn’t happen. We will take second.”
For the young teenager, Colagiovanni was all smiles after his first ever ESS podium finish. It was his first race back after a wild flip at Can-Am during Speedweek.
“I had a real good car, have to thank the guys.” Said the young driver. “When we got the pole start I just wanted to stay smooth and put some good laps in and we did that.”
Current ESS point leader in Poirier came home fourth earning the hard charger bonus after starting in 15th with Jason Barney man handling his mount with a bent front wing to collect fifth.
Rounding out the top ten were Colagiovanni’s teammate in Tommy Wickham, Mike Stelter for his best finish in 2015, Cory Sparks, Dylan Swiernik and Matt Tanner.
ESS/Albany Saratoga Notes – A nice field of 23 cars came out in very iffy weather conditions that saw sprinkles from the sky almost the entire night…New for 2015 were Scott Holcomb, Chris Donnelly and Lacey Hanson…Track crews did a great job as the A-Main was checkered before 9:00 PM…Paul Kinney pulled pitside before the green flew with a broken distributor…Shawn Donath was running in second when he pulled in the infield late with a vibration…Donnelly flipped over in his heat but did start the A-Main and finished just outside the top ten…Next Friday it’s the make up at the Mohawk Int’l Raceway for a $2,000 to win A-Main.
Lucas Oil A-Main – Stewart Friesen ($1,575), Chuck Hebing ($1,050), Paulie Colagiovanni ($800), Steve Poirier ($680), Jason Barney ($590), Tommy Wickham ($860), Mike Stelter ($430), Cory Sparks ($420), Dylan Swiernik ($435), Matt Tanner ($400), Scott Holcomb ($385), Chris Donnelly ($320), Dave Axton ($300), Dan Douville ($290), Parker Evans ($285), Kory Gurney ($280), Denny Peebles ($475), Lacey Hanson ($270), Shawn Donath ($315), Danny Varin ($310), Zach Weigand ($255), Pete Richardson ($250), Paul Kinney ($275).
Lap Leaders –
Car Mate Trailers $25 To Win Heats – Barney, Friesen, Kinney
Other Bonuses:
Insinger Performance Hard Charger – Poirier (11 pos.) $50
Engler Machine and Tool Halfway – Hebing $50
Ohsweken Speedway 20th Anniversary – Varin $50
Beard Sewer and Drain Determination Award – Donath $50
SUNY Canton Smart Move – Friesen $50
Fondations 55 Pick 5 – Barney $35
911 Restoration – Swiernik and Holcomb $25
Hoosier Tire – Peebles $200
Vahlco Wheels – Wickham $190
Brian Sisson – Wickham $200