ESS: Brockville and Merrittville preview

Empire Super Sprint Tour 2000 Begins the Stretch Drive; Visits Brockville and Merrittville This Weekend.

by Dean Reynolds

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Events 23 and 24 on the Empire Super Sprint Tour 2000 schedule takes place North of the border this weekend with stops at the Brockville Ontario Speedway on Friday, Aug. 25 and then to the Merrittville Speedway on Sat. the 26th. It will be a sprint car fans delight as the winged warriors visit two of the most picturesque areas in the Province on Ontario. Brockville is one the most famous areas on the St. Lawrence Seaway while Merrittville is mere minutes from beautiful Niagara Falls.

Not only will the two events be key in the point standings as there is just six full point shows left on the calendar, but both events will be special qualifiers as well. The event at the fast quarter-mile in Brockville will be a qualifier for the ESS/URC Super Shootout held at the New York State Fairgrounds during Super DIRT Week. The victor will join Dan Kaszubinski as a guaranteed starter for the 20 mile, $35,000 event. The Merrittville event will be the final of three Bully Hill Vineyards Super Sprint Nationals qualifiers for the $40,000 two day show at the Black Rock Speedway on Sept. 8 & 9. The winner will join Bill Coffey and Bob Podolak as drivers that will have a chance for the pole position of the rich event. The pole starting spot is only open to the drivers that won Bully Hill qualifiers during the 2000 season.

A total of 22 events have been run thus far on the half-a-million-dollar ESS Tour 2000 with one of the most competitive seasons ever in the 17 year history of ESS being showcased. So far, 12 different drivers have held the checkered flag in victory lane with the battle for the championship a nip and tuck battle between Mike Woodring and Lance Yonge. Behind the leading duo is a tight battle between Kaszubinski, Mike Stelter, Doug Emery and Scott Holcomb for the show position in the final point rundown.

Not only is the point fight for the $25,000 cash point fund for the Tour 200 coming down to the wire but also in the Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar/Lebrie Design Canadian Invasion points as well. With just five events left, Doug Emery leads Stelter and R.C. Faigle for that title. A $1000 point fund as well as a $400 helmet detail is on the line.

R.C. Faigle's only win this season came at Brockville and he's looking to make it three in a row at the "BOS" as he won the only event there last year as well. Local favorite Rick Wilson, a former DIRT small block regular, will be out to collect his first ever ESS win ever on front of the home crowd. Both Faigle and Wilson will have their hands full as Syracuse, N.Y.'s Dan Kaszubinski will be ready to make it three wins in a row on the Tour.

Rob Dietrick claimed his only win on the 2000 Tour at Merrittville back in June and he is hoping to improve on his top ten point standing placing with another victory. Top stars such as Emery, Bubby Kerrick, Ray Preston and rookie Randy Years will be in the field in hopes to make themselves the 13th different winner on the season.

Oh Canada!...."America's Race Cars" are ready to invade. Brockville and Merrittville, the Empire Super Sprints will be throwing mud in you eye!!

<pre> Empire Super Sprint Tour 2000 Points.

1. Mike Woodring      2157 ****
2. Lance Yonge        2089 ***
3. Dan Kaszubinski    1865 ****
4. Mike Stelter       1848 **
5. Doug Emery         1805
6. Scott Holcomb      1765
7. Rob Dietrick       1631 *
8. Bubby Kerrick      1628
9. Steve Dow          1607 **
10. R.C. Faigle       1551 *

*** A-Main wins Other Winners - Bill Coffey, Alain Bergeron, Bob       .
Podolak, Don Sharp Jr., Rich Wood                                      .

Canadian Invasion Points. 1. Doug Emery 486 2. Mike Stelter 473 * 3. R.C. Faigle 457 * 4. Lance Yonge 447 5. Rob Dietrick 446 *