By: TIM BALTZ – HOGANSBURG, NY – Another big night of racing is set to go this coming Friday night as the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints and Quebec Lightning Sprints make their annual trip to the Mohawk International Raceway, along with a special event for the Crossroads Tobacco Sportsman division in preparation for their annual Pete Mitchell Memorial.
The 2019 season has been a competitive one for the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints with 6 different winners in the first 7 events. Sparrowbush New York’s Billy VanInwegen picked up his first ever series win last Friday night at Autodrome Granby and will be back to build on his 3rd place finish in this event a year ago. 2017 series champion Jason Barney holds a slim 5-point lead over two-time series champion “The Cobra” Chuck Hebing coming in to this weekends action. Steve Poirier leads all drivers with 8 victories in the 21 previous events with a total of 12 different drivers visiting victory lane.
Making their lone appearance in 2019 will be the Quebec Lightning Sprints for their 4th scheduled race of the year. Tomy Moreau and two time series champion Jordan Poirier claimed the opening events of the season at Drummond on May 18th and Cornwall May 26th respectively and are currently tied for the early season points lead. Rain claimed the May 11th and June 1st events at RPM and Autodrome Drummond. The event is the 2nd leg of a 5-race series sponsored by 417 Bus Lines.
It’s a big evening for the Crossroads Tobacco Sportsman division this week with a 35 lap Pete Mitchell Memorial Qualifier on tap. Johnathon Ferguson won last year’s event which locked him into at least 13th starting spot for last year’s running and the same stipulation is in order for this year’s winner as well. Shane Pecore has been the dominant factor winning the opening two races of the season in the Gauvreau Racing team machine and will be on the search for three in a row. Teammate Cedric Gauvreau, defending track champion Brianna Ladouceur, Zack Arquiett and a host of others will be looking for their share of the spotlight as well.
A full card of racing is also in store for the Novice Sportsman, Mod Lite and Bandits divisions. The Twin Leaf Stores 358 Modifieds will have the evening off giving last week’s winner Madison Mulder an extra week to let his first win of the season sink in. Racing gets underway at 7:30pm and don’t forget Canadian Money will be taken at par with a free bridge pass for the evening if you present your toll booth receipt at the main gate.
For information and up to date results, points and everything happening at the speedway, stay tuned to our website at mohawkintlraceway.com. Be sure to give us a follow on our Twitter and Facebook pages.