Can-Am hopes latest big event will outrace raindrops
LAFARGEVILLE — If the weather permits, this could be one of the biggest weekends of the year for Can-Am Motorsports Park.
The track is holding special Labor Day weekend events on both Friday and Saturday night, highlighted by the Empire Super Sprints making an appearance on Friday. Fireworks are planned as well.
"It should be a good weekend," said Chip Burdick, the track's general manager. "We haven't had that here in Labor Day weekend the last couple years. When the (Empire Super Sprint) cars come, it's always big."
The track has been under new ownership this season and has seen some improvements, but it's also faced its share of challenges.
A storm in July caused massive damage to the facility. Then it rained almost three inches in one day the night the track was scheduled to have a large concert, headlined by country singer Gretchen Wilson.
Scattered thunderstorms are in the forecast for Friday and rain is also forecast for Saturday.
"It is what it is," Burdick said of the weather woes. "I learned that when we did that concert. We did the biggest event here and in one day we get three inches of rain. Hopefully, rain doesn't come until late Friday. If we get a little rain during the course of the night Friday night we'll deal with it when it happens."
In addition to the Empire Super Sprints on Friday there is a 30-lap, big block 358-modified race scheduled along with a DIRT sportsman/pro late models race.
Saturday's agenda includes a 30-lap street stock race, which will pay $1,000 to the winner, a 20-lap mod lites race, a pure stocks/thunder cars race, and a 40-lap enduro race that also will pay $1,000 to the winner.
Burdick hopes the fireworks planned for Saturday night will draw more fans.
"People usually do them Fourth of July weekend, we thought we'd be different and do it Labor Day weekend," he said.
Despite the problems nature has caused this season, it has been a productive one at the facility.
"I'd say so far it's been really good," Burdick said. "It's still hard to make money here. There are a lot of expenses. We've doubled our attendance from last year. We have to keep plugging away at it and someday turn this place around. It can hold its own."
SUPER SPRINTS UPDATE
Friday's race at Can-Am is one of two scheduled events for the Empire Super Sprints this weekend. The series also has a race scheduled for Sunday at the Utica-Rome Speedway.
Steve Poirier is holding a slim lead in the points standings over Justin Barger. Poirier has 1,829 points and Barger 1,812. Poirier has won four races and Barger three.
Antwerp native Jeff Cook is in sixth place with 1,121 points and has won one feature this season.
OTHER LOCAL EVENTS
Along with Can-Am's two-day weekend the area's other two tracks will feature their own racing events.
The Mohawk International Raceway in Hogansburg will be open Friday night and the Thunder Alley Speedpark in Evans Mills will have its regular schedule on Saturday.
