Sprint

ESS: VanDusen Racing 2003 driver line up

Mike Lutz and Jeff VanDusen join for Empire Super Sprints assault on the 2003 schedule. Otego, N.Y. -- In a major news breaking story with the Empire Super Sprints (ESS) for the 2003 season finds veteran sprint star Mike Lutz joining the VanDusen ...

Edited: Apr 23, 2005, 8:54 PM

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Mike Lutz and Jeff VanDusen join for Empire Super Sprints assault on the 2003 schedule.

Otego, N.Y. -- In a major news breaking story with the Empire Super Sprints (ESS) for the 2003 season finds veteran sprint star Mike Lutz joining the VanDusen family owned team as a teammate to teenage sensation Jeff VanDusen. The combo will be out in force to run the complete ESS schedule with the goal of having both drivers in the top five in points.

The young second generation VanDusen is coming off a break out year with ESS by capturing his first A-Main victory of his career on his way to an 11th place finish in the final points. The effort was recognized as ESS' most improved driver for 2002. With the addition of the Mercer, Pa. pilot, the outlook for the young chauffeur is looking even brighter.

"Bringing Mike (Lutz) aboard will just be a huge boost for me and the family's team." noted VanDusen, son of Mike VanDusen who also owns 17 career ESS wins. "He has run all types of sprinters all over the country. He knows these cars inside and out. I think he will help me with just his experience on driving styles and set-ups. Plus, I think he has a good chance in taking the ESS title next year also. With his help I hope to finish in the top five in points next season."

The goal of winning the championship in ESS' 20th anniversary season is just what Mike Lutz is looking at. "I'm real excited about joining up with Mike and Jeff. When I started to run with ESS back in July I got to know the family real well and they were a big help to me when I had problems." said the former All-Star Circuit of Champions rookie of the year. "It's been since the mid-90's, during my 410 days, that I have been this excited about an upcoming season. I'm going to have real good equipment and my goal is to win the championship."

Two Maxim built sprinters are at the ready with a third car/motor combo to be used as a back up to whoever needs it. The team will get its first taste of competition by entering the annual 360 nationals at East Bay Raceway near Tampa, Fla. The VanDusen family spends their winters in the Sunshine State annually and Lutz will join them at the end of January to get ready to take on some of the best 360 drivers in the country.

Dale Beach logging and ProSpas are aboard as sponsors with several other backers to be announced shortly. With eight-time ESS champion Mike Woodring looking to scale back some on his ESS racing to be a Silver Crown car owner for Erin Crocker, the title for next season is wide open with both driver having their goals to finish up front set.

For more information you can e-mail Dean Reynolds at essdino@a-znet.com or Jeff VanDusen at jvd425@aol.com. Also, you can visit the VanDusen Racing website at www.vandusenracing.com . For more information on the Empire Super Sprints feel free to log on to www.empiresupersprints.com.

ESS will showcase some 30 events in 2003 throughout the northeast and Canada. The sprinters of Mike Lutz and Jeff VanDusen will be at each event and the threat of the checkered flag waving over the top wing is a strong possibility at a race track near you.

-ess-

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