9/5/2023
Can-Am Speedway
Three Series Races to Highlight John Burr Memorial Night at Can-Am
We got a green Can Am Here We Go!!! These drivers are Horsepower Hungry tonight Holy Smokes!, Three Cars Four Cars wide Stack ‘em up and Count ‘em!!
These and a few other famous lines, from an announcer who set the bar for others in the North Country. John Burr for the better part of 30 years was the voice of the Can Am Speedway and thrilled crowds with his classic calls of some of the best races seen in all divisions, when Can Am opened the doors for its first full time season in 1975.
John was an iconic voice not only heard in the summer time by many dirt track and pavement enthusiasts, but was also the voice of snowmobile racing and was a member of the New York State Tractor Pullers Association, where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2016. He was also a familiar voice during Super DIRT Week at the Moody Mile in Syracuse.
His memory will live on this Friday night with a full program of racing featuring the 5th annual John Burr Memorial for the DIRTCar Sportsman Series, a division he cared deeply about, along with another division he loved, The DIRTCar 358 Modified Series. If that isn’t enough, The Action Sprint Tour East Series will invade to take on our own Can Am Speedway regulars in the Panther Frameworx Crate Sprint Cars. By the way John had a love for “The Sprinters” as well.
The DIRTCar 358 Modified Series has seen two winners in two events. Six time Modified Track Champion Billy Dunn kicked off the series at Glen Ridge with a $4000 payday, while Mat Williamson came back to score the win at the Highbank Hold Up at the Fulton Speedway in late June. Williamson leads the points by a narrow margin heading into this weekend’s series event. Tim Fuller, the now three-time track champion, has won seven series events dating back to 1999 and will be the heavy favorite to defend home turf.
In DIRTCar Sportsman Series action this year Andrew Buff has been the dominant force in the Northeast. Buff captured track titles at Glen Ridge, Albany Saratoga and Fulton Speedways, along with the Central Regional Championship putting him atop the points. Tyler Corcoran who wrapped up his 4th title in a row in the Bob Johnson Auto Group DIRTCar Sportsman ranks, will be among many regulars looking to hold off Buff and the rest of the series invaders Friday night.
After a weekend of National Tour races at the Brighton Speedway, which saw Matt Billings and Can Am Regular Andrew Hennessy claim feature wins, the Action Sprint Tour East Series comes to town. Everyone will be chasing points leader Lee Ladouceur, who has won 5 out of the 6 events run this season. Mathieu Bardier, Adam Turner and Hennessy will be among the many drivers gunning for the win.
The Sundance Leisure Thundercars saw Francis White lock up his first Can-Am title with his 4th win of the season one week ago. This weekend the division will honor Francis’s father in the annual Ron White Memorial event. The race is expecting many invaders from across New York State, some who run pavement, some who run dirt. But they all want that prestigious Ron White Memorial trophy, including Francis, who is still looking to win it for the very first time.
The evening will begin with hot laps and time trials prior to the first green flag dropping on the first heat at 7pm. Miss Thousand Islands and Miss Adirondak will be on hand for opening ceremonies and National Anthems.
For further information be sure to check out the speedway website at racecanam.com. For those who are on social media, be sure to give the speedway a follow on Facebook for instant updates.
Article Credit: Tim Baltz
Submitted By: Tyler & Michelle Bartlett
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