Lucrative Steve Smith Sr. Tribute Race keeps getting bigger for drivers and fans with The Bandit Challenge

LEBANON, Pa.: Pennsylvania Speedweek is already a storied event, but the much-anticipated Steve Smith Sr. Tribute Race at Lincoln Speedway is adding to the prestige of the grueling 10-race series.

It’s only natural that the Steve Smith Sr. Tribute is being talked about in racing circles. The event features the largest purse in Speedweek history and will also be the highest paying show to ever be run at Lincoln Speedway.

The purse checks in at over $166,000, and the bonuses continue to grow. The latest edition is The Bandit Challenge, which will give a driver an opportunity to give up his starting spot to start 19^th on the feature grid. For doing so, they will receive an extra $6,619 at the pay window regardless of finishing position.

Obviously, the pole-sitter gets first crack at taking the challenge. If they decline, it goes to the second starter and so on down the line until someone gives up their spot. The bonus is being posted by Brent Hetzel and his family, long-time supporters and family members to legendary driver Steve Smith Sr.

“Brent and the Hetzel family [Sherry-Steve’s sister, Don-Steve’s late brother-in-law, and Dylan] wanted to do something that was a huge award for one driver who is willing to take that challenge and fatten their pockets at such a prestigious event in honor of Steve,” said Brian Leppo, event organizer and son-in-law to Steve Smith Sr.

“We looked at different things to make drivers earn the money, but the Hetzel family wanted one driver to leave there with an award that’s never been given out with that value to just take a challenge. So, if you’re willing to get up on the wheel and pass a couple of cars, you can leave there with over $10,000 and not even be the winner of a PA Speedweek race.”

Steve Smith was Brent Hetzel’s hero. When the first event was held five years ago, he handed Anthony Macri a $1,900 for leading the 19^th lap of the main event.

But Smith was more than a driver Hetzel liked and cheered for when he went to the racetrack. He was Hetzel’s uncle and made Sprint Car racing a big part of his family and his life.

“I really wanted to do something and wanted this to be a big event and to do it for Steve,” Hetzel said. “I wanted to do it for my dad, Don, who was Steve’s brother-in law. I wanted to do it for the fans, for Lincoln, and for Sprint Car racing, in general.

“Sprint Car racing is only going to grow if people are willing to put effort behind it. Brian [Leppo] has been great, and he is married to my cousin Brandye, and we are good friends. I told him to come up with something big and different, because I kept trying to figure out how am I going to pay someone $6,619? Brian came up with the idea of The Bandit Challenge, and I thought it was perfect.”

The Bandit Challenge just adds to an event that has surged past expectations, and it’s not just the $40,019 posted first-place check, the A-Main purse $136,856, or $166,640 total purse. The twin B-Main will pay 20 spots and also feature an unprecedented Speedweek payout of a $14,842 purse apiece.

But Leppo and the people behind the scenes putting this race together aren’t done yet. You can expect more contingency awards and announcements to be released in the months leading up to this historic event.

“Since there are two national tours, these Sprint Car drivers have a chance to make a lot of money on a weekly basis, but on a local level, you have to pinch yourself a little bit when you realize these local guys have a chance to make some serious money,” Leppo said. “I also think it’s persuaded some national cars to come here.

“It’s special seeing cars from California to Knoxville circling this date. I think we’re going to persuade some more outsiders to come to the race, and you pinch yourself again when you see that. We grew up racing in central Pennsylvania, and I never had a shot at racing for this kind of money. It makes you smile.”

Continued Leppo, “I’m thankful for all of the sponsors and people who are involved with this event. It’s crazy to think that there’s that many people who want to be a part of making this race what it is. This is something special.”

Schmuck Lumber/ACE Hardware is the presenting sponsor of the final Steve Smith Sr. Tribute. Associate sponsors include Aero Energy, Avalon Group, LLC, Brewer Home Improvements, FillPools.com, Fletcher’s Service Center, J&S Classics, Miller Brown Ohm, Ream Roofing, RLR Trucking, and Team DGRD.

Other sponsors include AL Driveline, Auto Glass Guyz, B&D Petroleum Service, B&E Racing Customs, Brett Reckless Tattoo, C&D Rigging, Capital Renegade, CJB Motorsports, Finish Line Auto Sales, Freedom Offroad, Front Runner Construction, FXG Sign and Label, Gene Latta Ford, Glenville Station Pub & Grub, Goofy’s Eatery and Spirits, GPS Griffith Plumbing Services, H&H General Excavating, Hanover Auto Team, Hellraizer Jacks, Hetzel Family, Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic, Huset’s Speedway, Jeff Barnes Collision Center, J Fuels, JVI Group, Inc., Livingston Lawn Care Pros, Marchio’s Sport Hut, Inc., Mark Martin Motors, M&T Lawn Care, O’Brien Fuel & Service, OverDrive Rides, Pine Run Angus Farms, Racehorse Tavern, Racing Through Time Antiques & Collectables, Rocket Designs, Rudisill Trucking, Salem Sales & Service, SHO Logistics, SmithTi, Sub Stop, SprintCarUnlimited.com, The Auto Barn Used Parts, Torq Pit Bikes, Trump Plumbing and Heating, Waggoner Construction, York Excavating Company.