LEBANON, Pa.: If there were no more additions or changes to the Final Steve Smith Sr. Tribute Race, it would be one of the biggest shows in the central Pennsylvania region during the 2026 season.
But there is no way organizers are slowing this thing down. Instead, Brian Leppo, Smith’s son-in law, the Smith family, Lincoln Speedway, and the sponsors involved are adding to this already great event.
Gone is the $40,019 posted winner’s share. It got a boost in the last couple of weeks, and now this storied event, which takes place June 29th at Lincoln Speedway as an integral part of Pennsylvania Speedweek, will feature a $50,019 first-place check.
“When we started planning this final tribute race last summer, JoAnn (Steve Smith Sr.’s widow) thought $50,019 would be ‘Neat,’” Leppo said. “Well, thanks to our many supporters, we were able to make a ‘Neat’ race idea turn into this amazing event.
“It’s been amazing how this has all come together. The level of support we have received from all of our sponsors, and the interest of fans and the teams … they have all been a huge part of making this event great. Everybody in the racing community coming together for this; I can’t think of a better way to honor Steve.”
First place isn’t the only position that got a boost. According to Leppo, money has been added to positions second through 10th, which brings the overall purse for the Final Steve Smith Sr. Tribute Race to $188,640.
Second place will be worth $22,019, with fifth paying $7,619. Tenth will receive a hefty $4,319, and it will be $1,919 to start. The two B-Mains will feature a combined purse of $29,684, and the event will also have a host of contingency awards worth more than $20,000.
Along with the hefty purse and contingency awards, The Bandit Challenge will give a competitor a chance to earn an additional $6,619 for giving up their upfront starting spot to start 19th on the grid. The bonus will be in addition to finishing money and is being put up by Brent Hetzel and his family.
“It was important for us to have a big number up top, but also pay well down through the order,” Leppo said. “We wanted to have a purse that was good from top to bottom, as well as give something to the teams that don’t qualify. That way, everybody benefits from this event.
“All of the competitors who come to the track are an important part of putting on a show for the fans, and we thought it was important to give them something, even if they don’t have a good night. Thanks to our sponsors, we were able to do that, and we hope we can do even more in the weeks leading up to the event.”
Schmuck Lumber/ACE Hardware is the presenting sponsor of the Final Steve Smith Sr. Tribute. Associate sponsors include Aero Energy, Avalon Group, LLC, Brewer’s Home Improvements, FillPools.com, Fletcher’s Service Center, Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic, J&S Classics, Jiffy Lube (Mechanicsburg and Camp Hill), Mark Martin Motors, Miller Brown Ohm, Ream Roofing, RLR Trucking, Rudisill Trucking, and Woods CRW/Link-Belt Excavators.
Other sponsors include AL Driveline, Auto Glass Guyz, Autry Plumbing, B&D Petroleum Service, B&E Racing Customs, Brett Reckless Tattoo, C&D Rigging, Capitol Renegade, CJB Motorsports, Don Ott Racing Engines, 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, Graphcom, H&H General Excavating, Hanover Auto Team, Hellraizer Jacks, Hetzel Family, Huset’s Speedway, Jeff Barnes Collision Center, J Fuels, JPH Enterprises, JST Enterprises, JVI Group, Inc., LABs, Inc., Livingston Lawn Care Pros, Marchio’s Sport Hut, Inc., M&T Lawn Care, O’Brien Fuel & Service, OverDrive Rides, Pine Run Angus Farms, Racehorse Tavern, Racing Through Time Antiques & Collectables, Rider Racing Engines, Rife Racing, Rocket Designs, Salem Sales & Service, SHO Logistics, Smith’s Septic, SmithTi, SprintCarUnlimited.com, Sub Stop, The Auto Barn Used Parts, The Bridges Golf Club, The Green Horizon Grill, Tribuilt Group, Torq Pit Bikes, Trump Plumbing and Heating, Waggoner Construction, York Excavating Company.