Firecracker 100 proves to be big draw for Lernerville Speedway

The roar of dozens of engines was music to Buffalo Township native Tara Barthel’s ears.

It was a familiar sound for her and several family members as they took in the sights and sounds of the 18th annual Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway.

“It’s always been a family thing. We have a family full of racers,” Barthel said. “We all grew up here. I’ve been coming since I was in a car seat and I could sit there and fall asleep in the stands listening to those cars. That’s music to my ears.”

She made potato and macaroni salad for the tailgating spread. Her cousin, former racer Jack Speicher of Summit, grilled burgers on a small gas drill perched on the back of his Ford pickup.

“We’re here just about every week,” said Speicher. “This is all I’ve ever done since I’ve been 3 months old.”

Speicher’s mother, Debbie Bayne, said there is another part about being at Lernerville that unites the family.

“We’re all relaxing and not working,” she said. “It’s all in fun.”

Jack’s father, Jim Speicher, raced on Lernerville’s tracks years ago.

Barthel recalled how drivers played horseshoes and other games with fans before races.

She sat next to her mother, Karen Bittmer, at the family’s tailgate in the venue’s grass and gravel parking lot.

They came out to support local driver and defending track champion Michael Norris of Sarver, who set the record for the fastest time on the track Friday night.

The family was one of about 15,000 who came to the race track this weekend.

Some people brought inflatable wading pools to help beat the heat. Golf carts and ATVs were the vehicles of choice to get around the site.

“People like to come for the whole camping aspect, and then you have the people who follow their favorite drivers and the rush cars, too,” Lernerville spokeswoman Jessica Mohrbacher said. “It’s kind of a good mix of people. … It blows my mind how loyal people are to Lernerville and people who don’t even live around here.”

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In the pit

Numerous crews were working in the pit on their respective cars getting tires installed, steering and brakes checked and rechecked before rolling out onto the dirt track.

Joey “The Body” Zambotti, 37, represented his company, Zambotti Collision Center, in the crate late model races.

The Kittanning driver got into race cars in 2013 and in the aforementioned division in 2017.

He fell in love with racing in general since putting his hands on a motorbike at age 3.

“Speed’s always been in my blood,” he said. “I was so little my hands couldn’t touch the brakes. I would have to side saddle and coast until it slowed down to where I could jump off and run with it until it stopped.”

Zambotti said performing for the fans makes all the preparation worth it.

“It’s an eight-day a week job keeping cars going for the one night everyone gets to see an hour of you,” Zambotti said. “It’s definitely humbling. You could win tonight (and) go to another track tomorrow and you could get smashed. That ruins your whole weekend. You forget the highs and lows. It’s a roller coaster ride.”

He said all the other Lernerville competitors and their crews were very respectful in the pit. However, it’s all business on the track.

“You’ve got to carry yourself in such a high manner without a helmet on because that’s what reflects who you are as a person,” Zambotti said. “You give thanks. You never take anything for granted. You’ve got to keep grinding. You’ve got to work hard and you’ve got to be prepared. You’ve got to be willing to help other people.

“You are never any better than the next person. It doesn’t matter what kind of racing you do.”

Keep it rolling

Smokey Schempp, 76, of Munhall is the head pit steward and has been at Lernerville since 1978.

The retired racer oversees the competitors, grounds crew and helps make the event run like a well-oiled machine.

“You make sure you have the best race track you can possible with the weather and everything, and you need cooperation from the drivers to make it work fine,” Schempp said. “You keep the show moving so the fans see a good race and get them out of here at a decent time.

“You make sure (drivers) come up when you call them for their heat race. Everything keeps moving. When the checkered flag drops for the one race you push the next race out.”