WASHINGTON, W.Va. (July 6, 2023) – Just over a month separates racers and devoted open wheel fans from another edition of the annual Pete Smith Memorial at Ohio Valley Speedway, and with a stout list of bonuses and contingencies accompanying an already impressive $4,000-to-win/$400-to-start feature purse, the enthusiasm for August 11 is hard to overcome. Of those planning to enter the sought-after West Virginia blockbuster, it is Holmesville, Ohio’s Lee Jacobs who is, perhaps, the most enthused, aiming to pick up right where he left off as the reigning Pete Smith Memorial winner.
Jacobs, ace of the 1881 Racing/Simcox Grinding & Steel No. 81 sprint car, all but dominated last year’s Pete Smith event, opening competition with a heat race win before leading every feature circuit for a $4,000 payday. The Ohio Valley Sprint Car Association (OVSCA) triumph was a first-ever for Jacobs, also becoming the second Pete Smith Memorial winner in as many events.
Chris Myers, who participated in each of the contested Pete Smith Memorial programs, was the 2021 event champion, holding off Kory Crabtree and Ryan Broughton for the inaugural score. Myers raced on to finish sixth in 2022.
“It was great to have Lee [Jacobs] join us for the 2022 Pete Smith Memorial, and I’m excited to hear he’ll be back in August to defend his title,” Darren Griffith, event partner, noted. “It’s special to have guys like Chris Myers and Lee Jacobs as previous winners. It’s going to be another competitive year and with Chris and Lee each throwing their hats in the ring to win another one, anything can happen.”
As noted, the 2023 Pete Smith Memorial is packed top to bottom with contingencies and incentives, some of which include qualifying awards, heat race, hard charger, and hard luck bonuses, and feature lap money. Should the eventual champion lead the entire 25-lap program, the respective winner will earn well over $5,000.
“We have a lot of great people who stand behind this event and make it possible. I’m just the lucky guy who gets to be a part of it all,” Griffith added. “To honor such a legendary car owner and fellow West Virginia native in this manner is really indescribable. It’s been a dream of mine to help guide something like this into fruition, but it wouldn’t be anywhere without those who support and give to it…they are the real backbone.”
2023 Pete Smith Memorial Contingencies and Bonuses:
Friday, August 11
Feature Sponsors: $4,000-to-win & $400-to-start
Smoker Friendly
J&M Tree Service
Heat Race Awards: ($400 Each):
Heat 1 | Wilfong Dental
Heat 2 | Douglass & Company
Heat 3 | Safelite Autoglass
Heat 4 | Pine Tree Towing
Contingency Awards:
Wilfong Dental | $100 | Most Laps Led during A-Main
Cheryl and Tricia Tingler | $100 | 12th Place on Lap 12
*in honor of their late husband and father, Rand Tingler.
Qualifying:
J&M Tree Service | $500 | Top Three Qualifiers: $250, $150, $100,
IonX Coatings and Fuel | $100 | Fastest To Not Make A-Main
IonX Coatings and Fuel | $100 | Slowest Car to Make A-Main
Hard Luck:
O’Reilly’s Auto Parts | $150 Gift Card
Hard Charger:
Bill Mossor Surveying | $200 for Hard Charger in A-Main:
Bill Mossor Surveying | $100 | Second Hard Charger in A-Main
Bill Mossor Surveying | $100 for B-Main Hard Charger
Bill Mossor Surveying | $50 Second Hard Charger B-Main
Feature Lap Money:
$50-First | $25-Second | $25-Third
1. AutoMed
2. Final Grad Excavating
3. IonX Coatings and Fuel
4. In Memory of Brandon Wilfong
5. West Virginia Polo Club
6. T&M Automotive Repair
7. Ohio Flooring Plus
8. Sir Fix A Lot Wireless
9. Griffith Siblings
10. Cunningham Concrete
11. In Honor of Gary Loynachan
12. K-Contracting
13. In Honor of Debi Myers and All Lung Cancer Survivors
14. Safelite Autoglass
15. Final Grad Excavating
16. Graphic’s Creation
17. Evans Construction & Asphalt Paving, LLC
18. Station Lounge & Grill LLC
19. U.S. Military Vets Motorcycle Club
20. Grey Wolf Armament LLC
21. JED’s Services
22. Pine Tree Towing
23. Pine Tree Towing
24. Pine Tree Towing
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