MECHANICSBURG -- Hanover native Stevie Smith grabbed the lead from Shane Stewart with ten laps remaining and went on to win PA Speed Week's Mitch Smith Memorial Friday at Williams Grove Speedway.
It was Smith’s second career win in the prestigious 30-lap event, which honors Mitch Smith, the late, great area sprint car star from Linglestown. The victory was worth $10,000.
Stevie Smith started third in the 30-lap event aboard "The Black Bandit," the CJB Motorsports No. 19, and swapped third with Danny Lasoski on the first circuit before securing the spot as Stewart led over Aaron Ott.
All it took was one misstep by Stewart in the third turn with 10 laps to go for Smith to take advantage and blast into the lead. “He eased up for one second and I let it go across,” said the winner, according to the Williams Grove website. “That’s how you do it here.”
Smith credited his hard-working crew for victory. “I get to drive it," he said. "They’re doin’ all the work. All the credit goes to them.”
The race pace was slowed for the first time just after the first lap was scored when Paul McMahan glanced off of the first turn rail and stopped.
Smith motored by Ott and into second on the fourth circuit before Ott stopped with six away, bringing out another caution flag.
Another red flag unfurled with only one lap to go when Danny Dietrich flipped out of ninth place in the fourth corner.
The final restart saw Smith blast away to the win the 24th annual Smith Memorial. He won the inaugural event in 1989. “That’s too long,” Smith said of the many years between victories.
Stewart held on for second followed by Hodnett, Lasoski and Don Kreitz Jr. Sixth through tenth went to Mike Erdley, Fred Rahmer, Doug Esh, Lance Dewease and defending Smith Memorial winner, Alan Krimes.
Information used in this story is provided by Williams Grove Speedway.
