Story By: TYLER ALTMEYER / OHIO VALLEY SPRINT CAR ASSOCIATION – WASHINGTON, WV – 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.”