in memorium
CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA LEGEND STEVE SMITH PASSES
THE MAN KNOWN forever as the Black Bandit, Steve Smith, passed away in early June after a lengthy illness. Smith leaves behind a legacy of technical virtuosity, kindness, competition and dedication that continues to shine through the industry with his son Stevie Smith. Smith first got behind the wheel during the 1969 season after he moved from Florida to join the burgeoning Central Pennsylvania racing scene. The first of his 266 wins came at BAPS Motor Speedway (then called Susquehanna Speedway). Although his first win didn’t come at Lincoln Speedway, it would quickly become his home track as he dominated the speedway to the tune of nine track titles, including an impressive stretch of consecutive titles from 1973 through 1978. He was also prolific at Williams Grove and he scored a track title there in 1989 and National Open victories in 1974, 1976 and again in 1981. Smith won all over Central Pennsylvania through the 1970s and 1980s and even kicked off his fourth decade of racing by winning the inaugural Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek title in 1991. He raced until 1996 when he garnered his final two wins at Lincoln Speedway with the All Stars and at Hagerstown at the World of Outlaws. Smith was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2000.
Photos: Paul Arch
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DIRT EMPIRE MAGAZINE • ISSUE 04 - 2021
