Racing in the Smith Family
written by Leadfoot's sister-in-law Melissa Smith
Racing In The Smith Family - A Mom's Perspective
Nate’s Story
Camping at Thompson’s World Series has long been a Smith tradition. Nathan enjoys watching the Limited Sportsman cars, and one car in particular is important to him – Nathan’s uncle – #73 – Larry “Leadfoot” Barnett.
The 2010 World Series was fast approaching, and like most, Ron and Nate brought the camper down early to “rope off a spot.” They heard the unmistakable hum of Quarter Midget engines coming from the Little T and walked down to watch cars practicing that day. 3 year old Nate looked up at Ron – wide eyed – “Daddy, can I do that someday, like Uncle Larry?” It was exactly what Ron wanted to hear his only child say. Ron grew up in racing, in one form or another. Three generations of Smiths have enjoyed following all forms of stock cars. Ron’s father, Bob, and Ron’s uncle, Charlie (AKA “Jake”), started at the Lonsdale Sports arena in the early 60’s racing backyard built “cut downs” and “jalopies”. His dad then moved on to drag racing. Ron, his dad, and brother have all helped out on various pit crews through the years. And Ron, an A Rider (Expert Class) in the NETRA Enduro circuit, had years of racing under his belt and in his blood. That was all Ron had to hear Nathan say. He was off… Planning… Thinking… And formulating a plan to get me on board…
Photo credit: Kim Smith Barnett
Now, I’m the first one to admit – Racing is not in my blood. Unlike Ron, I did not grow up with the sport, and being a mom, my first thought was – Are you NUTS? You’re going to put our only child in a gas powered car, in a fire suit, with a helmet on, in a 5 point harness, and encourage him to race around a track this size, with other kids doing the exact same thing? Yeah…Riiiiiight… But when Santa ever so graciously delivered a Quarter Midget on the Christmas that Nathan was 3 years old, (Unbeknownst to Mom by the way – That Santa is one tricky guy!), I had to get on board. Safety was my biggest concern, so I did my research, looked up some stats, and began to realize that more bad can happen to Nate riding a bike than it can in that car. I also know that Ron would never do anything that would put Nate in harm’s way. Nathan turned 4 in April of 2011. Ron started taking Nathan to parking lots; they were practicing and having fun. We could see potential, and Nate enjoyed driving, so we were in!
On March 18, 2012, at just shy of 5 years of age, Nathan started his Red Rookie training. It became glaringly apparent to me that the leadership at the Little T was exemplary, stellar and second to none. Any safety concerns – if I had any left – were completely gone.
In his first year, our Red Rookie drove a 2004 Cheetah, small chassis car (which had many updates to be still competitive) and proudly stood on the podium with two 2nd places and two 3rd places. He worked hard and learned a lot. We all did! Ron acquired two sponsors for Nate that year: East Coast Collision, and Precision Saw & Mower. I created a website (www.nathansmithracing.com) and a facebook fan page (Nathan Smith Racing) for Nathan.
Photo credit: Christina Hovey
When year 2 came, Ron bought Nathan a different car: a 2007 Nervo Grizzly, small chassis, built by NC Chassis, with all the bells and whistles. We picked up two additional sponsors: The Trailer Outlet, which helped us acquire our race trailer; and Hamlett Signs & Graphics, which created the vehicle body wrap, as well as all the vinyl decals for our trailer. Nate started his second year as a Red Rookie, achieved his first 1st place win, along with finishing 3rd on his Super Feature day. We decided it was time to move to Blue Rookie. He achieved a 1st place in his very first Blue Rookie race, but, truthfully, Nate struggled with the faster pace. He faced challenges (both mechanically and personally) in his next couple of races, but then achieved a 3rd place finish at the Fall Finale, his last race of his second season. He stuck with it, tried his best, trusted in his own abilities, and overcame his fears. And that’s a skill set that all of our great kids – every one of the kids that race – will keep with them forever – A benefit that this mom never considered when the subject of Quarter Midget racing first came up…
In fact, Nathan has reaped a plethora of benefits from Quarter Midget racing:
- Promotes self reliance
- Provides an opportunity to overcome fears
- Teaches the importance of following directions
- Encourages focus
- Instills a lifelong respect for driving and cars
- Teaches how to be gracious – a gentleman – in wins and losses
- Teaches that you aren’t going to win them all (In this world of “over-trophying”)
- Brings our whole family unit – our team – closer
Yes, that is what Quarter Midget racing has done for Nathan for the last two (going on three) years. And I’m grateful for it. On a personal note, it’s helped Ron and I grow as parents: Figuring out how to encourage, and not push too hard; not getting caught up in Nathan’s accomplishments or challenges and not thinking of them as our own; focusing attention on small personal victories, instead of on checkered flags and trophies; understanding that Nate is a cautious kid, but once he gains his confidence, he spreads his wings and he flies – Allowing him the freedom and the time to do that is key.
Photo credit: Kim Smith Barnett
Looking Up To Leadfoot
For all of us, there is a very important person who was a calm, encouraging voice as we navigated being rookie parents. Nathan’s uncle – Larry “Leadfoot” Barnett – has been racing over at Thompson and other local tracks for YEARS. Larry has had 67 career wins in his time as a race car driver, with 4 Limited Sportsman Championships at CT's Thompson Speedway. His resume boasts 57 track wins at Thompson alone. In 2012 and 2013, Larry raced not only in his Limited Sportsman car, but he also challenged himself by trying something new - Racing in the Modified Racing Series. Larry had helped out on several Modified teams, and he always had it in the back of his mind that he wanted to try it someday. He really wanted to have a chance to do the set up on a Modified race car and then go out and attempt to prove that he could master the race set up. Racing in the Modified Racing Series offered many new challenges to Leadfoot, and he – and his Limited Sportsman pit crew – learned a lot as they navigated a new car, with new competition, at new tracks. In the end, Larry learned that challenging yourself is a great thing, even if it means that things don’t work out quite as you had hoped, and that going back to something that is within your means is OK. Sportsman racing, at the Big T, is where he will race for the rest of his career. He will continue to get his Modified Racing fix as a spotter. We can’t wait to cheer him on at The Icebreaker!
Larry is a consummate professional on the race circuit, and is always there to lend advice and offer support to Nathan. His biggest piece of advice to Nathan is: “Remember to enjoy what you are doing now. ‘Moving up’ isn't the key to success; having fun is.” Larry leads by example, and we try to encourage Nathan to always follow that example. What has Nate learned from his Uncle Larry? Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams, to try something new, even when the tide is against you. It’s important to always try to do your best, to strive for improvement, but still be humble and a gentleman. Gracious in wins, gracious in losses: Be grateful for the experience. And we are very grateful that he is in our corner.
Photo credit: Kim Smith Barnett
