Racing column: Joey Zambotti III has gone from motocross to Lernerville Speedway stock car fan favorite
In the heart of our community, Joey Zambotti III has become a popular name.
Known for his daring maneuvers on the racetrack and his flamboyant neon-colored stock car, Zambotti's journey to local stardom is one of passion, resilience and unwavering determination.
Zambotti’s love for speed began on two wheels at age 3. He made his mark on dirt bike and motocross racing, earning a reputation as a fierce competitor by winning a lot of races. However, as you get older, the speed gets faster. His promising career on the dirt Pro Motocross circuit was eventually cut short due to a handful of broken bones and a series of concussions.
“It seemed like every time I fell, my head would take the impact. So, I took a year off and started to re-evaluate everything,” he said. “You know, like you have a business to run. Sometimes you have to grow up and realize your health is important.”
The injuries forced him to step away from the sport he loved, but they couldn't dampen his racing spirit.
Transitioning from two wheels to four, including a protective roll cage, Zambotti found a new adrenaline rush in stock car racing in 2012. He quickly adapted, bringing the same intensity and skill that made him a standout in Motocross by winning the Lernerville Speedway “Rookie of the Year Award.”
His Pro Stock racer, painted in vibrant hot pink and neon yellow colors, soon became a fan favorite, easily spotted as it zoomed around the track. He eventually used his professional dirt track Motocross license number 948 as his stock car number.
Beyond the racetrack, Zambotti is a dedicated business owner. He runs the successful Zambotti Collision Center in Kittanning, where his expertise in vehicles extends beyond just driving them fast. The center has earned a reputation for quality work and customer satisfaction, mirroring the meticulous attention to detail Zambotti applies to his racing.
Joey and wife Nicole have three children: Joey IV (8 years old), Cole (5) and Joycelyn (3). He helped coach his son’s little league baseball team and is supportive in whatever sport they like.
Every win for Zambotti is not just a personal victory, but a celebration for his fans. He climbs the fence at the end of each triumphant race, a tradition that has become a signature move, thrilling spectators and solidifying his status as a local hero.
“I have met so many wonderful people at Lernerville that are like family and go that extra mile — Helen Bauman, Eric Westendorf and the late Ralph Engel. The announcer Dow Carnahan was one of my favorite people. I was the last person he interviewed before he passed,” Zambotti said. “After I climbed the fence, Dow said let’s do our meeting below the flag stand instead of victory lane.”
Zambotti’s pit crew that has helped him win about 30 races consists of his father and former Pure Stock driver Joey Zambotti Jr.; his mom, Karen; Mike Keirn; Julian Poirier; Branden Hill; Craig Thickey and Matt. Assist Services and GM Performance are a big help to the team. His other hobby is hot rods and restoring old cars.
Zambotti’s story is one of overcoming adversity and finding new ways to pursue one's passion. From the early days of motorbike racing to the high-speed world of stock cars, his journey continues to inspire. With each race, he not only chases victory, but also the thrill that has driven him since he first got on a bike.
For years, his pap had a sign hanging in the shop and he has those words on the dash in every car. “For what shall it profit a man that he should gain the whole world, but lose his own soul.”
“This keeps me humble and grounded,” Zambotti said. “What you do and how you carry yourself off the track is far greater than what you accomplish on the track.”
The Lernerville Firecracker week was a huge success. Ricky Thornton Jr. of Martinsville, Indiana, became the first driver to win the 100-lap Super Late Model race two years in a row, collecting $50,000 by defeating Devin Moran. Tyler Wyatt, Michael Norris, Colton Flinner, Tyler Dietz, John Garvin Jr. and Ken Schaltenbrand were the local drivers in the race. Wyatt had the best finish with 14th place.
The 50-lap Bill Emig Memorial RUSH Crate Late Model feature was won by Dave Hess Jr., who garnered $20,000 for the big win.
Carol Gamble is a racing columnist for the Butler Eagle
