Gamble: Jeremy Kornbau races with heart, humor and a whole lot of fun
“Boys just wanna have fun!” could easily be the motto of 24-year-old Jeremy Kornbau and his 305 Sprint Car race team.
With roots deeply embedded in Pennsylvania’s rich racing soil, it’s no surprise Kornbau found his way to the track. Racing runs in his blood. His grandfather, Jim Semerad, raced the No. 27 Sprint Car at Tri-City, Mercer and Lernerville from 1971-77. The Semerad family, including Jim’s brothers and father, all played roles in keeping the car competitive.
Fast forward to 2014, when Jeremy’s brother Evan took a turn behind the wheel for two years. When Evan stepped away, Jeremy climbed in. Though his only experience was half a season of go-karting at Slippery Rock, Kornbau was eager to learn.
“When I jumped into it, I didn’t know anything,” Jeremy said. “I was pretty green. I didn’t do very well for a while. It took patience to get used to everything.”
That patience paid off. Jeremy has since amassed 18 feature victories and built a team that thrives on fun, camaraderie and determination.
Kornbau isn’t one for superstitions or race-day rituals.
“Whatever happens, happens. I really don’t do anything — I’m really relaxed on a race day,” he said. “We’re going for fun and enjoyment.”
Helping make that fun possible is crew chief Gary Edwards, a former Sprint Car driver with an impressive resume. The team also includes crew members Cole Peterson and Kevin Davis, with sponsorship from Jerry’s Auto Service — a lineup Jeremy proudly calls a “super squad.”
In the early days, the operation was a family affair. Jeremy’s mother, Denise Dellinger, and his grandfather were the only ones helping. Denise was also the team’s biggest fan and T-shirt saleswoman.
“When I first came to the track, I had to find someone to run the four-wheeler and push me out — until Mom learned how to run it,” he said, laughing.
Jeremy found inspiration watching legendary drivers like Jac Haudenschild, known as “The Wild Child,” and Ricky Peterson, who has even driven Jeremy’s car to victory. Although Peterson is from Ohio, the two became friends through Facebook and now share a close bond.
When he’s not racing, Jeremy works for Blackshear Brothers Trucking and said: “I’m 24 and have nothing to do but spend money on racing.”
His friends gave him the nickname “Korndog,” which has stuck ever since. Despite the nickname, his food of choice? Chile dogs, a staple near his hometown of New Castle. “If I had a choice, I would eat Chile dogs all day long,” he said.
Off the track, Kornbau enjoys bowling in the winter, golfing in the summer and watching every Sprint Car race he can catch on TV.
As for the future? Kornbau keeps things realistic.
“Everyone dreams of going bigger, but financially we’re just a ‘stay-around’ team. We’ll keep doing what we’ve been doing and having fun — running the Allegheny Sprint Tour at Lernerville, Mercer or Pittsburgh.”
The 2024 Big Block Modified “Rookie of the Year” Adrian Cipriani is pulling double duty, balancing his racing career while studying engineering at Penn State-Behrend.
At the Lernerville Banquet, Pro Stock Champion Christian Schneider shared a heartfelt moment: “I learned a lot about racing from my boss, Chris Schneider. But I learned more about being a man.”
Siblings Vivian and Roman Jones continue to impress in their Racesaver 305 Sprints, even as they battle with 410 Sprint competitors. Vivian recently held fourth in a feature before champion driver Carl Bowser passed her, and younger brother Roman overtook her as well, finishing ahead. Vivian still leads Roman in overall 305 victories. Their father, Rod Jones, was a successful Micro Sprint driver with experience in both 305 and 410 divisions.
And in the Fast on Dirt Sprint Car Series, Ricky Peterson Jr. holds the points lead over Michael Bauer by 49 points. Piloting the No. 98 Chiapelli Motorsports entry, Peterson has two feature wins this season, both at Tri-City Speedway. Longtime racing duo Tom and Fran Chiapelli believe their driver has what it takes to win the championship.
Jack Crowell, a familiar face to fans at Lernerville Speedway, marked his 83rd birthday Saturday surrounded by family and friends at the Blue Haven. Crowell and his employer, #1 Cochran, have been a fixture at the track for half a century. He affectionately earned the nickname, “The Mayor of Lernerville.” His dedication and enthusiasm for the sport have made him a beloved figure among drivers, fans and staff alike.
Catherine Ann “Kate” Blaney, 87, died July 14, 2025. Kate was the devoted wife of the late Lou Blaney, a Hall of Fame Modified and Sprint Car driver whose racing legacy is etched in local and national dirt track history. A graduate of Kent State University, Kate taught second grade in the Ohio area before dedicating her time to co-owning Blaney Lumber and Sharon Speedway alongside her husband.
Known for her energetic spirit and unwavering work ethic, Kate played an integral role in both her family’s business and the racing world. Her life was a testament to commitment, family and community.
Carol Gamble is a racing columnist for the Butler Eagle
