“Lil John” Provenzano, of Streator, liked cars and racing at a young age.

“I was 15 when I became interested in racing. I was helping my uncle, who raced, and decided I wanted to race, too.

“My dad was called 'Big John,' so that’s why they called me 'Lil John,' and it stuck over the years,” he said.

He explained how a little motor grease can get into your skin.

“Once racing is in your blood, it’s in your blood. I got my first taste as a teenager and it just became my life."

Provenzano has been involved with racing for 46 years. He has logged more than 500 feature wins, won 10 championships and holds many track records. He said he's also had the opportunity to travel all over the United States in the process.

Racing also has been a family experience.

“My wife and I traveled to all these different race tracks with our children over the years. The kids loved it, and most of them have raced as well.”

Provenzano has owned many cars of his own, and ran a local dealership. Next month, he will race a Nascar-sponsored 2018 Chevy Camping World Truck Series​ ​vehicle. The event takes place​ ​Wednesday,​ ​July 18, at Eldora Speedway in Ohio.

“The NASCAR sponsorship came about from Mike Affarano (who owns the truck), who watched me race as he was growing up. We recently met up at a racing event, and he knew I had the talent to get the job done and offered me the position,” Provenzano said.

The race will be be televised on Nascar.com.

“This is a camping world truck race on dirt, which they do once a year, and my specialty has always been on dirt. If everything goes well, we will be racing the Springfield mile and Du Quoin. My wife and children will all be there to support me.”