Whizzing around the dusty speedway, the bumper-to bumper pressure is on.

As the checkered flag comes down, the crew pit cheers; No. 20 has triumphed once again.

The undaunted driver doesn't let up until the car is off the track.

The driver races to remove gear -- it's been a hot one tonight. The helmet of race car driver No. 20 comes off, revealing a pony tail. The pony tail is attached to Sarah Koch.

In her second year of racing, Sarah has been in the lead all year, winning 22 out of 28 races.

Not bad for a 6-year-old.

For young racers like Sarah, racing a go-kart -- known as "karting" to those in the sport -- is the first step in a racer's career.

The sport is not cheap; a new kid kart with body runs around $2,200 and a new caged kart for other ages costs $3,500 to $5,000, depending on options. Then you have pit passes for the family, entrance fee for racing and a trailer and truck to haul everything and everyone around. And bigger cars, like micros and sprint cars, cost even more.

For the Koch family, the investment in racing is an investment in spending time as a family.

"We go as a family and see it as something to do as a family away from TV," Sarah's mother, Tricia Koch, said. "My nephew races at Selinsgrove so my brother and sister-in-law are there, too."

Sarah's father, Jason, mowed the Selinsgrove Speedway lawns as an early teen. "Jason also raced and holds five track championships at Greenwood Valley Action Track (near Millville) -- 96, 97, 98 in the Star class, and 99, 00 in lites," Tricia said.

While Jason works on Sarah's kart in the evenings, karting doesn't stop there for him. During the day, Jason works for Cliff Loss, owner of JC Specialties, a business that specializes in karts and kart parts. Loss' son, Cliff Jr., is Jason's brother-in-law. Cliff's wife (Jason's sister), Christa, is a former track queen, raced in the 90s and has an adult cage championship at GVAT.

Sarah's cousin just started racing this year in the kid karts at Selinsgrove.

For kids like Sarah, racing isn't just about putting the pedal to the medal. "I think she has learned quite a bit," Tricia said. "One thing I think she has learned is cause and effect -- if I do this then this will happen. She has also learned good sportsmanship and we encourage her to say good job' or give a high five to the winner."

Sarah will be in first grade at Buffalo Crossroads Elementary school in the Mifflinburg School district. She enjoys racing (any kind, even just watching), reading, being outside and the Disney movies "High School Musical" and "Camp Rock."

At the track, family ties are not uncommon.

Rick Tanner, York, a former micro sprint driver, now brings his 4-year-old son, Blaise, to drive karts on Friday nights. In his first year, Blaise has won 17 trophies.

The Walter Family, McClure, makes Selinsgrove Speedway a weekend tradition as well.

On Saturday nights brothers Mike and Phil Walter race sprint cars. On Friday nights both fathers join their sons at the track where Mike Jr. races micros and Phil Jr. races a kart.

"Our dad raced in the early 50s at Selinsgrove," Phil Sr. said, "He started racing karts."

For the Walters, racing is a sport that offers a place for all family members.

"It's unlike other sports where you have one coach. We can be here with our sons as coaches while at the same time participating and enjoying the sport," Phil Sr. said.

But the sport doesn't end on the weekend, because families generally spend evenings working together prepping their cars for next weekend's race.

"I know where my son is at all the time because he's with me," Phil Sr. said. "My wife, Lori, is there weekends, too, helping with karts and with my car on Saturdays." Lori is also in charge of shirt and hat design and sales.

Despite the reputation as a drinking sport, that sort of behavior stays in the stands. In the pits no alcohol is allowed.

"A lot of people don't realize that until they get inside," Phil Sr. said.

In the pits they are more like extended family.

"Other teams help each other out. We had problems the other night and other crew members came over to see if they could help us out.

"There is not as much at stake here as say NASCAR, but when we get out on the track we get down to business." Phil Sr. added.

For many families, like the Walters, racing is a hobby everyone in the family can enjoy, on and off the track.

"We get together with other teams and socialize off the track, too, which we really enjoy."

For racing families, putting family first is the real reward, while coming in first at the checked flag is merely a bonus.