Judging by their expressions, the children in Scotch Plains’ summer day camp were thrilled with their Thursday activity.

The children, ages 5 to 11, were treated to a lesson in short track racing in Brookside Park. New Jersey short track racers Christopher Allen Jr. and Stefanie Palmai were on hand to answer the kids’ questions and allow them to examine two race cars.

Some of the 60 kids lined up for autographs from the two drivers, while others peered into the race cars or got a lift into the driver’s seat by Allen’s father. 

Both Allen and Palmai are the third generation of auto racers in their families. Allen, 18, of Old Bridge, NJ, has been racing since he was five years old, and Palmai, 17, of Allentown, NJ, has been racing since she was 10 or 11.

“I’ve got some years on her,” Allen said jokingly.

Allen won two championships last year, while Palmai is currently the points leader at Airport Speedway in Delaware.

The idea for the visit to Scotch Plains’ day camp was conceived by recreation department secretary Jana Giannicci, whose husband, Anthony, is friends with the cars’ owner, John Malik.

The two cars on display were Allen’s ¾ Midget, which he usually races in Providence, RI, and Atlantic City, and his #71 big-block modified car, which runs at New Egypt Speedway in New Jersey.

The local kids may not have been familiar with Allen and Palmai before meeting them, or even with short track racing, but they all excitedly waved their checkered flags and posed with the drivers for a group picture.