1962

By 1962, Earl Smith had proven himself both behind the wheel and under the hood. That year marked a major turning point when Earl teamed up with his best friend and local businessman, Junior Lundy, to form the Smith & Lundy Drag Racing Team.

Junior arrived with a serious commitment to go racing—a brand-new 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe. Under the hood sat Chevrolet’s feared 409-cubic-inch engine, topped with dual four-barrel carburetors, a combination that instantly put the car among the heavy hitters of the day. It was the kind of machine that demanded knowledge, patience, and respect.

Earl tuned, built, and set up the Bel Air, constantly refining it to meet the demands of multiple classes. The car appeared in Junior Stock trim one weekend, then returned in Stock or Super Stock configuration the next. Gear changes, carburetor tuning, suspension tweaks, and engine adjustments became routine as Earl searched for every advantage the rulebook would allow.

With Junior providing the backing and Earl delivering both driving skill and mechanical expertise, the partnership clicked almost immediately. Earl drove the 409-powered Chevrolet with confidence, launching hard and charging through the traps while competitors took notice. Win or lose, the Smith & Lundy Bel Air was fast, consistent, and always a threat.

Before long, the team’s reputation spread throughout the Carolinas.

Wherever they unloaded, racers knew they were lining up against one of the premier Chevrolet 409 teams in the region. The combination of friendship, trust, and shared ambition turned Smith & Lundy into more than just a team—it became a standard of how to do it right.

In 1962, the foundation was set. The Smith & Lundy Drag Racing Team had arrived, powered by Chevrolet muscle and driven by a partnership built to last.