1985

In 1985, Curtis Smith delivered one of the most remarkable seasons in IHRA history.

That year, Curtis rewrote the record books, becoming the first IHRA Sportsman driver ever to win three national events in a row. From the opening race of the season, he was untouchable. Curtis won the first three IHRA national events, putting together a streak that the sport had never seen and establishing himself as the standard everyone else was chasing.

During that stretch, Curtis was widely recognized as the hottest drag racer in the nation. His combination of sharp reaction times, consistent performance, and calm under pressure made him nearly unbeatable. Every round mattered, and Curtis delivered when it counted most.

Despite the historic run, the season ended with a tough reality. Curtis narrowly missed winning the IHRA World Championship, not due to performance, but because he was unable to enter one national event. Family and work obligations kept him from earning the necessary entry points, leaving him just short of a title that many felt was well within reach.

Even without the championship, 1985 stood as a defining year. Curtis Smith didn’t just win races—he changed IHRA history, set a new benchmark for excellence, and solidified his legacy as one of the elite sportsman racers of his era.