1996

Curtis Smith showed no signs of slowing down in 1996, continuing one of the most dominant seasons of his career.

Building on his early momentum, Curtis captured Stock Eliminator at the IHRA Presidents Cup Nationals at Budds Creek Raceway in Maryland. Against a deep field of top-tier competitors, he delivered a composed, mistake-free performance, charging through the rounds and sealing another major national event victory.

That win proved to be the turning point of the season. With the Presidents Cup triumph, Curtis propelled himself to the IHRA World Championship, capping off a year defined by consistency, confidence, and championship-level execution.

In 1996, Curtis Smith didn’t just win races—he completed a championship run, adding another prestigious title to an already legendary career.