Curt Smith Jr.

Co-Owner/Driver

A third-generation racer, Curt Smith Jr. grew up surrounded by horsepower, history, and the unmistakable sound of Chevrolet engines built by his father and grandfather. The son of IHRA World Champion Curtis Smith and the grandson of Earl “Cigar Earl” Smith, Curt Jr. was destined to continue one of the most respected legacies in sportsman drag racing.

In the 2010s, Curt Jr. began his driving career behind the wheel of his father’s legendary Chevrolet Stock Eliminator car. Competing in the Carolina Class Racers Association (CCRA), he quickly proved himself as a consistent and competitive driver, finishing in the Top 10 in series points twice — in 2013 and again in 2019.

Following in the family tradition of building and racing their own cars, Curt Jr. acquired a new Chevrolet in the late 2010s to replace his grandfather’s original Shakedown, which was lost in a shop fire. Fittingly named “Shakedown 2,” the car became the next chapter in the Smith racing story.

The 2020s marked Curt Jr.’s breakout decade. He started strong with a runner-up finish at the CCRA Thanksgiving Classic at Coastal Plains Dragway, before securing his first career win at the same track in 2023. That same year, he pulled off a remarkable feat — winning two races in one weekend at Darlington Dragway. His momentum continued with a Quarterfinal finish at the NHRA Lucas Oil Divisional at Rockingham Dragway.

Despite missing two events, Curt Jr. finished second overall in CCRA season points for 2023, and his impressive progress earned him the Most Improved Driver Award at the year-end CCRA banquet.

Representing the third generation of Smith racers, Curt Jr. blends the technical precision of his father with the grit and determination of his grandfather. He continues to race under the Curtis Smith Racing banner, honoring the legacy built before him while forging his own path on the dragstrip.

The Smith family story now extends into a fourth generation with the birth of Curtis Smith III — ensuring that the Smith name, and its unmatched tradition in drag racing, will continue for years to come.