"Cigar Earl" Smith

Founder / Patriarch

Earl “Cigar Earl” Smith laid the foundation for what would become one of the most respected racing families in the Southeast. His national racing journey began in February 1957, when he and childhood friend Bobby Warren traveled to Daytona Beach, Florida, to watch the NASCAR races on the sand and compete in their first NHRA national event at nearby Flagler Beach Airport. Driving his brand-new 1957 Chevrolet, Earl’s passion for performance quickly turned into a lifelong pursuit of speed.

Through the late 1950s and 1960s, Earl built his reputation racing Chevrolets—especially the powerful 409 engine, which became his signature. Partnering with Junior Lundy of Lundy Packing Company, Earl campaigned some of his most iconic cars, including a 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air Bubble Top that became a crowd favorite. His skill behind the wheel and his ever-present cigar earned him the nickname “Cigar Earl,” a title that followed him across tracks and decades.

During the 1970s, Earl qualified for the NHRA World Finals in Amarillo, Texas, an opportunity that placed him among the sport’s elite. Though he couldn’t attend due to family and work obligations, his accomplishments on the NHRA and IHRA circuits continued to grow. Driving lighter, faster Camaros, Earl set multiple World Speed and Elapsed Time Records and earned numerous IHRA Stock Class victories.

More than just a racer, Earl was a builder and mentor. His mechanical skill and attention to detail produced some of the fastest and most reliable cars on the circuit. He passed that knowledge on to his son, Curtis Smith, who would go on to become the IHRA’s all-time winningest Stock Eliminator driver, continuing the Smith legacy of excellence.

Earl’s final national event came in 2003, at the age of 73, but his influence never faded. He continued building engines, helping young drivers, and cheering on the next generations of Smith racers.

Today, Earl’s spirit lives on through his son Curtis, grandson Curt Smith Jr., and great-grandson Curtis Smith III. The Smith name remains a symbol of family, craftsmanship, and passion for drag racing, a legacy that began with one man, one car, and one unforgettable cigar.