The late-season NHRA Divisional at Rockingham Dragway brought together some of the toughest sportsman racers in the region. For Curt Smith Jr., it was a weekend circled on the calendar, an opportunity to finish the year strong and build momentum heading into the off-season.

The team rolled through the gates Friday evening with confidence. Smith Jr. laid down clean, competitive passes that put the team in a comfortable position on the ladder heading into Sunday eliminations.

But racing has a way of reminding even the most prepared teams that nothing is guaranteed.

A Strong Start Turns Sudden

When eliminations began, the energy in the lanes was high. Smith Jr. strapped in with full focus, knowing that every round mattered. The burnout was crisp, the car sounded healthy, and the launch looked picture-perfect — exactly what the team wanted to see.

Then, everything changed in a split second.

As the car transitioned from first to second gear, the transmission suddenly slipped. What felt like a smooth, aggressive pass instantly turned into a moment of concern. The car lost its forward charge, the RPM flared, and Smith Jr. knew immediately something inside the transmission had let go. It was a disappointing end, especially after such a strong start to the event. The combination had been working well, the preparation was thorough, and the car showed potential to make a real run on Sunday. But in motorsports — especially in Stock and Super Stock racing — even the smallest mechanical issue can change everything.

Challenges like this are part of the sport, and Curt Smith Jr. and the team have faced them before. What matters is how quickly you bounce back — and if history is any indicator, the next outing will be even stronger.

As always, the team appreciates the continued support from fans, fellow racers, and everyone who follows along on this journey.

The season may be wrapping up — but the determination to come back stronger is just getting started.