Curtis Smith (drag racer)

Curtis Smith is a second-generation American semi-retired drag racer and one of the most accomplished sportsman competitors in the history of the sport. He is recognized as the all-time winningest IHRA Stock Eliminator driver and was crowned the 1996 IHRA Stock World Champion. Over a career spanning multiple decades, Smith won 17 IHRA and NHRA national events and 31 class victories, earning a reputation for consistent performance, technical skill, and innovation in car building and race preparation.

Smith began his national racing career in the early 1970s, driving a 1969 "Rag Top" Chevrolet Camaro J/Stocker. Early success came quickly, as he finished second in his first IHRA national event at Rockingham Dragway. He is best known for piloting his iconic “Hot Stuff” 1967 Chevrolet Camaro, which became synonymous with his racing career. In 1985, Smith made history as the first IHRA Sportsman driver to win three consecutive national events, a milestone that highlighted his dominance in Stock Eliminator racing.

Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Smith continued to rack up victories at major drag racing venues, including multiple wins at Bristol Dragway, Darlington Dragway, and Rockingham Dragway. His success in these events culminated in capturing the 1996 IHRA Stock Eliminator World Championship, further cementing his legacy in the sport.

In recognition of his achievements, Smith has been inducted into several halls of fame, including the North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame (2012), the East Coast Drag Racing Hall of Fame (2014, alongside Rick Hendrick), and the Sampson County Sports Hall of Fame (2014). Beyond his racing accomplishments, Smith has contributed to the sport through his expertise in building race cars and engines, passing on his knowledge to the next generation of racers, including his son, Curt Smith Jr.