LATEST NEWS

For as long as Will Smith can remember, he has wanted to drive a Top Fuel dragster. That ambition finally became reality Thursday when Smith was announced as a full-time Top Fuel driver for the Bluebird Turf-backed operation, a milestone reached quietly and without spectacle.

The announcement came via a brief, four-sentence press release confirming Smith as the driver of the Bluebird Turf Top Fuel dragster. For Smith, that understated reveal fit his personality and the way he has navigated a three-decade pursuit of the sport’s quickest and fastest category.

Smith did not celebrate publicly or amplify the news himself on social media. He spent much of the day sidelined by a medical procedure that left him disconnected while the racing world reacted on his behalf.

“It still doesn’t seem real,” Smith said. “I’m just so thankful to have this opportunity to work with such a great team, great organization, great people, and represent the Bluebird Turf and Scag brands.”

Smith said the timing of the announcement was almost surreal given the circumstances surrounding it. The news reached the public while he was in recovery, leaving him to process the response afterward.

“Yeah, I had to have a procedure done the other day, and [team owner] Randy [Gloede] reached out to me the night before and wished me well with everything and said, ‘Hey, by the way, we’re going to put our announcement out in the morning,’” Smith said. “And so I’m sure your phone will be blown up by the time you wake back up the next morning and after surgery, and that’s exactly what happened.”

He said the response took days to absorb. “So I’ve been playing catch-up for days. It has just been so overwhelming to receive all of the congratulatory and encouraging texts and calls and emails,” Smith said. “Man, I’m just so blessed and so thankful for everyone.”

Smith’s understated reaction was no surprise to those who know him. He has long preferred a work-first approach, keeping his focus on preparation rather than promotion.

“Very much so,” Smith said when asked if the quiet reaction reflected his style. “This has been over a 30-year dream and it’s been such a long journey.”

That journey included periods when Smith questioned whether the opportunity would ever come. He said persistence mattered more than visibility as he navigated a sport known for humbling even the most accomplished competitors.

“I had my doubts at times that I would ever get an opportunity like this,” Smith said. “But I like to keep my head down and keep working because drag racing is a very humbling sport.”

Smith’s résumé reflects that approach. He raced Top Alcohol Dragster, pieced together part-time Top Fuel outings, worked as a marketing director within the sport, and often served double duty as both driver and crew member.

The opportunity materialized through a text message from team owner Randy Gloede, who told Smith the organization was assembling a second Top Fuel team. The message carried immediate weight.

“Well, I received a text message from Randy a couple weeks ago and told me that they were putting together a second Top Fuel team and there was a lot of interest in having me drive it,” Smith said. “And my plans were still up in the air at that moment of what I was going to try to do for this year.”

Smith said the offer aligned with his values. He emphasized that team culture and shared priorities mattered as much as the seat itself.

“One thing about Scag Racing and all of Scag and through Turf, all their brands, all their companies, culture is very important to them as it is me,” Smith said. “It just seemed like a perfect mutual fit from both sides.”

Smith acknowledged that his name is not commonly mentioned among the usual Top Fuel driver candidates, largely because of the path he took to stay involved in the sport. Limited funding often forced him to balance driving with mechanical and business responsibilities.

“That was exactly the thought I had,” Smith said when asked if he questioned whether the offer was truly meant for him. “Because I’ve always struggled to have the funding and the resources needed to really excel and compete at the top level.”

Smith said he compensated by working wherever he could. That included wrenching on his own equipment, helping teams between events, and building relationships through professional reliability rather than self-promotion.

“Usually when I drive, I’m working on the car as well,” Smith said. “So I’ve never had time to really self-promote like I probably needed to, even though it’s not really my style.”

He believes that background left some fans unfamiliar with his résumé, even if those inside the pits understood it well. Smith said his focus remained on being prepared when an opportunity finally appeared.

“There are a lot of people I don’t think that are very familiar with me,” Smith said. “But that’s really because I just been working behind the scenes.”

Smith confirmed that the role represents a full-time driving position rather than a pay-to-race arrangement. He acknowledged the distinction quietly, without emphasizing it publicly.

The structure of the deal carries a sense of nostalgia for Smith. He views it as a reminder of an era when persistence and contribution sometimes mattered more than immediate funding.

“I do feel there’s a sense of nostalgia here with how this opportunity came about,” Smith said. “I’m definitely old school.”

Smith described a belief system built on work ethic rather than expectation. He said his approach centered on being useful in every capacity possible.

“The only hope I felt like I had was just work as hard as you can behind the scenes, work the business side, work the mechanical side, the driving side,” Smith said. “And hopefully create a personal brand that people and companies want to invest in.”

That philosophy carried him through years of uncertainty. Smith said the result validated the effort, even if it took longer than anticipated.

“By taking the approach I have and doing the things I have along the way, I think has obviously really made this possible,” Smith said.

Smith also acknowledged the humor that comes with sharing a name with a Hollywood star. He said the association has become a conversation starter rather than an annoyance.

“I do tell people, I said, ‘I am the real Will Smith,’” he said. “People don’t forget your name.”

Smith said his marketing background helped him understand the value of recognition, even when it arrived unintentionally. He believes that familiarity can open doors, even if the context is unexpected.

“Usually when they meet you or you introduce yourself to them, that name has helped me build relationships,” Smith said. “People remember who I am, ironically.”

On the track, Smith will join a lineup that includes established Top Fuel and Funny Car competitors. He said the environment brings both motivation and accountability.

Smith will be teammates with Justin Ashley, along with Daniel Wilkerson and Dave Richards. He called the group representative of the professionalism he values.

“I’m just so thankful for the opportunity,” Smith said. “We got some great people involved here.”

Racing alongside Ashley carries personal significance for Smith. The two have been friends for years, and Smith said the pairing strengthens the team competitively.

“Justin and I have been friends a long time and they don’t get any better than Justin,” Smith said. “I’m really excited to be racing with him and Top Fuel together.”

Smith hinted at confidence on the starting line, noting his reputation as a strong leaver. He believes the shared data and collaboration will benefit the entire program.

“I’ve been known to be a pretty good leaver,” Smith said. “So I feel like between Justin and myself, us being on the same team, I think is huge.”

For Smith, the job represents both arrival and responsibility. After 30 years of preparation, the focus now shifts to execution, where he believes the work will finally speak for itself.

By Bobby Bennett / CompetitionPlus.com