THE STORY OF WILL "THE THRILL" SMITH

  Will’s passion in life has always been drag racing. Although new to the Top Fuel Pilot’s seat, Smith is no stranger to the driver’s seat or having success in the sport.

His drag racing career started over 24 years ago in the NHRA Junior Drag Racing League at the age of 8. After spending a decade in Junior’s Smith went on to license in NHRA Super Comp and Super Gas through Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School. In 2017, he upgraded his NHRA license to Top Alcohol Dragster and began driving the famed Hirata Motorsports A/Fuel Dragster. Smith and Team Hirata were successful in their endeavors, gaining two #1 qualifiers, an NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Regional win, and finishing 3rd in the NHRA North Central Region in 2019 and 2020.
 

In the Spring of 2022, outside of Team Hirata, Smith hopped in Robin Samsel’s car for a one-race deal at the ‘Baby Gators’. He qualified 2nd, took home the win and the coveted Wally.

Smith earned his Top Fuel license in the Fall of 2022, under the guidance of 3x NHRA Top Fuel world Champion, Larry Dixon, and went on to make his professional Top Fuel debut at the NHRA US Nationals.   After falling just short of making the record field in 2022, the two came back to Indy one year later and qualified for the prestigious US Nationals, giving will his first Race Day start in Top Fuel.