Rickie Smith Inducted as one of the Inaugural Legends of Thunder Valley

Sunday afternoon before the final round at Bristol Motor Speedway the four legends were honored as the inaugural class of the Legends of Thunder Valley.

The four were as follows: the NHRA founder Wally Parks; Larry Carrier, who built Bristol Dragway; "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, named the best driver in the history of NHRA; and your very own Skull Gear/Torco Race Fuels sponsored driver, Rickie Smith, who has more Bristol wins than any other driver.
No racecar driver has experienced the type of success that Pro Stock/Pro Mod racer Smith did at Bristol in the 1980s and 1990s while running in many IHRA-sanctioned events. Smith's first Bristol win was at the 1980 Summer Nationals, after that he won eight more times, including his last win in the Pro Modified class.

All were honored as banners hung from the back of the grandstands and their names were permanently affixed to the top of the suites that sit atop the grandstands.

“This is by far the greatest accomplishment ever in my career,” said Smith. “I have raced a lot of cars and have won many races and many championships, but this is the first time I have ever actually been honored for my accomplishments. To be associated with the caliber of people that I was honored with is unreal. I mean, Larry Carrier, without him Bristol would have never happened. Wally Parks, without him there would be no NHRA and Don Garlits, the man who started it all. The greatest driver there is. I am very thankful to be among these great men”