National Tire & Battery to Sponsor Mike Smith and Paul Richards Racing in Epping
WEST PALM BEACH, FL: Veteran Nitro Funny Car tuner, driver and long-time drag racing school instructor, Mike Smith, will return to competition at the upcoming IHRA North American Nationals at fabled New England Dragway, August 10-12.
In addition to making the critical tuning decisions, Smith will also be driving the 325-mph Camaro that Paul Lee drove during the beginning of the season.
"It's something I've been waiting to do again for a long time," said Smith exuberantly, as he prepared for testing. The Paul Richards team will test the car prior to going to Epping, where they'll make the official debut of the National Tire & Battery Paul Richards Racing Nitro Funny Car.
"We've received plenty of help from our friends along the way and things have finally come together," said team owner/manger Paul Richards.
Smith, an exceptional mechanic who has literally been raised at the drag strip, has a reputation for operating very competitive racecars despite working with a small budget. He last drove Richards back-up Funny Car this past March in San Antonio (3.429 @ 209.10 mph in an eight-mile squirt). He also has a Top Fuel iron man on his mantle, winning the IHRA race in Cayuga in 1992 by defeating Doug Herbert.
In addition to the mechanical skills he learned from his father, Hall-of-Fame racer, Paul Smith, Mike boosts a healthy racing resume of his own. As an instructor at his father's drag racing school Mike has been instrumental in launching the driving careers of future stars such as Clay Millican, Phil Burkart, Jeff Arend, and Cristen Powell, to name a few.
After teaching countless mechanics the fundamentals of fuel racing, Smith is eager to race again. "I'm excited to get back behind the wheel but I really want our friends from NTB to understand what a great marketing opportunity we can offer them in drag racing. And … of course I want to win," he said with a smile.
In addition to support from National Tire & Battery, the Richards Racing team will also receive additional associate support from All Pro Pools and Exotic Signs.
