CLOSE-UP
‘Tricky’ Rickie Smith
No End
in Sight
O
n the drag strip, “Tricky”
Rickie Smith, known for playing head games and going to
whatever length required to
win, is as fierce of a competitor
as the quarter- and eighth-mile
has ever known. Off the track,
though, the King, North Carolina-based living legend of
drag racing is kind of a softy – a proud father who loves to
talk about the successes of his children, his loving wife, his
kindhearted mother or wax poetic about his innumerable
racing accomplishments. “I take a lot of crap for getting so
emotional about things,” says Smith, who burns through
tissues during championship speeches at least twice as fast
as he does tires. “But I pour myself into this stuff, man –
blood, sweat and tears. Unless you’ve worked with me, you
might not know that and might not know how hard I work
on this deal and the hours that I put in and the stress that
comes with it. When I win, when I succeed and make a
good run, I enjoy it and I wear it on my shirtsleeve. I let
my emotions get to me – I do – but that’s just who I am.”
After a farewell tour in 2013 that ended with Smith
clinching his first NHRA Pro Mod world championship,
the hall of fame doorslammer driver decided to return and
defend his title. Not surprisingly, Smith was successful
in his quest, scoring his second consecutive title in 2014
along with career bests in E.T. and speed, and very little
mention of retirement. He followed up with a Professional
Drag Racers Association Pro Nitrous world championship
in 2015. For someone whose winning ways date back to
the early ‘70s, it’s not surprising that the decision to call
it a day and ride off into the sunset has been a tough one.
“Not everyone understands how much of an honor it is to
be able to do this and to try and make a living doing what
you love to do,” says Smith, who will turn 63 this Christmas. “It’s a lot of hard work just to show up, let alone for
somebody like me who wants to run at the front. But that
is what makes it so rewarding. That’s what keeps you going.”
The work has never been an issue for Smith, who has
long since taken solace in having his hands in everything –
from driving the truck and setting up