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Von Smith - Big Things Will Happen at Darlington

DARLINGTON, SC-- During the IHRA Awards Banquet in January, Oak Ridge, Tn., based Alcohol Funny Car driver Von Smith and his crew enjoyed one of their most memorable evenings. The two-time class champion was presented his second world championship ...

Edited: May 8, 2001, 12:19 PM

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DARLINGTON, SC-- During the IHRA Awards Banquet in January, Oak Ridge, Tn., based Alcohol Funny Car driver Von Smith and his crew enjoyed one of their most memorable evenings. The two-time class champion was presented his second world championship and crewchief Howard Moon garnered the Snap-On Tools "Wrench Of The Year" accolades for his wrenching prowess. Little did they know that their night of fortunes made them two of the most wanted entities in alcohol flopper competition.

"Well, we have the bullseye painted clearly on our chests," proclaimed Smith, who also claimed the 1997 championship. "We enjoyed our best season in 1998 and clearly have every intention of improving it. I have a solid crew and I'm focused on my job as a driver. I can't wait until the season starts. You will hear big news out of our camp at Darlington. I promise that."

The former Top Dragster standout plans to test in Darlington, S.C., the week prior to the Prolong Winter Nationals. He hopes to gain the same momentum that he enjoyed at the conclusion of the 1998 season, when he reached seven final rounds. Smith won five national events during the course of the season. His most recent appearance came the 1998 World Finals in Shreveport, La., when he proclaimed to the world his newfound alliance with Big Daddy's BBQ Sauces & Spices for the upcoming 1999 season.

Smith plans to open his championship defense with his Big Daddy's-backed Pontiac at the IHRA Prolong Winter Nationals in Darlington, S.C., March 12-14. Smith, along with each Pro Alcohol Funny Car contestant, will be afforded four qualifying runs during the course of the event and the quickest sixteen entries will compete in final eliminations on Sunday. This event will be televised on ESPN2 with the dates TBA in an upcoming issue of the IHRA's Drag Review magazine.

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