By Cheryl Licklider, Commentary

Despite the fact Mark Smith started competing at Enid Speedway Park over a month into the season, his phenomenal run puts him into contention to seize the coveted season points crown.

With only two points left in the season, Smith heads up the pure stock points chase with a 37-point advantage over James Goldman Jr.

Smith has reached victory lane eight times this year and feels good about his shot at the championship.

“As long as I finish good next week, I think I’ll be all right,” said Smith. “I really just came out here to have fun and didn’t intend to chase points.”

Though he has been chasing checkered flags for eight years and posted 20 “A” feature wins, Smith has never captured a championship title.

He came close several times sitting in contention on the final point night, only to settle for a second- or third-place finish. His racing career started in mini stocks and includes successful stints in most of the track’s divisions.

As a rookie in modified division last season, he amazed himself with a third-place finish overall and two “A” feature wins.

“I never really thought I’d be able to win a feature in modified,” said Smith. “I was shocked when I came out and won the second modified feature of my life last year. That is the win that I’ll never forget, it was an amazing experience.”

Smith and his racing partners decided to try their luck running mini sprints at Oklahoma City this season.

Early in the year, teammate Kenny Adams rolled violently, breaking both his neck and back. The accident put a damper on their experience. Smith said they ran for a few more weeks but found the long haul both tiring and expensive.

“We started talking about going back to Enid to race pure stocks,” said Smith. “We thought it would be fun, but were afraid that people would make fun of us for stepping down. We decided to try it and I’m glad. This class is a blast. In fact, this is the most fun I’ve had racing in a long time. These cars are just like the old factory stocks we used to race.”

Smith said his venture into the modified division last season was fun but costly. He blew five motors at an estimated cost of $10,000 to $15,000 each. Smith said the pressure has been taken away in his return to the pure stock class.

“You can even total a car in this class and it is not a big deal,” Smith said. “I’ve had an amazing time, even though everyone thinks I’m cheating. I can honestly say that I think everything on this car is 100 percent legal. Of course, I’d probably say the same thing if somebody else had won eight features this year.”

Smith’s No. 3 Chevy was built five years ago by Mark Glenn and Marty Wilson. It is powered by a Dunsworth Machine motor.

“Dunsworth builds a heck of a pure stock motor,” Smith said. “They make it legal but it will certainly run. They’ve done a lot for us.”

Smith’s sponsors include Speedtech Automotive, The Rocket 104.7 FM, Mike Hoffman Photography, Dirt Performance and Smith’s mother, Linda and her husband, Gene.

Pit crew members include Troy Martin, Willis Adams, Kenny Adams and racing teammates Joe Adams, Korey Vendetti, and brother, Michael Smith.

“We all help each other with our cars,” Smith said. “We have a blast racing together. But I couldn’t be out here without the support of my wife Claire and my four children.”



Licklider is the News & Eagle’s racing writer.