Will Smith wrapped up the 2025 season not knowing exactly what his 2026 season would look like. After hoisting an IHRA Ironman in Top Alcohol Dragster over the summer and making his Nitro Funny Car debut to close out the season, Smith had established himself as a proven wheelman in the nitro ranks. Randy Gloede and the folks at SCAG Racing took notice of Smith’s initiative on and off the track over the last several years, and now Smith’s 2026 outlook is clear. He’s set to run his first-ever full NHRA Mission Foods Series season as the driver of the new Bluebird Turf Top Fuel dragster.
Smith, who earned his Top Fuel license in 2022 driving Larry Dixon’s dragster, will drive what is now the fourth nitro entry out of the SCAG Racing stable, joining Justin Ashley in Top Fuel and Daniel Wilkerson and Dave Richards in Funny Car. Glen Huszar will serve as crew chief, and the Bluebird Turf Top Fuel team will work closely with Ashley, crew chief Tommy DeLago, and the SCAG Power Equipment Top Fuel team.
“It was a life-changing text from Randy, that’s for sure,” Smith said the day after SCAG Racing announced the new program on Jan. 8. “It still doesn’t seem real. I’m still pinching myself. To know that I have a full-time ride with a great team of drivers, great team of individuals, a great organization, it just doesn’t seem real. The one goal I had in life was to drive a Top Fuel car full-time and make a career out of it. This is that opportunity that I’ve worked for and prayed for my whole life, and now it’s finally happening. I think when we pull into Gainesville, that’s when everything will sink in.”
Smith has been preparing for this opportunity for years. His driving resume includes a four-year stretch in the Hirata Motorsports A/Fuel dragster before his Top Fuel licensing with Dixon. He made his debut at the 2022 NHRA U.S. Nationals, where he was one of the 10 drivers who didn’t make the field. He returned a year later and qualified for the Big Go. Most recently, he ran a few races driving Luigi Novelli’s Top Fuel dragster. He’s driven for and crewed for the Samsel family in NHRA and IHRA Top Alcohol Dragster as well, winning in both series. Smith also earned his Funny Car license with Paul Smith early in 2025, and he put it to use in November when he made his Funny Car debut at the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series season finale driving for Mark Herzhauser.
I wanted to hold both licenses to be as versatile as possible for any opportunities that may arise,” Smith said. “I’m willing and able and have the desire to drive anything that burns nitro.”
Beyond the opportunity to race Top Fuel on a full-time basis, Smith is fired up about the chance to work with the whole SCAG Racing team. As a longtime marketing specialist in the sport, he recognizes that Gloede has put together a special program with the SCAG Power Equipment and Bluebird Turf teams, which host hundreds of employees, customers, and retailers throughout the NHRA season.
“I’m just I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to be a part of SCAG Racing and work for Randy [Gloede] and Maria [Oldenburg] and their whole team,” Smith said. “As it says on all their cars, their employees make the difference. I’m just so happy to be a part of an American-made brand, and we share the same core values. People are most important, and I’m just really excited to represent their organization and to work with the talented roster of drivers, crew chiefs, and crew members.”
Smith pointed out that he wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for the long list of supporters and mentors who played a part in his career to this point.
“I definitely want to thank the ‘band of brothers’ – that’s everyone who’s helped me along the way and they all know who they are,” Smith said. “They helped me through the Top Alcohol ranks and when Larry Dixon and I started racing Top Fuel together. I want to thank Tommy and Judy Franklin with the PDRA for the job they’ve given me for the last 10 years. That helped pave the way for me to be able to race, as well as create and build upon a lot of relationships in the industry. I also want to thank the Hiratas, the Samsels, Larry Dixon, Luigi Novelli, Mark Herzhauser, and all of our sponsors that have helped me up to this point. The late Bill Mullins was also a personal hero of mine growing up and helped make my move to Top Fuel possible. Of course, I also have to thank my family for all of their support and encouragement over the years.”
Smith also noted that current sponsors SP Tools USA and Red Line Oil will join him at SCAG Racing.
It’s been just over 24 hours since the announcement came out, and Smith is still catching up on all of the congratulatory messages he’s received. It’s given him a chance to reflect on the opportunities that led to this dream come true.
“I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get this opportunity, but I’ve tried to do the right thing in the right ways and learn from the best and work with great people,” Smith said. “I’ve had some great friends and mentors along the way that have helped me, encouraged me, and given me proper resources along the way to help get me to the next step and it’s finally, finally coming together.”
This story was originally published on January 9, 2026. 
