Will Smith Set to Make Nitro Funny Car Debut at IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series – Darana Motorsports Park

Will Smith is about to add another milestone to his already versatile racing résumé when he straps into a Nitro Funny Car for the first time in competition during the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series, November 6–8 at Darana Motorsports Park – Dunn (formerly GALOT Motorsports Park).

Smith, known for his success in Top Alcohol Dragster, including this win earlier this year in July in the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series at Darana Dragway - Milan, will take the wheel of the Herzhauser Racing Nitro Funny Car — marking his debut in one of drag racing’s most demanding classes.

“I’ve always wanted to race anything that burns nitro,” Smith said. “Whether it’s Top Fuel, Funny Car, or Fuel Altered — if it runs on nitro, I’m in. It’s what I’ve always been passionate about.”

The Alabama native earned his Funny Car license earlier this year with Paul Smith in Gainesville. Now, just months later, his fourth time ever strapped into a Nitro Funny Car will also serve as his first official qualifying run.

“Q1 at Darana Motorsports Park will be my first competition pass — no pressure, right?” Smith said with a laugh. “But I’ve been in that situation before. When I debuted [in Top Fuel] with Larry Dixon at Indy in 2022, my fourth run in the car was Q1 at the U.S. Nationals. I’ve learned to adapt quickly and trust my experience.”

That experience spans several classes and teams — from competing in Top Fuel with Luigi Novelli to Top Alcohol with the Samsels and Jamie Noonan, as well as Pro Mod competition in the South. Smith’s ability to move seamlessly between categories has made him one of the most versatile racers in the pits.

“I’ve been fortunate to drive a lot of different cars this year,” he said. “I just try to stay versatile and be ready for anything that comes my way.”

Smith’s first time in a Funny Car didn’t come with the usual warmup laps or practice passes. Instead, he went straight from strapping in to staging.

“The plan was to get towed around the pits and just get a feel for the car, but time ran short,” he recalled. “The first time I got in with the body down, we were headed to the lanes. But honestly, I felt right at home. You can’t be nervous in one of these cars. You’ve got to be all in — and I was.”

His debut pass was a solid one: a 4.17-second run at 310 mph, which turned out to be the quickest the car had ever gone at the time. 

“It felt great,” he said. “You can’t see much out of a Funny Car — you’re looking through the back of the injector — but once it launched, everything just clicked.”

The upcoming debut under the IHRA banner marks a new chapter for Smith as he joins a growing list of standout drivers competing in the Outlaw Nitro Series — a tour known for its fan accessibility, raw horsepower, and Ironman-worthy performances.

“I’m really thankful to the IHRA and to Mark Herzhauser for the opportunity,” Smith said. “It’s going to be special to make my first competition pass at Darana Motorsports Park, in front of fans who truly love nitro racing.”

Smith will represent a roster of partners who’ve supported his journey across multiple categories this season: SP Tools USA, Greenbrier Excavating & Paving, Robert A. Tull Inc., Hickory Enclosed Trailer Sales, Red Line Oil, LJ Wood at Affordable Transmission, Rob Boninfante at Boninfante Friction, Western Beef, OSP Solutions, Johnny Camp, Hussey Performance, Livery Art Studios, and Byron Inouye.

As he sets his sights on 2026, Smith is also looking to expand his Funny Car program.

“I’m excited to build on this debut and run more events next season,” he added. “We’re currently seeking marketing partners who want to join the team and be part of this next step.”

Photos by: Megan Smith, Robert Richard/BME Photography and Kristen Zahorsky