“Tuning two cars is a challenge, but I learn so much from both cars and I can apply what I learn to all of the cars I work on. You're always learning something new in the sport of drag racing.”
With March in the books, Hartman Smith Racing prepares for a busy April and May. John “Bodie” Smith will be headed overseas to kick off the first race of the European Funny Car Series tuning for both West Ten Motorsports and Thermoreg Racing at Santa Pod Raceway April 19-21. John is looking forward to continuing his success with both drivers, Kevin Kent and Kevin Chapman, this season as they make a run towards the series championship. The following weekend, John will serve as crew chief on the Bob Gilbertson owned and driven Nitro Funny Car as well as continuing to turn the knobs on the Richards’ Nitro Funny Car at the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, NC. As you can see, John will be pulling double tuning duties not once but twice this month, however, he says he enjoys the challenge. Saying, “Tuning two cars is a challenge, but I learn so much from both cars and I can apply what I learn to all of the cars I work on. You're always learning something new in the sport of drag racing.”
After successfully obtaining her Super Comp Dragster License, Megan Smith now looks at upgrading her license and gaining experience in the process. “We are working on the Top Dragster that we tested some last year. Although we struggled with the car last year, we have gone through just about everything on the car over the winter and we are looking forward to taking the car to Atlanta Dragway soon to make some laps and hopefully upgrade my license.” Megan stressed the importance of having new insight from her experience at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School; “Now that I know what a good run is supposed to feel like, I can give vital feedback to my grandfather and my dad so they can make the correct adjustments. Right now, we just want a car that will go A to B with no issues.” Be on the lookout on the Hartman Smith Racing Facebook page for information on when we will be taking the Top Dragster out to test. Megan will also be helping her dad as she will work on Gilbertson’s car in Charlotte. Make sure to join our mailing list below to stay up to date on all HSR news, and like us on Facebook to get race updates and behind the scene looks at all the events HSR will be attending this month.
