'Adrenaline junkie' Smith goes from bullriding to racing

Tony Smith had a different hobby before hopping into a race car nearly a decade ago: bull riding.

“I loved it. I was really good at that,” said the Jamestown resident.  “I’m an adrenaline junkie.”

He gave up bull riding in his early 20s, and a torn groin ended his comeback years later. His need for an adrenaline rush led him to stock-car racing; he started in the Bomber class at Jamestown in 2017.

Smith started out in the Bombers at Jamestown in 2017 and moved into the Wissota Midwest Modified class, where he stayed until 2025 when he hopped into the Wissota Street Stock class.

“It was a class I skipped, and I always wanted to race,” Smith said.  “I wanted to add to the car count, and this was as good a time as any. I’ve enjoyed it more than a B mod.”

Smith, who works for the North Dakota Department of Transportation, won his first career feature in the Bombers on July 14, 2018 at Jamestown.  His second career win came in the Wissota Midwest Modified class on June 8, 2023 at Sheyenne Speedway in Lisbon.

His first year in the Wissota Street Stocks saw him record two top fives and five top 10s in 15 starts.

“It went pretty good, especially for my first time,” Smith said. “I was comfortable in it within three races. Every time I got a new B mod it would take me eight races I feel like I was always in the top 10. This year I’m trying to stay in the top five.”

This year, Smith has found a comfort zone in the street stocks. He has nine top fives in 18 starts and has finished fourth or better in six features. The breakthrough came on June 19 at Brown County Speedway won he won his first feature in a Wissota Street Stock.

“Awesome – I had to hold back tears,” Smith said. “It’s only my third feature win in my life so they mean a lot.”

The win didn’t come easy, as he was challenged by Maria Broksieck of Goodwin – one of the top street stock drivers in eastern South Dakota for a decade – and held on for the win.

“I’ve always loved the high side …I used it and hit my marks and kept the momentum,” Smith said. “Cautions had me on edge and I did make some mistakes, but held on to it. Maria was there to put the pressure on me. I’ve been so comfortable in this car so a high side is where I can really try to shine and hold momentum.”

His goal was to get at least one feature victory, which he has done,, and also run for points at Brown County Speedway, Jamestown and Sheyenne Speedways.  He is currently fifth at Jamestown, sixth at Brown County and eighth at Sheyenne.

The street stocks are proving to be a good fit for the 40-year-old.

“I always say I’ll switch classes when I win a feature,” Smith said with a laugh. “This one, I might stick around for.”

Driver Profile

Tony Smith

Wissota Street Stock #1

Residence: Jamestown, N.D.

Age: 40

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