NASCAR’S Smith returns this summer
NASCAR driver and Fox personality Regan Smith returns to Riverside International Speedway this summer to race in the IWK 250.
The 40-year-old Smith will drive the Cat Car for Kids in the July 20 race in James River. It will be Smith’s fourth IWK 250 but first entry since 2009. He participated in three consecutive races, winning the 2008 main event, becoming just the second NASCAR celebrity driver to have won the iconic race.
“The IWK 250 is one of my favorite races to be a competitor in,” Smith said in a news release. “The atmosphere, crowd, track, and most importantly the kids make it a special event.
“Although it has been 15 years since the last time I ran it, I remember how challenging of an event it is – the competition is fierce and adds to how special the whole weekend is.”
The IWK 250 purse is over $100,000 with $20,000 guaranteed for the winner.
In his career, Smith has had 296 starts in the top three divisions and has won seven of those races.
He made his debut in 2002 in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The following year he moved to the NASCAR Xfinity Series and then full time on the NASCAR Cup Series in 2008, winning rookie of the year honours.
Smith, a native of Cato, N.Y., who resides in Troutman, N.C., has 224 Cup Series starts with a win in the 2011 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Since 2018, Smith has been part of the Fox NASCAR broadcast team as pit reporter.
Kenny Wallace is the only other NASCAR celebrity driver to win the IWK 250.
Tickets for the IWK 250 Super Weekend go on sale this Thursday.