Smokies Garage has made a hobby out of specializing in custom race vehicles, hot rods, and motorcycles, which makes it a no-brainer for their name to be on the title rights of the PDRA American Doorslammer Challenge, May 23-25 at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. This event marks the third of eight points-earning races on the 2024 Red Line Oil PDRA Drag Racing Series schedule.
“Mike Clark and the Smokies Garage team have become a special part of the PDRA family over the last few seasons,” said Will Smith, marketing director, PDRA. “The Smokies Garage team always rolls into the track with one of the nicest setups in the pits. They’re a family-based group dedicated to performing well but also looking good and having fun while they’re at it, which fits right in at the PDRA. We appreciate Mike and his group supporting the series and the American Doorslammer Challenge.”
Mike Clark, a Canadian high-rise construction specialist, created Smokies Garage as his private workshop to turn his visions for custom hot rods and motorcycles into reality. The vision has now expanded to include numerous race teams, including a Pro Modified team with driver Scott Wildgust and tuner Brandon Snider. The Smokies Garage team will be represented in Pro Boost, adding another layer of support for the American Doorslammer Challenge.
“I like when there’s a good reason to support a good cause,” Clark said. “We’ve been involved with PDRA for three seasons. We want to support the PDRA every way we can to help make it a success. Norwalk is the closest race for us. It’s Norwalk. It’s ‘America’s Racetrack.’ I’m more than thrilled to sponsor the event and sponsor PDRA and keep the continued relationship with all the racers and the fans and the ownership of the PDRA. We’re proud to be able to sponsor the event and look forward to a successful race.”
Wildgust was absent from the first two events due to scheduling conflicts, but the schedule for this particular event is clear.
“We have a Harley race team that races with the AMCA, a land speed team that just set a record, then we have a drag-and-drive team. We also race in the NHRA with the Pro Mod and the Factory Shootout car,” Clark said. “We had to pick and choose what we were doing. The first two races in PDRA were conflicting, so we said we’ll pick up from Norwalk and finish the year, which is what we’re going to do.
“We’ve kind of changed our program,” Clark continued, “but what hasn’t changed is the fact that we feel like family with the PDRA.”
Fans are encouraged to stop by the Smokies Garage pit area to check out a pair of custom motorcycles that will be on display, along with a wide range of Smokies Garage merch.
The Smokies Garage American Doorslammer Challenge, presented by Callies Performance, will feature the entire PDRA class lineup, including seven heads-up professional classes, five sportsman classes, and two Jr. Dragster classes. Qualifying will take place on Friday, May 24, followed by eliminations on Saturday, May 25.
