Picture at I-77  Chester Speedway

 Buddy Smith

#08

Buddy Smith drives the #08 Late Model Class car.  His home track is Thunder Valley Speedway.  He lives in Cherryville, NC.  People who help Buddy are:  Lisa Stroupe, Tim Sigmon, Jeff Childers, Travis Childers, Bryan Beam, Jeff Reep, Rick Gordon, Scott Gordon, Buddy Thornburg (car owner).

He started racing in 1976 in the Limited Sportsman Class at Hickory Motor Speedway because he liked it.  His first win was in 1978 in the Limited Sportsman Class at Metrolina Fair Grounds.  Career highlights include Carolina Speedway Track Champion in 1980, '81, '85, '90, '91, '92 in the Late Model Class, Metrolina Fair Grounds Track Champion in 1980 and 1984 in the Late Model Class and Sugar Creek Track Champion in 1980, '81 and '82 in the Late Model Class.

The thrill of racing for Buddy is the money!  His most exciting racing moment was winning the Shrine Race at Carolina Speedway in 2000 after trying for 23 years.  He's most proud of all of the Track Championships he's won. 

Buddy's racing heroes are Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Of racing, Buddy says, "Go on every Friday and Saturday night!".